Are there chances for aid if waitlisted?

Paying for College
1

<p>Sorry if this discussion has been held before. Dear D was waitlisted at her choice of college, but offered a generous aid package at an area college she would prefer not want to attend. Does anyone have any experience with the results of financial aid applications if one is waitlisted? I'm wondering if the aid goes to the initially accepted students, and whatever might be left over distributed among persons selected off the wait list. </p>

<p>And a request for advice: if D really wants to attend her choice of college but it will require major student loans vs. attending the less preferred college (in this case, the quality is good but not as exceptional as the desired college), would you encourage her to "follow her bliss" and take the high student loans or go for the other college which could leave her with much less debt? I have grave reservations about forcing her to accept something she believes would make her unhappy, even though I believe she would eventually adjust. Parents (us) are older and lower middle class, so there is not much cushion for us to bail her out if things get tight in the future. Any insight and wisdom from the experience of the group would be gratefully appreciated. Best to all the rest of you, too!</p>

2

<p>Some colleges will still give aid if you are waitlisted, but some won't, you need to call and ask the specific college. Your 2nd question only you and your D can answer. It depends on the 2 schools and your D's needs , learnning style, best overall fit. My S went to the more expensive school and gave up scholarships galore for Pomona but it was the best fit for him by far. My D gave up her first choice school Pepperdine at 43,000 only loans to pay half as much at USD as Pepperdine was not worth it to her to be in debt that much prior to 3 years of grad school after. It is such an individual isue.</p>