though i admit i know nothing about applying for school or financial aid for a canadian school.

this looks promising: http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/fa/

i realize you have probably seen this already, but the finaid process outlined here doesn’t exclude you because you’re applying in april: http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/fa/government/usapp.htm

lots of people, particularly first-time freshmen, don’t apply for financial aid ahead of 4/15 (happy early birtday, btw) because their parents don’t have the tax info ready before then. the ‘priority deadline’ is there to help the financial aid people, it’s not there to exclude you from getting a grant or a loan or work-study.

the most important thing i’ve learned about the financial aid process is that almost everything can be appealed. the people at the university want to help you, for the most part. ask questions. ask for help. this is important enough that you need to be aggressive in seeking the help that you need for this process.

i understand that it is overwhelming, but as long as you got your application for admission under the door by their deadline, and as long as you get on your FAFSA application *now*, and ask for help from U. Toronto *now* if you need it, you should be fine.

if you have to send for transcripts from high school and it’s going to take a while, ask for an extension if it means you might not complete your application on time.

this is the hardest part. you’re so intelligent that i know you will bloom once you are in school. don’t let the process stand in your way. and you may not want to hear this, but don’t set your sights on just one option–toronto–if it means you inch closer to giving up. there are other options for right now, and you can always transfer to toronto later. it’s not going anywhere.

I’m glad to see you posting again. I think of you often.