Would you apply to a school that you know you can't afford?

[Anonymous]

There is a high school nearby us that is a GREAT fit for DS and pretty confident that he can get in and will be a strong candidate. But tuition is $57K and we are probably a donut family. $275K in HHI. While we feel we can afford up to $30K for tuition, we really don't think $57K is at all doable for four years of high school. (Not without raiding the college fund or stopping retirement savings both of which seems like a bad direction to move into).

Would it be worth going through the admissions process just to see if we can get financial aid? But what if DS becomes very attached to the school and then we do not get financial aid?

DS is currently in 8th at a K-8 so we are looking at a variety of options.

[Anonymous]

Yes always apply for financial aid. Under 300K HHI is considered low on this arena (which sounds crazy to say).

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

What does “donut family” mean?

[Anonymous]

You apply and set DC’s expectations that it might not happen. I think many families are in this situation.

What does donut family mean?

[Anonymous]

Yes apply, I couldn't afford a school my son went to but financial aid from the school helped a lot.

[Anonymous]

Donut family = makes too much to qualify for aid but too little to comfortably afford $50k/year tuition.

[Anonymous]

Most schools want socioeconomic diversity, not just extremes on either end. Apply and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

yes apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does “donut family” mean?

This.

But also: yes, apply for the school and also for financial aid. It is exactly what we did, though our HHI is significantly lower than yours due to an extended illness. We got 30% aid and adjusted our household budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donut family = makes too much to qualify for aid but too little to comfortably afford $50k/year tuition.

What is "comfortably" afford? It should not be comfortable for all to afford $57,000 per year. That is the issue. People want a luxury item but do not want to give anything up. Many can afford it and not give anything up but many should not and should have to sacrifice to attend. You realize $57,000 is. more than the average family makes in the US?

Where do you think financial aid comes from? Just curious? It comes from donations from parents like us that are paying full tuition plus giving an extra $5-$10,000 more per year but in order to do that we are cutting back on some things. Maybe not a larger home or something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donut family = makes too much to qualify for aid but too little to comfortably afford $50k/year tuition.

What is "comfortably" afford? It should not be comfortable for all to afford $57,000 per year. That is the issue. People want a luxury item but do not want to give anything up. Many can afford it and not give anything up but many should not and should have to sacrifice to attend. You realize $57,000 is. more than the average family makes in the US?

Where do you think financial aid comes from? Just curious? It comes from donations from parents like us that are paying full tuition plus giving an extra $5-$10,000 more per year but in order to do that we are cutting back on some things. Maybe not a larger home or something else.

Not sure why you’re ranting at me about the definition, we are full pay, and we scrape to do it. I’m just answering the question about a donut family. There are people who don’t qualify for aid and cannot rearrange their finances to afford private school. That’s what a donut family is. You don’t have to approve of their choices, it’s not about you.

[Anonymous]

No....If you have to rely on aid, you can't afford it. It's likely that tuition will continue to increase. So account for that also. Save yourself some pain and only look at the schools you can afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donut family = makes too much to qualify for aid but too little to comfortably afford $50k/year tuition.

What is "comfortably" afford? It should not be comfortable for all to afford $57,000 per year. That is the issue. People want a luxury item but do not want to give anything up. Many can afford it and not give anything up but many should not and should have to sacrifice to attend. You realize $57,000 is. more than the average family makes in the US?

Where do you think financial aid comes from? Just curious? It comes from donations from parents like us that are paying full tuition plus giving an extra $5-$10,000 more per year but in order to do that we are cutting back on some things. Maybe not a larger home or something else.

Not sure why you’re ranting at me about the definition, we are full pay, and we scrape to do it. I’m just answering the question about a donut family. There are people who don’t qualify for aid and cannot rearrange their finances to afford private school. That’s what a donut family is. You don’t have to approve of their choices, it’s not about you.

Post is directed at OP and at anyone that is concerned with comfortably affording private school tuition. The term comfortable comes up often. Comments directed at anyone that thinks it should be comfortable for all. Take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

OP - I would apply, but I'd also be honest with your son about what you are willing and not willing to do for HS tuition. I'm not sure how long your son has been at his K-8, but you've likely already made a considerable private school investment for him, and sacrificing college or retirement savings wouldn't be something I'd do, but everyone has to make their own choices. Of course, you run the risk you mentioned - tremendous disappointment with turning down a school you all love because of the costs - but by not applying you guarantee that you will never know if the school would have given you sufficient financial aid, either initially or when you tell them you son cannot attend without more aid.