Acceptance but No FA

DC has been accepted into top 2 schools applied for. Top school offered nothing while 2nd choice offered $$ plus awarded merit scholarship with a big balance left behind. Still waiting to hear from 2 more schools. Any ideas if this is negotiable??

Why if you applied for FA would they offer 0?? That wouldn’t even be an option! It feels like being rejected - is this typical?? First time applying for BS so not sure what the norm is with FA WL etc.

Any help/BTDT experience appreciated.

Can’t help unfortunately but I am wondering the same thing.

There are lots of posts on CC about this if you want to do a search. Basically, it’s not that uncommon. It means they thought that your kid would be a great addition to their community, but unfortunately, there isn’t enough financial aid to cover everyone that wants it and the allotment ran out before they could award any to your family. Once you know all of your options, you can make a plan. If none of the schools come through with enough FA, you might want to call the schools he is still interested in and explain that you want to accept, but can not without financial aid. and see if it is possible to be on a FA waitlist. Others can chime in with better information, but I know it’s anxiety producing and didn’t want to leave you hanging.

A classmate of CTKid1 in 8th grade was a great kid and great applicant. He was accepted to a few good BSs but with no or insufficient FA. They researched additional, smaller schools in the spring and found several with open spaces and FA available. The kid applied to a couple, received FA offers from both and is now thriving at a school that wasn’t on the initial list but has turned out to be a perfect fit and works for the family.

There are also kids who apply for FA but who have a grandparent or other relative who makes up the difference if they don’t get it.

While the school may not always have the budget to support you, they don’t always lose the kid.

And as noted on another thread, schools and families often differ on what can be contributed.

If you have a good option that is financially workable, be happy for it. It means they really like your kid.

Thanks so much for the reply I appreciate it. I did search and felt they were all pretty old and wasn’t sure if things had changed. A phone call will be made Monday as we wanted to come up with something reasonable and see what exactly
We could afford as well.