<p>As the title says. Wondering what the chances of getting scholarship boosted to help bring down the price delta between a private school and a state U (after factoring in merit aid). This is merit only, no need based aid.</p>
<p>Anybody ask and get more $$$? Ask and get shot down?</p>
<p>Sent a pm to you.</p>
<p>I have the same question northeastmom if you want to answer in more generalities. I am in the same boat as above. My fav school gave me less merit aid than some of the others even similar priced schools.</p>
<p>Negotiating against a state school will get you no where in the process because :</p>
<p>You should compare apples to apples if you want to negotiate aid, it needs to be 2 comprable private schools (comprable in terms of cost, selectivity, student profile, ranking, and maybe even that horrible p word -prestige).</p>
<p>Schools that give only need based aid do not negotiate against merit aid packages.</p>
<p>Private schools do not negotiate against public universities especially if that student is in state. As remember the purpose of public universities is to provide an affordable educational option for its residents.</p>
<p>When you compare $19,000 to $47,000 and you are asking for more money you are actually showing them that your that if money is an issue, why look at a school that is over 2x the cost. The school will most likely think that if money is an issue, you should be at your state U (Don't let this website fool you because most students are looking at more "selective" schools as the majority of the students in this country attend state universities).</p>
<p>I have the same question as well..</p>
<p>OK comparing StateU might not be effective. Maybe just ask outright and just say cost is an issue. </p>
<p>Do have a hook, D would be girl at school which is 75-80% boys... what the heck can't hurt to try. Question is when, maybe later this week I'll give them a call.</p>
<p>Sybbie says that schools that only give need-based aid don't negotiate against merit aid packages. It makes sense, but I wonder if anyone has had success with this particular problem anyway?</p>
<p>S. received nice merit package to top LAC. In contrast, the Ivy packages were unsatisfactory. We're out of luck, then?</p>
<p>So LAC vs LAC is worth a try? I have another window open at this moment with an email for a college admissions officer (with whom I have had previous contact). Any tips before I send it? </p>
<p>I have been encouraged to write, but not to share the name of the other school. Does this sound right?</p>
<p>Seole</p>
<p>I thought colleges would only negotiate if the other college is similar in rank/selectivity......so wouldn't you have to disclose the other college's name?</p>
<p>Some privates play the discounting game. Lots of pretty strong students get merit offers. When dealing with those schools there is a substantial chance of getting more money. </p>
<p>Most schools try to avoid being played against each other and avoid "negotiating." They seem a lot more willing to "reconsider" based on "special circumstances." When asking for more money, it is best to cite reasons and special circumstances not covered by FAFSA. It often doesn't hurt to mention better offers from similar schools.</p>
<p>It doesn't hurt to mention better offers, you say....but do you mean specifically, as in the exact amount the other school offered?</p>
<p>I asked at Case and they said no lol. I've really only seen this strategy work at the very select colleges I wasn't accepted to. lol :p</p>
<p>
[quote]
S. received nice merit package to top LAC. In contrast, the Ivy packages were unsatisfactory. We're out of luck, then?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If the ivies gave merit money, most of students accepted would probably get for merit.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It doesn't hurt to mention better offers, you say....but do you mean specifically, as in the exact amount the other school offered?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You thank them for their offer. Request a financial review, let them know that school A is your s/d's first choice, they really want to attend, but school B is the more financially feasible option for your family. Then tell then things that they did not consider and see what they can do to close some of the gap.</p>
<p>We don't qualify for any need based aid, can we still ask colleges to reconsider their merit only based offer? D has:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>$22k/year at Pepperdine, leaving $8500 +room/board as our cost</p></li>
<li><p>Half tuition at USC, leaving about $17,000 + room/board as our cost</p></li>
<li><p>no scholarship at UCLA, leaving about $9000 + room/board</p></li>
<li><p>Full tuition + $3k yearly stipend at Baylor, leaving about $8000 total cost</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Probably her #1 choise of the above is USC if we could get the tuiton cost down.</p>
<p>Is calling or writing better. Do we send to financial aid or admissions?</p>
<p>I would search the FA forum concerning USC because there were a number of parents who complained about their aid packages especially stating that they were not consistent year over year.</p>
<p>I think that you must go back and look at what was need for each merit award. If Pepperdine required a lower GPA/SAT/Ranking for a higher amount of money then you may be in a good postion to ask for a financial review.</p>
<p>You must also look at what does each school offer and how much does it offer. If the school only offers, full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 tuition scholarships, they may not want to entertain specific dollar amounts.</p>
<p>It looks as if USC has specific requirements for their awards. You can go from half, to full but it seems that there is nothing in between (this means you may not get an increase in the scholarship $$ from them).</p>
<p>According to the college board USC, while they meet 99% of your demonstrated need, they package their FA as 63% grants and 37% loan/workstudy. </p>
<p>While it is important to look at merit from the front end (what school #1 is offering vs what school #2 is offering) it think that it is also extremely important to find about the fine print behind each of the merit offers to see if it is something you can live with. Let your sense of paranoia run wild. List every possible scenario and see if your questions will be sufficiently answered.</p>
<p>Does the scholarship have to be renewed each year or is the money given automatically each year?</p>
<p>Is it renewable for the same amount of money each year?
My concern about USC is that it states nothing about thier scholarships being automatically renewable. If you look at the awards for continuing students the amount of money drops considerably. </p>
<p>What are the gpa requirements to keep the scholarship?</p>
<p> USC requires a 3.0 min. GPA on 16 credits per term</p>
<p>Is it based on semester, or by year?</p>
<p>IS the GPA requirement a phase in process (2.75 first term, 3.0 after the end of the first year and gradually going up)? </p>
<p>Is the GPA requirement lowered for a "hard core" major (ex. engineering)</p>
<p>Considering your D'smajor, do the 2 of you think this wil be an onerous GPA to maintain?</p>
<p>What kind of saftey net is in place should your D have a difficult semester?</p>
<p>Is there a minimum amount of credits that the student must register for?</p>
<p>What happens if she drops a class?</p>
<p>If D does not meet GPA requirement, is the scholarship lost immediately?</p>
<p>Should scholarship be lost is there a provision for scholarship to be renewed upon raising the GPA?</p>
<p>Have the student write a letter stating what he/she will contribute to the school and any other awards recieved since applying. Send all other offers to the college as well. Send to the Director of fin aid. We called to ask the procedure. Good luck.</p>
<p>Sybbie, I know for a fact that the USC merit scholarships are automatically renewed each year when the 3.0 gpa requirement is met. </p>
<p>Also, USC need based aid is consistent and generous. I would like to know where this statement of yours is coming from: "If you look at the awards for continuing students the amount of money drops considerably."</p>
<p>their won website where they list merit aid for continuing students</p>