Any way I can negotiate for more grant to replace the loan?

Paying for College
1

<p>Ok,here's the deal. I am a lucky international kid who got great need-based financial aid packages from 2 amazing schools: </p>

<p>School A: (no loan)
Parent contribution: 720
Student contribution: 750</p>

<p>School B:
Parent contribution: 2000
Loan: 2700
Work Study: 1600</p>

<p>I love them both, but I wanna go to school B more. Do you think I can send school B a request to revise my financial aid package to match school A's offer (should I fax them the financial aid award from school A?)? I don't mind the work study, but I don't wanna take the loan. I'm wondering if I can get $2,700 more grant. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated!!!</p>

2

<p>Try to be more Humble. Most resident students don't receive the aid that you are receiving. Just "my" thought.</p>

3

<p>Even the school B aid award is awesome...I'd go there if that is a better fit.</p>

4

<p>Both packages are amazing. And the loan amounts can be easily worked off quickly later on. If you want to negotiate, is School A on the same level as School B?</p>

5

<p>Always ask. If you don't ask, you are sure of changing nothing. If you do ask, the worst that could happen is they could say "no".</p>

<p>Send a letter describing your desire to go to B, but you're hoping to possibly improve the award. Include a copy of the A award.</p>

6

<p>you certainly have nothing to lose by asking </p>

<p>FYI, the info provided was incomplete for us to make any judgement at all about those 2 packages ... we have no idea about the cost of the 2 schools ... school B is asking you to pay more but might cost a ton more and be giving you a ton more aid than school A</p>

7

<p>@scotta: thanks a lot. I think that's what I'll do</p>

<p>@3togo: yeah, i should've said that earlier.
School A costs a bit less: about 43,000
School B: about 45,000
this is 2005-06, though.</p>

<p>@machiavelli: "If you want to negotiate, is School A on the same level as School B?"
I guess there's no need to keep secret about the schools. School A = Colgate and school B = Vassar. </p>

<p>@itstoomuch: "try to be more humble"
oops. Sorry if I sounded arrogant at all. I was just asking for advice regarding the aid and expressing how lucky I was, really! I know not many people got good deals like that, and I honestly feel a little guilty to ask Vassar for more 'coz their offer is already incredibly generous. Then again, it doesn't hurt to ask :)</p>

8

<p>If you don't ask, you have nothing to lose. Vassar may also ask for a compelling reason other than the fact that Colgate gave you more $$.</p>

<p>keep this in mind;</p>

<p>there is a difference between the way both schools packages their aid.</p>

<p>Colgate packages: 83% grants, 17% loans</p>

<p>vassar packages 75% grants, 25 % loans</p>

<p>Colgate may have more $$ which means they can offer a better package.</p>

<p>Look at things over the long run:</p>

<p>If you get Vassar to match Colgate, ask about how your package will look in subsequent years. You may get the match this year, but since you renew each year, you can still end up with the loans higher contribution in subsequent years. If any thing your victory could be short live and temporary and while you may have "won" the battle, you could ultimately lose the war.</p>

<p>unless there is a really appreciable difference in the programs, go to Colgate.</p>