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Hi. My family has been in America for about a decade, and we literally started from NOTHING, i'm talking minimum wage here. Today, we live in Almaden in California, a relatively well-off neighborhood. My parents have spent the past 13 years working their way up in the job market, and buying our house. This has left them with NO opportunity to save any money for my college education at all. Although our gross income last year was $140,000 (with an EFC of like 40-50k) the high living expenses in our area leave my parents with no way to contribute anything near that number. Do colleges (specifically, Carnegie Mellon) take any of these factors into account? Or do they just go straight by the FAFSA? They won't talk to me until i get my FAFSA to them, which should happen in the next few days. Meanwhile, I'm freaking out over here that i won't be able to go to Carnegie Mellon, my #1 choice.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

Ya it is pretty frustrating, the estimated cost of living is averaged by what state you live in. We live in Seattle, which is also quite pricey, but we are assumed to have same cost of living as those on other side of mountains where costs ( and jobs) are lower.
You can always appeal your finaid decision, some schools are quite accomodating. Some are not however, which is why is good to have a choice of fin aid offers to compare.
Since interest is so low, might be a good time for parents to refinance and get some cash out to help for education. Just a thought

By Lhomme (Lhomme) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

Btw, from experience, CMU is quite cheap with financial aid. Its a reason why I as well as some other accepted applicants turned the school down.

By Greenmoo04 (Greenmoo04) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 12:16 am: Edit

Same here. My parents were here for 20 years, and they bought a house within 6. Then they bought another in 3 years after that. They're not rich, just middle class. Family income is only a little less than 100,000, but they have stocks and mutual funds. My sis is in UCI, and her FAFSA stated that she qualifies for a $2000 LOAN. I'm applying to Boston U, I heard they have great financial aid, but can anyone comment on my financial situation? We're in the upper-middle class neighborhood, parents have already refinanced several times. Would I get extra consideration since UCI is a public and BU is private for FAFSA? And what are my chances at BU's aid?

By Serene (Serene) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 10:52 am: Edit

Well... FAFSA does include how much your family saving is. And plus, additional difficulties can always be listed in... um... that one blank section (I think it's Section Q, but it's been a while) =))

Always, always talk with Finaid officers. They can be very understanding.