Can son ask for review of merit scholarship?

Paying for College
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<p>DS was given a great merit award from his first choice school ($20k, renewable X 4). We are thrilled and grateful, as it makes his attendance possible (or nearly so). My Q is whether there is any way to gently request a 'review' of the award, since his stats are in line (or well above) recipients of the 25k$ award. I DON'T mean to sound unappreciative or snarky here! We LOVE this school (Chapman University) and it is only because of their generosity that our son's dream can likely come true. </p>

<p>The reason I'm asking, despite the please-don't-take-this-wrong caveat: my understanding is that their merit awards are solely stat/numbers-based and the school is pretty transparent about that (GPA + ACT/SAT). But son's stats match the Presidential $25k award and are MUCH higher than kids who receive the $20k Chancellors. This $5k a year would make a huge difference for us. </p>

<p>He's been aiming for this school for quite awhile and had pretty good reason to expect that his index (4.27 GPA, 2300 SAT single sitting) would earn the Presidential. Kids given the Chancellor's have SAT scores, for ex., in the range of 1870-2000. Presidential kids appear to generally have 2100+. They don't post the exact threshold they use, of course, and I know that a private school has <em>every right</em> to do things as they see fit. But we know lots of kids who've attended over the years, we know their stats, and of course CCers post their stats for the various awards--and our son's match or exceed the level for Presidential. Chapman has never indicated that geog/SES/diversity or any other factor goes into these merit decisions. Perhaps they do, at times? </p>

<p>We love how transparent the school is about merit, as kids can have a very good idea (going into the application process) about what they will be awarded.</p>

<p>Would it be hopelessly tacky and ill-advised to ask the school to look at this? </p>

<p>We will adjust the financial end of it so that he can still attend in fall, one way or another, though it will be challenging. We are extremely happy with the school in every way. It's a perfect fit for our aspiring animator. :) </p>

<p>Any advice? Would it be out-of-the-question-audacious to ask for a review? Could son write a letter that is respectful, open and gently-inquiring? Or is this all a TERRIBLE idea (in which case you tell me to suck it up/forget about it/feel blessed)! </p>

<p>We do feel very blessed and grateful, truly! Middle-class husband and I just hoped that we might still be able to afford a movie out once or twice before 2016 is over, LOL. </p>

<p>Thanks for listening and for any advice you can offer.</p>

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<p>Of course, he should call and ask. He should tell them it’s his first choice school and that he so wants to go, and that an extra $5K would cinch the decision right now because things are tight with the family right now </p>

<p>My son called and asked because we were really a bit perturbed that he was turning down an excellent in state ivy option as well as another school that offered so much more. The admission counselor asked for proof via faxed letters, and then upped the merit award . Son did not say he could not go if it weren’t done, but that it would just make a very quick done deal. Doesn’t hurt to try. In your son’s case, he can bring up the fact that he does meet the higher award criteria and that it would just mean so much to his parents to get that extra.</p>

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<p>Hooray! I do think he can make a case for it; in fact, based on stats, it could be a slam-dunk. His portfolio was also considered stellar and he received an $8k ($2k X 4) talent scholarship in addition to the Chancellors. </p>

<p>Son is also admitted to fine publics (UCSD-Visual Arts and UCSB with Honors) and the situation is similar to what you describe. That said, we’d be happy for son to sign his SIR at Chapman-Dodge and write the check today if he got bumped up. </p>

<p>I am inquiring here as he very much does not want to come off as entitled–he is the <em>polar opposite</em> of that. Would a phone call or letter from him be best?</p>

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<p>Don’t expect a “yes”. We did not and were going to acquiese anyways, but I am grateful my son said he’d give it a go first. He did not say he was going anyways and he did not say he would not go if the answer was no, just that it would cinch the deal instantly and make the parents totally on board instead of asking him to at least look at the other options.</p>

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<p>Gotchya. We don’t expect a yes, but would be delighted if he got one. It certainly won’t be an ultimatum and our sensible, grateful son would not present it that way. It’s more a “this would instantly cinch the deal” situation for us parents. That extra bit would make this private significantly less costly than his UC options and we would be totally on-board/ready to have him let those go.</p>