I was accepted ED but did not receive enough financial aid and now I’m not sure I’ll be able to attend. I’m taking a gap year and there is still a chance that I can go in the end, but I’m just not sure. Do you think that I could be released from my ED commitment but still have the school hold my spot in case it turns out that I can go? Thanks
No, if you can’t afford it now you can’t afford it a year from now. They will not look kindly on you breaking the ED agreement this late in the game.
You should have reviewed your FA package and made this decision before you accepted the offer.
Right now you are headed into your gap year, so you don’t really have to do anything until you get your aid package next year. So just wait for that. Then if it is unaffordable, you can tell the college that you aren’t coming.
If you want to apply elsewhere, that might be more affordable, then you have some thinking and organizing ahead of you. It is bad form to apply while holding a space during a gap year, so most would advise you to withdraw your enrollment now. How much money do you need? Is every place on your potential application list the sort of place that cares about ED or deferred enrollment? Will your high school send transcripts and will your teachers write the letter of recommendation needed for another round of applications if you are on record as having committed ED and then taken a gap year?
Did something change with your family finances since you accepted your ED offer? If that is the case you may want to contact the school’s financial aid office and try to work something out.