<p>Please help! I really don't know what to do. I applied to a few boarding schools, requesting Financial Aid. Two schools offered me financial aid, each school's package was about $25000. My parents would have to come up with $14000 - $16000 additional tuition money. </p>
<p>They just don't have it. Their EFC was 0. My mom is trying to get a 2nd job, so that she can help pay for my tuition, but we need to send in our contract by 4/10, along with a $2000 check. My parents told me tonight they don't have the $2000 to send in. They feel so bad and so do I. I don't know what to do. I don't want to burden my parents anymore, but I have had my heart set on boarding school. My parents are trying their best, but my dad was laid off from his job. He did get a new job, but at about half his previous salary. </p>
<p>I was accepted for 10th grade and I know if I wait another year, it will be that much harder for me to get into boarding school. I'm devastated right now. Any thoughts on what we can do?</p>
<p>Phone both schools and speak to the FA people. Tell them your situation. Find out what if anything you can work out. No idea what schools you applied to but don't give up just yet. Clearly the schools must have known of your dad's job loss. Communicate with your schools.</p>
<p>call the financial aid director at the school you want to go to and tell them about your old man's situation. if it occurred after the time he submitted his financial aid questionaire to that financial aid service, then the change in his job circumstances should warrant a review of your situation by the school. these schools have the dough. just explain the change and that should adjust their formula in your favor. good luck.</p>
<p>Yes, you should probably have your parents call (since they are the ones paying). If your father was still at his previous place of employment when the FA form was filed, they should make the school aware of his job loss and subsequent decrease in salary. Also, they can probably waive the $2000 enrollment fee or lower it to an amount your parents feel they can afford at this time. There are also multiple financing/loan options (but 60K can be a large amount to be paying off for hs when college looms on the horizon....and the FAFSA won't take high school loans into consideration). It's definitely worth appealing your package. Good luck!</p>
<p>Call the schools, let them know your situation.<br>
Some schools are not so straight at deposit (the schools we might attend allow deposit after 4/10, but need to let them know you definitely will go).<br>
Ask them if they have other payment options, some has payment plans allows you pay tuition in several INTEREST-FREE installments. I don't know if this will work for you, but don't give up. <a href="http://www.tuitionpayenroll.com%5B/url%5D">www.tuitionpayenroll.com</a> is one of it.
Good luck !</p>
<p>My dad had lost his job in 2006 and it took him about 7-8 months to find another job. This information was on my parents FA information, so the schools know about it. My dad called the schools after we received the financial aid grant, asking if we could increase it (even with a loan), but the schools said no. Neither school has a huge endowment, so the $25K is about the max they ever give. My parents thought they could still swing the tuition if my mom got a 2nd job. But, because we needed money while my dad was laid off, he sold some stocks. Now, he just got his taxes from the accountant and he owes a lot of money to the IRS--capital gains. So, the money my parents thought could go toward the $2000 contract fee, has to go to the IRS.</p>
<p>I really think they can give you a break on the deposit....you would still pay it when you pay the remainder of your tuition....you just wouldn't need to come up with it by April 10th. See if you can send in maybe $500 (have your parents request that amount), then ask them to write a very detailed letter explaining everything you have said here. Send it to the fa director.</p>
<p>I am going to agree with most of what has been stated here and i will give you a personal perspective. My son was in a similar situation on 3/31. I wrote an e-mail requesting a reconsideration of financial aid and we assured the school financial aid director that we would attend if we received our EFC. On April 2nd we received a new award meeting our demonstrated need. I suggest you send an appeal to each school and let them know the other school to which you were accepted and see what happens. I admit that our experience may not be the norm noneteless you have nothing to lose. Do it ASAP.</p>
<p>As bad as you feel, is sounds as though your parents feel worse! I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Some schools will pro-rate the deposit according to the amount of aid you were awarded ( if you were give 60% FA you only have to pay 40% of the deposit ). It doesn't sound as though this is the case at your school. Also, even if you were able to get the deposit, how realistic would it be for you to be able to come up with the rest of the tuition? Do you think your family's financial situation will be changing in the near future? Do you have grandparents who can help?
As much as you want this, it is important to remember that you have to save for college. I really hope things work out, but if they don't, work hard at your current school and focus on getting into the college you want. Good luck, and I have my fingers ( and toes ) crossed that things will work out for you.</p>
<p>At this point, perhaps the best thing to do is go look your Mom in the eye and tell her not to worry about it. I’m sure you realize they don't "owe" you a boarding school education. You might reaffirm that together you have a lot to be thankful for, such as good health, a loving family, and your father back on track professionally.</p>
<p>Next fall, if you qualify for Saint Paul’s, Groton, Exeter, Andover, or Deerfield, I believe they pay 100% tuition for families earning under $75K. If you earn all A’s in your public school, score well on your entrance exam, develop your sport (or performing arts) to a high level, you have a good shot at getting in. (Don’t over commit to a bunch of extra-curriculars; just pick one and do it well). This is one way you might take control of your destiny.</p>
<p>I’m saying these things to you as someone who was in a similar situation and who walked the talk many years ago.</p>
<p>A lot of times things happen for the best and it’s not clear until later.</p>
<p>Try to take out a student loan, tell the school EXACTLY what's going on.
GIULT THEM INTO IT!
Geez this makes me sad...You have worked to hard for this, you DO DESERVE this. lack of money should not hinder you. APPEAL TO YOUR LOCAL CHURCH... Anything, dont just give up, please.</p>
<p>just remember, college is much more important than prep school. If your parents use up all their money paying for prep school then you'll be left with a HUGE college loan and that just zaps a good part of your income for the next decade or more depending on your salary once you graduate.</p>
<p>That is true....that happened to my oldest son. We have a large amount of prep school loans and he has an absolutely huge amount of college loans. In his case, though, he thinks it was worth it and wants his own children to attend his prep school one day.</p>
<p>I want to attend boarding school because I know it is probably the only way I will be able to get into a good college (loans or not). I am at public school right now and there are 38-40 kids in every class. It's hard to stay focused, because kids disrupt the class. I know that if I am in boarding school, I will take advantage of the small classes, the mandatory study hall, and the chance to be a leader. I know I will grow and mature in a way that I don't think I could at home. My parents feel so bad, because they were in this 100% as well and now don't know what to do.</p>
<p>my parents can't get a loan because they're overextended on their debt ratio or something like that. My mom talked to my grandparents,,,just in general terms and they were just like "well, if you can't afford it, then you can't afford it." I understand their position. They're old and worry about everything. But, I wish they would help me.</p>