Reply to ok, don't crucify me.. question about financial aid.

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I agree that the pool of applicants applying to private schools is more than likely not the people anyone would agree are "deserving" of FA. Over the years, I have participated in numerous school fairs representing my DC school and I have given admission tours. If the applicant pool is representative of those I have spoken to when doing either I can tell you the poor and middle class are not applying in high numbers. There a few programs out there whose mission is so increase the number of lower income families applying but again, I don't think the impact they are having is so overwhelming such that they are being denied FA because a school is choosing to give more to the middle class. If I had to guess I would bet that the lower range of income at an elite private school (excluding teachers who teach for the school and send their kids there) is probably $150k-$250k. The overwhelming majority of parents at these elite private schools are law firm senior associates, partners, corporate business owners, corporate lobbyist, doctors, etc. The next range are high level government employees, nurses, federal law enforcement etc. these people are in the $150k-$250k depending on whether both spouses earn about the same. I think a combined HHI of less than $100K is an anomaly at these elite private schools, -!: typically will be single parents when they are present. I can't speak to why that it is, but I can only assume it might be a lack of interest, unawareness that FA exist, no desire, etc. I'm having a hard time believing it's because they did not get FA though. [/quote]

I've applied at both the kindergarten level and middle school level for FA and while my child was accepted, they said I needed too much FA.  I fall into the single parent category you mentioned making less than $100K per year. I'll try again in HS.  One of the problems was that the estimated parent contribution report says I can only afford something ridiculously low like $1000/year. If they are going by that amount, no wonder they don't give me FA. Last year, I called one of the schools and said that I am currently paying appr. $9000/year in tuition at my DD's Catholic school and I put this on the application where it asks how much you can afford to pay.  She said that the application gave them the $1000/year amount. Hello?  I am telling you right now that I can afford $10K.  I even told them they could verify this with my DD's current school.  Very frustrating that these formulas are so random. [/quote]

Wow, that sucks and is crazy! I have heard that it is hard getting substantial FA at the Kindergarten level for a school that is K-12, because they prefer to allocate the money to the high school years. Have you considered looking into A Better Chance (assuming you a minority)? Sounds like you and your child would be a perfect candidate for their program. In addition to admissions assistance they also negotiate financial assistance. They work with kids at the 4th grade level for applying to 6th and 7th grade applying to 9th. [/quote]

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