Anonymous wrote:We have attempted to receive FA on numerous occasions and have been unsuccessful.

Does anyone have any tips or advice as to how to get even a little bit of aid??

Are you applying to schools with deep pockets? Are you applying to schools who have a comittment to offering FA? Many schools don't have the funds, and then there are some who truly don't believe in giving out FA. Also, what are debts? Are they mostly personal living style debts and not unusual circumstances? You won't get FA for high debt related to lifestyle choices but you may get FA for debt related to high medical bills, owed taxes, etc. Did you provide a supplemental statement explaining your financial circumstances? Like anything else, applying for FA isn't just a black and white numbers game. There is an art to it.

Anonymous wrote:Folks, it's not nearly as hard as you think it is to get FA.

Get up off the couch and apply.

+1.

We have attempted to receive FA on numerous occasions and have been unsuccessful.

Does anyone have any tips or advice as to how to get even a little bit of aid??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$165,000 HHI, $200,000 left on mortgage, no real savings or assets other than 401(k) and 529 funds. 4 kids in private school. We get 50% tuition at the most expensive school. Nothing at the other 2 schools.

How do you even eat after paying 4 half tuition?

Why do you care? She isn't coming to house asking for food.

Anonymous wrote:^^people are embarrassed? Really?

I would not have thought to apply simply because I thought FA was intended to help families who don't make a lot of money. (Not DCUM version of low HHI).

What exactly is your definition of "not a lot of money?" Perhaps your belief that you make a lot of money is a tad over inflated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, it's not nearly as hard as you think it is to get FA.

Get up off the couch and apply.

It is hard if you need too much.

Only those with a net worth of upwards of 10 - 15 million pay full tuition.

Anonymous wrote:Folks, it's not nearly as hard as you think it is to get FA.

Get up off the couch and apply.

It is hard if you need too much.

Folks, it's not nearly as hard as you think it is to get FA.

Get up off the couch and apply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a HHI of $310k and a $500k mortgage. One child. I thought there was no way we would ever qualify for FA and didn't apply, even though it's not like we have an extra $30k lying around each year. I was talking to a friend with two kids in private school at about the same income level as us. She said her family gets FA and that only the ultra rich pay the full sticker price. I find that hard to believe and would have felt ridiculous asking for FA, but I also wonder if she's right.

She's wrong. We have a mortgage half your size, income about half yours and have been paying full freight - using assets.

OMG why would you do this?

Anonymous wrote:$165,000 HHI, $200,000 left on mortgage, no real savings or assets other than 401(k) and 529 funds. 4 kids in private school. We get 50% tuition at the most expensive school. Nothing at the other 2 schools.

How do you even eat after paying 4 half tuition?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$165,000 HHI, $200,000 left on mortgage, no real savings or assets other than 401(k) and 529 funds. 4 kids in private school. We get 50% tuition at the most expensive school. Nothing at the other 2 schools.

This is very close to our situation, except we get 50% at two different private schools.

HHI is $225,000 and roughly $375,000 on mortgage.

Do you mind if I ask how many children? It seems to make a difference in some situations, but not in others.

Anonymous wrote:$165,000 HHI, $200,000 left on mortgage, no real savings or assets other than 401(k) and 529 funds. 4 kids in private school. We get 50% tuition at the most expensive school. Nothing at the other 2 schools.

This is very close to our situation, except we get 50% at two different private schools.

HHI is $225,000 and roughly $375,000 on mortgage.

Anonymous wrote:We have a HHI of $310k and a $500k mortgage. One child. I thought there was no way we would ever qualify for FA and didn't apply, even though it's not like we have an extra $30k lying around each year. I was talking to a friend with two kids in private school at about the same income level as us. She said her family gets FA and that only the ultra rich pay the full sticker price. I find that hard to believe and would have felt ridiculous asking for FA, but I also wonder if she's right.

You pay more so she can pay less.

^^people are embarrassed? Really?

I would not have thought to apply simply because I thought FA was intended to help families who don't make a lot of money. (Not DCUM version of low HHI).

Anonymous wrote:So the moral of the story is everyone should apply for FA, just in case?

Nope. Those who have some deep morale reason against accepting FA should certainly NOT apply. Leave it for those who appreciate that FA funds exist and aren't embarrassed to be a recipient.