<p>so we’ll get it soon!</p>
<p>ahhh, thank you for this! </p>
<p>getting in was step one...but getting in is nothing if I can't afford to go!</p>
<p>Happy, happy, joy, joy!!! :) :D :) :D :) :D :) :D :) :D</p>
<p>To all you admitted students: May the news from the Financial Aid office be as happy for you as it is for us. </p>
<p>And if you have any problems or concerns with your aid: CALL the financial aid office. I had the most wonderful conversation with them today that alleviated all my worries.</p>
<p>so i really love Barnard, but they didn't offer me much money ($5000/yr) and I also got into Berkeley, wayyy cheaper because its public. does anyone have an idea on if Barnard is willing to negotiate financial aid, especially if you are offered more money at other colleges? (Mt. Holyoke offered 15000/yr). Is 5000 the usual amt for an upper-mid income family?</p>
<p>busy negotiating the financial minefield...</p>
<p>I think that Barnard's aid is need-based only, whereas Mt. Holyoke might also give merit aid, so it really depends on your situation. I found that the people at the financial aid office were really nice and willing to answer my questions. You might want to show them the offer from Mt. Holyoke and see what happens. If the award from Mt. Holyoke is entirely need-based, then you might want to go over the figures again with Barnard to see why they are coming out with a different result. </p>
<p>I can't answer your question about the usual amount because we are definitely a lower-mid income family -- we'll be in luck if Barnard ever decides to match Harvard's offer of full rides to students from families earning under $60K annually. But for now, even with good aid, we're expected to pay more than we would at Berkeley.</p>
<p>ok. so while the mhc aid is merit based, and the barnard aid is need based, it won't hurt to try to use the mhc scholarship as leverage with barnard. most liberal arts colleges are willing to shell out a few extra thousand dollars in order to get a student under the guise of "need based."</p>