<p>Just wondering if any of the experienced student/parent "CCers" have successfully negotiated an improved Merit package. Is it best to start with a contact such as the interviewer who is familiar with the student (perhaps to see who they advise to speak with)? Or, make an appointment with someone from FA (I have heard that in-person is better than by phone)? Should the student make the phone calls and send the email or the parents since they may be better versed in dealing with Finances? Thanks for any insight you can share.</p>
<p>If you’re talking about merit scholarships, then you’d need to speak with the Scholarships office. If you can go in person, then fine. Often that’s not possible.</p>
<p>You need to talk with the person who has the POWER to make such awards. The person who answers the phone usually isn’t that person. It’s usually the director or some other such person. </p>
<p>Sometimes it’s best to write it all in an email and attach supporting documentation (such as awards from peer schools).</p>
<p>You need to have your ducks in a row. </p>
<p>Why do you think you should get more merit? </p>
<p>Are your test scores are very high for the school, then that’s a good point to make. Keep in mind that the Writing score of the SAT isn’t often used for merit…usually just the Math + CR. And schools often do NOT superscore for merit awards.</p>
<p>Are you simply asking for more merit to make the school more affordable, but your stats don’t really “merit” more money? </p>
<p>Does the school give large merit awards? If so, what kind of student usually gets them? Does the school have a strict number of awards?</p>
<p>Do you have larger merit awards from “peer schools”?</p>
<p>parents since they may be better versed in dealing with Finances</p>
<p>If you’re going to be talking about “finances”, then that sounds like a “need” issue.</p>
<p>All the things M2CK mentioned are valid. It never hurts to ask for more…all they can do is say NO. My son received big merit monies from his college back in 2008 in the form of both a Presidential and Departmental Scholarship. He had a GPA and SAT scores significantly higher than the norm for that department, so he simply asked for more and pointed out that statistical fact. His department award went from $20K/4 years to $28K/4 years, with no academic minimums attached. The Presidential Award had a minimum GPA stipulation. Good luck!</p>
<p>My son got more merit money by frankly telling admissiions he wanted to go there and was all set to send the commitment form and the check, except for the money issue. He had other schools with great reps that cost less, and his parents were balking. A little sugar in the form of more merit if at all possible would seal the deal now. He got it.</p>
<p>Does talking to the scholarship office ever get an increase to an upper classman that has a scholarship? With tuition and other costs increasing each and every year, the freshman award is not so generous come a few years later…</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>you can try, but not likely. this issue is a common one when an award is for a set dollar amount. Schools don’t have much of an incentive to increase the merit for current students. </p>
<p>Your Stafford loan amounts increase. does that help? can you work over the summer to earn the difference?</p>
<p>Leiqeltk-
all my kiddos had awards and each year “visited” their financial aid/scholarship office after their initial packages had been sent. An aid package can always be revised. The worst they can say is no. And maybe the increase will only be for a small amount but again in our case it did work.</p>
<p>Son’s sophomore year I counted 12 revisions. 12. Junior year 7. Daughter had at least 2 to 3 a year at a large public OOS and she was on their highest merit award. Department award was given, honors college, outside private entity…all different sources.</p>
<p>They just needed to show up and ask. Of course maintaining a high GPA, contributing to the community (various ECs), summer projects and research helped their case.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Thanks Everyone - Waiting to hear from one more school and will then as Mom2collegekids put it, have our ducks in a row for our son to present his case. If anything it will be a good experience in self-advocacy.</p>