<p>Has anyone on CC asked for a financial aid revision at Bowdoin? Did it work? My S was accepted to Bowdoin and we were completely thrilled until we saw the financial aid award. Their idea of need and ours is quite different. He’s been offered great scholarships at other schools, so he has good options, but it’s so sad because Bowdoin was his top choice. </p>
<p>Apparently, it’s because we own the building that my business is in, the problem being that no building, no business. A mortgage is not an option because the business is art, not selling well at the moment!!! We live in northern Cal and property values in this area are half of what they were four years ago when we bought it. Even if we wanted to sell it, it would languish on the market along with all the other properties that are for sale and NOT selling. This asset is really not an asset at all.</p>
<p>Any experience to share?</p>
<p>I’m actually in a somewhat similar situation. Bowdoin gave me a much smaller grant compared to my other choices. I plan on calling and telling them that I can’t attend Bowdoin with their current grant, which is much smaller than X and Y schools (preferably schools that Bowdoin tends to compete with for applicants, aka AWS, Middlebury, Haverford, Pomona, Bates, Colby, etc.) You can probably make a much stronger case than me because Bowdoin is clearly your son’s first choice. Make sure you emphasize that he will most certainly enroll with a better aid package.</p>
<p>I don’t know have any experience with Bowdoin’s financial aid, but was just looking at Grinnell College’s website. If you go into their financial aid section, there is a discussion about negotiating, and the upshot is that people are not so successful with private colleges. I don’t recall the details, but it was from an interview with Grinnell’s admissions director, who has some position with college board. It was a general discussion, not Grinnell specific. Still, there’s nothing to be lost by appealing. We did that with both of our kids and got increased aid at the schools they attend(ed). In the current admissions year, schools might not be as flexible. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. Lefthandofdog, seems everybody says it’s a long shot, but has concrete examples of places where it worked. Clariss, we’re going to give it a try, after all what’s there to lose? Good luck!</p>