<p>I was accepted by 2 schools (school A and school B). School A is private, my dream school and is clearly my #1 choice. School B is a smaller LAC (not one of my top choices) but it has offered me a better fin aid package. The LAC offered me 10k/yr (excluding loans) and school A offered me one of their highest scholarships - half of school A (they have weak fin aid packages). Another point to consider is that they are situated within 30 minutes of one another, and are competitive with each other. Is there a way to talk school A into at least matching the offer from school B? Because as of now, the total cost of school A would be approx. 27.5k/yr (scholarship taken into consideration), and even that amount is 5k more than my EFC... How should I go about negotiating with them, and what can I expect? And who should do the negotiating - the student or a parent? Over the phone or in person - is there any difference?</p>
<p>Similar question and some answers here</p>
<p>thanks for the link swimcatsmom. yeah i already checked out the thread and it is very helpful.</p>
<p>anyone? any help/advice would be great</p>
<p>anyone? please</p>
<p>bump
10 char</p>
<p>Last year I appealed S's aid at 4 schools. Each was successful. Here are my recommendations:
1) Have a parent handle this. I don't expect my 18 year old to be able to handle this. He just doesn't have the experience and financial knowledge of an adult. Other adults (f/a administrators) have also been known to take advantage of the fact they are dealing with very young adults.
2) Do it in writing. It's too easy for them to dismiss you via phone. I have also gotten lots of wishy-washy answers from folks in f/a. Putting it in writing forces them to read, digest, and respond.
3) Just requesting more money won't be nearly as beneficial as a more meaningingful reason for more money: medical bills, unemployment, sibling tuition, elder care, etc.
4) Include a well written, respectful letter detailing everything you are including--then include all the documentation. Include the fact this is your S or D's 1st choice school, if that is true.
5) Enclose copies of f/a awards from schools in the same selectivity range. Carefully word how perhaps you "omitted" information, etc. from this school's application, seeing as its award is so different in amount from some others.
6) Do not confuse merit vs. need awards. If one school gave a large merit award, it does not mean a need only school will match it.
7) Mail it certified, return receipt</p>
<p>thank you so much for the reply sryrstress! those are some very good points, some of which I never considered. I've never heard about writing a letter though - only calling. I wonder which method is more efficient?</p>
<p>Calling may be more efficient time-wise, but I find letters to be much more productive in producing a result--not just in college f/a, but in most things. There are too many gate-keepers involved in phone calls, and I have found that a letter more often tends to be routed to the correct level of employee who has the appropriate amount of authority--those that are empowered to say "yes" in addition to "no".</p>
<p>ahhh i understand. Ok I will be contacting the school in a couple days - does anyone else have any advice to go along with srystress's good points?</p>
<p>Machiavelli</p>
<p>We met directly with the director of financial aid at my son's school
Discussed our reasons in detail for requesting more aid....They immediately increased grant $ by 6000 which was a big help</p>