<p>Does anyone have tips on how to handle asking for more merit aid? </p>
<p>I assume I should call in person, but who should I contact?</p>
<p>What details should I prepare to argue my case?</p>
<p>Current thought is to say college was S's first choice (it really is) and he has received a competing offer from a comparative school that costs 10k less per year. But he really has his heart set on your school....etc....</p>
<p>Thinking it is worth a try, what's the worst they can say... no :-)</p>
<p>Contact the financial aid office I think you have the right details listed. Based on the way you’ve worded the competing offer, does the other school COST $10K less? Is their grant offer higher? I don’t think I would get into a Cost discussion but keep it at net price.</p>
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Have your son talk to the FAO. Schools often don’t negotiate well with parents.</p>
<p>^^^I disagree. It is completely appropriate for a parent to step in once hard talk about finances comes to play.</p>
<p>When the issue is money, parents often are the preferred people to initiate contact. Too often, kids really can’t “talk” to the issue of family finances.</p>
<p>When kids call, the conversation often ends up being ridiculous with the parent trying to hear what’s being said so that he/she can feed the child with the appropriate responses.</p>
<p>If the applicant has earned additional achievements that RPI is unaware of, then by all means he should ( perhaps with a note from his high school counselor?), contact them about the details, restating his desire to attend.</p>
<p>Im assuming you are hoping RPI will lower their cost to meet RIT, not UConn. ;)</p>
<p>I dont know many kids in engineering, but from what I do know, I wouldnt say that RIT would be considered in the same tier for RPI to offer him similar merit award. RIT seems to be a regional school while RPI is nationally ranked. You can certaingly suggest he try however.</p>
<p>If the student was applying to two full need met schools but one came up with a very different idea of need, I would recommend the parent to contact the financial aid office, but for reconsideration of merit awarded, I expect the student can handle claryifying his awards & achievements.</p>
<p>Actually if your son already won the RPI medal, it doesnt appear that the school combines awards.</p>
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