Schools that offer a lot of FA

[Anonymous]

Just curious- Has anyone been offered nearly all of a school's tuition in financial aid? If so, which school and what % of the total tuition was a FA award?

[Anonymous]

Just apply and see what you get.

[Anonymous]

Responsive answer. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I will apply but when you need lots of FA, I can't afford to spend $50 per school plus the FA fee just to "see what you get."

[Anonymous]

OP Have you discussed things with the admissions office?

[Anonymous]

P.S. I know a student who got a full scholarship to Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Or FA that covered 100% tuition.

[Anonymous]

Schools can waive the FA application fee (if they are willing to). The school where I work (I'm an AD, as you guys call it), will waive the application fee on request also. Hope other schools do that as well. That said, we tend to stay around 75% of need. Especially if a child has actual parents raising him (at least one), as opposed to grandma or a guardian or such, they are definitely expected to put what they can toward the tuition. I would look on schools' websites and see what there financial aid percentage is (percentage of students who receive), what the average award is, etc. Most schools have a good bit of that information on their website. Then I would call AD's and ask if they will waive the application fee. Then call the FA person (if diff from AD) and ask for fee waiver for FA application. (Never understood why they charge you $ to apply for FA).

[Anonymous]

We would need to know more about your situation pp. Do you have a spouse that works? Do you work? What assets and debt do you have? How big is your mortgage.How many children? Boys or girls? Where are you thinking of applying? Do you fulfill any sort of diversity goals of the schools?

Yes, some schools give 100% fin aid based on the financial aid formula...you'll need to show your tax returns and completed fin aid forms.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. I am a single parent. No mortgage. I rent. I have a 5 yr old son who will be in K next year. I work and make about $40,000/yr. No assets but my paid for car. My son is biracial. No other kids. I have some credit card debt and a bit of a student loan left to pay. I will definitely ask to have the fee waived.

[Anonymous]

PP -- with your situation you should qualify for quite a bit of financial aid at the private schools -- Catholic Schools will give less because they generally cost a lot less. If your son does well on the test and has good interviews -- I'd bet you'd get almost all of the tuition. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

To the single mom. Just so you know your ex husband or father of the child will also have to fill out his portion of the finanical aid packet (meaning you will need his taxes, etc). So if he makes alot more than you it may mean you get less even if he isn't giving you your fair share! This happened to me...ex husband has his new family to raise and gives us what is required by the courts (however his taxable income is low because he can write off alot of business expenses). Needless to say I make
$ 50,000 and we got zero aid. I assume they based his income on gross not net taxable income. Just wanted to let you know!

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. I'm the OP and my ex makes less than I do and he is onboard with filling out the forms too.

[Anonymous]

40k a year income = full ride if your son is accepted.