Should we pay non-refundable deposit before seeing final FAFSA aid package?
My son just got a great scholarship offer from his top-choice private college (not merit-based), and he's pressuring me to commit RIGHT NOW because he's worried about losing dorm selection and class registration. The problem is, I don't feel comfortable paying the non-refundable enrollment deposit ($750) until we see the complete financial aid package. We just corrected our FAFSA this past Friday (our SAI is 432), and I'm hoping the college might offer additional aid once they process the updated information. We've been saving for college and don't plan to take loans, but I still want to make sure we have all the information before committing. The financial aid office said it could be another week or so before we get the final offer. My son keeps sending me texts every few hours asking if we can just pay the deposit. Am I being too cautious here? Should we just go ahead and commit now or wait until we have the complete financial picture?
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NeonNinja
With an SAI of 432, you're likely to qualify for significant aid. I'd recommend waiting until you have the complete financial aid package in hand. Enrollment deposits are designed to create exactly this kind of pressure, but most schools will work with you if you explain the situation. Have you tried calling the admissions office to explain that you're waiting on final FAFSA processing and ask for a few days' extension on the deposit deadline?
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Diego Vargas
•That's a good idea about asking for an extension. I hadn't thought of that! I'll call tomorrow morning. I've been trying to explain to my son that we need to be patient, but he's so worried about getting a bad dorm assignment that he's not thinking straight.
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Anastasia Popov
my daughter went thru this last yr. we paid the deposit then got more aid later and they just applied it to tuition. if u can afford the deposit and ur kid really wants this school its probably worth it for peace of mind!!
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Sean Murphy
•This is risky advice. If they get the financial aid package and it's not enough, they'd lose the deposit. With a non-refundable $750, I'd personally wait for the complete package, especially given the recent FAFSA correction.
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Zara Khan
WAIT!! don't pay yet. colleges use these deadlines to PRESSURE families into committing before they can compare financial aid packages. With your SAI of 432 you're probably eligible for significant need-based aid, but if you commit now you LOSE LEVERAGE in any negotiations!!! I work in higher ed and see this ALL THE TIME. Tell your son the potential savings are worth waiting another week for.
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Luca Ferrari
•This happened to my cousin. Paid deposit then got terrible aid package. College wouldn't budge because they already had his commitment money.
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Nia Davis
Have you tried reaching the financial aid office to ask when exactly they'll process your updated FAFSA? i had to call literally 12 times over 3 days before i got thru to anyone at our school's fin aid office last month. the wait times were insane
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Mateo Martinez
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Sean Murphy
Financial aid professional here. With an SAI of 432, you definitely want to wait for the updated aid package before committing. That SAI puts you in a very strong position for need-based aid at most private colleges. The school is legally required to provide your official aid offer before you make a binding commitment. Try these steps: 1. Email the financial aid office explaining your corrected FAFSA was just submitted 2. Ask for a written extension of the deposit deadline until you receive the updated package 3. Request an estimated timeline for receiving your updated package Most schools will grant reasonable extensions when FAFSA corrections are involved, especially with such a low SAI. Don't let your son's anxiety drive a financial decision of this magnitude.
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Diego Vargas
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice. I just emailed the financial aid office with exactly these points. My son isn't happy about waiting, but I've explained that potentially saving thousands in aid is worth dealing with a less-than-ideal dorm situation.
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Luca Ferrari
when i was applying to college my parents made me wait for all the financial aid packages and I HATED them for it but now i'm so glad they did because my "dream school" ended up giving me way less aid than my second choice! ended up at second choice with no debt instead of drowning in loans at my first choice
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Diego Vargas
•That's really reassuring to hear. I keep telling my son that this is a financial decision as much as an emotional one, but it's hard for an 18-year-old to understand that.
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Zara Khan
UPDATE US when you get an answer from the financial aid office!! Really curious what they say about the extension.
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Diego Vargas
•I just got off the phone with them! They agreed to extend our deposit deadline by 10 days, which should be enough time for the updated aid package to come through. They were actually really understanding about the FAFSA correction situation. My son is still anxious but at least we have a clear timeline now. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Anastasia Popov
the whole college process is SO STRESSFUL!!! our fafsa got flagged for verification last year and we nearly lost our deposit window too. glad they gave u an extension!
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NeonNinja
•This is why it's so important to file FAFSA as early as possible and make corrections promptly. The new FAFSA timeline for 2025-2026 should hopefully reduce some of these timing issues, but it's still a complex process.
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Yuki Sato
That's fantastic news about getting the extension! You made absolutely the right call waiting for the complete financial aid package. With your SAI of 432, there's a real possibility of significant additional aid that could save you thousands over four years. Your son might be anxious now, but he'll thank you later when he graduates debt-free or with minimal loans. The 10-day extension should give you plenty of time to make an informed decision with all the financial information in hand.
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