<p>I've been advised to send a letter to the each school's financial aid departments explaining that this year was an unusual year for us. We are self employed and our income was higher than usual and we had a one time inheritance that was spent repairing our older house. This year's financial picture shows dividends and interest income for assests we no longer have. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, when should this letter be sent? It seems we should wait until after acceptance is received but on the other hand I think one of the schools will be sending the financial offer along with the acceptance. Thanks for any advise.</p>
<p>Now would be good</p>
<p>Thanks citygirlsmom. I did it.</p>
<p>It is always good to send a letter about any special circumstances because you just never know what money the school has available, how strongly they want the student,and what leeway they have in putting together packages. It never hurts and it just might make a difference.</p>
<p>I sent the letter already to the school I am sure will offer financial aid along with acceptance. For the other schools I plan to wait until hearing a positive acceptance and then only send the letters to those schools. What do you think? I'm guessing the acceptance status should be known soon, hopefully in a week.</p>
<p>I wouldn't wait at all simply for the same reason that all the schools advise us not to wait for an acceptance to send any other finaid materials.</p>
<p>In our case, there was a source of income that will disapppear on my son's 18th birthday, and we needed the schools to know that. We've been told by his super-safety--to which he's already been admitted--that they won't consider it, but he isn't really concerned about need-based aid there anyway. (They're looking at him for merit money instead).</p>
<p>Regardless of the issue, I think you would serve your own interests best by sending all info soonest.</p>