Hello fellow parents. My D got into a national top 25 school (private) without any aid or scholarship offered. It is her top choice. However, she also got into a top 35 national school (also private) but received $17k in scholarship/aid. The top 25 school in my opinion is more prestigious but I think they are quite comparable in terms of academics, according to the publications. Has anyone had a similar situation and successfully appealed the aid at the top choice by showing the other school’s aid/scholarship? I am not looking for the top school to match but to at least give us something. And is it ok for me the parent to initiate this or will the school look more favorably if the student does this? I worry about the school simply telling no to the student because they might get the idea she will go there at all costs but at least I can make a firm case. Any thoughts? I’d love to hear what other people think or their experiences.
IMO, parents can and should deal with the finances if the parents are paying.
If the schools are of the same type, you might be able to get them to compare, but if one is a merit award type and the other is Financial need only, it might be tough to sell.
ITA with @twoinanddone that the first conversation at your house should have been how much you are willing to pay or borrow for school. The second thing is if you have a pretty straight forward financial situation; no blended family, no non-custodial parent, not business owners,no other property outside of your primary home you would have gotten a ball park as to how much the top 25 was going to cost. The line for paying for college starts at your house.
Does the top 25 school offer merit aid or does it only give need based aid?
If they only offer need based aid, it doesn’t matter what someone else offered in merit aid; it will not be take into consideration
If the top 25 offers merit, what was the criteria for merit? Did your child meet it. If the top 35 was more of a match and the top 25 was more of a reach for your child she is not getting merit money. They are most likely not considered academic peers.
If your child received no need based aid and no scholarship aid either your child is not at the top of their pool, the school had big gaps in their financial aid or if they meet 100% demonstrated need, the top 25 feels that based on your income and assets you can afford to pay.
Ball is now in your court and you feel that you want/ need your hold to have more prestige then you are most likely going to have to pull out your check book and pay for it.
If you feel money is a big factor then your D needs to find something she likes about the top 35 (she did send the her application) and follow the $$.
@EmanuelChinoz Colleges will rarely match merit aid. You have nothing to lose in contacting the university, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Ok thanks all. Very helpful. I went ahead and filed a small appeal. I figured I have nothing to lose. If they give it to us, then that’s awesome! If not, then {gulp} I’ll have to “suck it up” and break out the checkbook.