Asking for more aid.

I had already filled the ISFAA form, and mentioned the total amount I can contribute. With the information I provided, the university managed my aid. Now, I want to appeal for more aid. How should I do it?

You can send them a letter or an email I believe. The thing about an appeal is that it is not always possible or easy to just get “more” aid. Typically you need some kind of additional information that the college didn’t already have (let’s say a parent/primary breadwinner in your family died after filling out the financial aid form). They took into account all of the information provided about your family’s financing when calculating your original financial aid offer, so just not wanting to pay that much money wouldn’t be a reason by itself.

Does this college claim to meet full need?

@DmitriR …Well, I am not sure, but they do provide full tuition scholarships which comprises of two scholarships. One is International Student Scholarships, and the other Merit-Based Scholarships. I was awarded $4k Merit based Scholarship for my GPA, and SAT scores. The range of merit-based scholarships according to the university’s website for my types of credentials is $5k to $11k.

Sure, ask. But first check the website. If it says there is limited financial aid for international students, then believe that.

You will have a better chance of success if you have had some change in financial circumstances that is not reflected on your original application.

Without knowing the school, it’s hard for us to tell you their policies…or even guess at their policies.

Many, many schools have limited financial aid for international students.

ETA…this is apparently for Miami University, Ohio. Their website clearly states that only. 50% of international students receive merit aid.

But sure, ask. How much more do you need to have to attend?

@thumper1 I would still require $2k-$3k to be able to attend comfortably. I would like to ask, but I am still doubting whether its right. How do I ask them? I mean, I don’t have any significant change in financial circumstances.

Ultimately, if your appeal is basically, “I want more money,” then you pretty much have to say that. Not in those words, of course, but something along the lines of, “This is my first choice school, and I would really love to attend but I am short $2K…”

That’s a little different though. Most schools have scholarships of some kind, but the key point is finding a school that promises to meet full need for international students. If a school doesn’t make that promise explicitly, then that means that they feel no obligation to make the cost of attendance affordable for internationals. Schools that do make that pledge are more likely to try to meet your need (as they calculate it, of course).

You can ask for more merit scholarships though. Can you tell from the website if the scholarships are awarded automatically (that is, if you have X GPA and Y SAT score they automatically give you $5K) or if you have to apply for them? They may have more discretion in awarding those which might help you get at least some money.

@DmitriR We don’t have to apply for those scholarships. They are automatically awarded.