Anonymous wrote:[]

I guess the lesson is that if you're applying strategically, don't be poor

Strategy is a ploy only for those with means.

Or don’t lie on your application about the schools you are applying to if you apply for FA.

Anonymous wrote:Also of note, the school was able to see every other school for which we applied using Clarity. The rep literally read down all of the schools.

And here I was thinking I was being strategic when schools asked what other schools we were applying to. They can see that information for any families using Clarity to apply for financial aid.

I guess the lesson is that if you're applying strategically, don't be poor

Also of note, the school was able to see every other school for which we applied using Clarity. The rep literally read down all of the schools.

And here I was thinking I was being strategic when schools asked what other schools we were applying to. They can see that information for any families using Clarity to apply for financial aid.

Anonymous wrote:How did you find out the clarity estimate?

Is it possible to see on the portal?

Clarity gives the school a number that they believe you can pay. A rep for one of the schools that we applied shared that number with us.

Anonymous wrote:How did you find out the clarity estimate?

Is it possible to see on the portal?

I'm curious about this too, as I did some searching and Clarity suggested they don't provide an estimated number.

How did you find out the clarity estimate?

Is it possible to see on the portal?

Anonymous wrote:Now that all my decisions are in, I can see that 3 schools had remarkably similar numbers. A 4th school offered substantially more.

One of the schools shared with me the number that Clarity said we could pay (we can't). That's the number 3 if 4 schools came back with.

We had two schools come back with the exact same tuition amount due for us, which was what I said we could pay. The third school came back with our tuition slightly higher. I have no idea what Clarity told them we could pay, but I'm curious since they were all similar and aligned with my estimate.

Now that all my decisions are in, I can see that 3 schools had remarkably similar numbers. A 4th school offered substantially more.

One of the schools shared with me the number that Clarity said we could pay (we can't). That's the number 3 if 4 schools came back with.

No, Clarity is just the vessel that gives the school your numbers to work with. What they determine from those numbers is often vastly different.

Oh really. Ok

no, we are at 2 different schools and each FA package is very very different. I think it depends on how much $ each school allots to FA.

Each school will make their own determination based on their budget, but the report they get from Clarity about what you can afford will be the same.

I haven’t used clarity, but I can tell you that the other services spit out a number. However, that number is just a guideline, and actual grants are completely dependent upon the institution’s FA budget and priorities. My kid was admitted to three schools and we got three completely different FA offers. I would be very surprised if the offers you get are identical.

We've been admitted to one school who uses Clarity for their financial aid application, but are awaiting 3/1 decisions. Do all schools that use Clarity expect you to pay roughly the same amount?