Financial aid (FA) in subsequent years after no FA in first year

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience with obtaining financial aid (FA) in the second and/or subsequent years after not receiving FA in the first year? We have a rising 9th grader at Sidwell but would be interested in hearing any experiences from GDS, Holton, Potomac, STA/NCS, etc.

[Anonymous]

Unless something changes in your financial situation, chances are you aren't going to get FA if you didn't get any this year.

[Anonymous]

I would call your school to find out if you did not qualify or if they did not have money to offer you. If it is because you did not qualify, unless your financial situation changes dramatically, you will not qualify in future years. If it is because they ran out of money then I would ask them if you are priority for next year or if it means that you never get aid, perhaps because aid for that particular class is fully allocated. It is totally reasonable for you to ask the questions as this is a huge financial decision for you and you need to know if you can sustain the commitment you are making.

[Anonymous]

First question: did you apply this year and not get any? Or did you not apply?

If you applied you can look at the worksheets that figure out the family contributions and see how it is worked out. That will give you some idea of what would need to change to get FA.

If you did not apply this year, and you have need next year, then Sidwell will treat you the same as all other FA applicants and try to meet that need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First question: did you apply this year and not get any? Or did you not apply?

If you applied you can look at the worksheets that figure out the family contributions and see how it is worked out. That will give you some idea of what would need to change to get FA.

If you did not apply this year, and you have need next year, then Sidwell will treat you the same as all other FA applicants and try to meet that need.

We did not apply for FA, as we feared that this might reduce our DD chances of admission.

To all posters thus far, thank you for this very useful advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First question: did you apply this year and not get any? Or did you not apply?

If you applied you can look at the worksheets that figure out the family contributions and see how it is worked out. That will give you some idea of what would need to change to get FA.

If you did not apply this year, and you have need next year, then Sidwell will treat you the same as all other FA applicants and try to meet that need.

We did not apply for FA, as we feared that this might reduce our DD chances of admission.

To all posters thus far, thank you for this very useful advice.

Good luck with your decision!