<p>
[quote]
Since I don't know all of the specifics of my parents' finances, I think that they might be able to best explain the issue.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Exactly why I was the person who requested the appeal and explained my situtation.</p>
<p>I know two unrelated people who got better deals by negotiating.</p>
<p>My son didn't really negotiate, just indicated he was disappointed (in merit offer) One school gave him an additonal $1500, the other school indicated they could not do anything more.</p>
<p>I believe in asking for merit money if you believe your level of achievement should get it. I've seen people get their merit award raised and I have a personal story where my son went from no merit aide to $17,500 per year. My son's story raises an issue that I haven't seen on a post which is that a college could make a mistake the first time they reviewed your application. Without mentioning the school's name, my son applied to his safety schools, his targets and his reaches. A safety, where we knew that merit awards were given to select students, sent back an acceptance but with no merit money. I called them, they pulled up my son's information, and we went over the criteria for getting merit money, comparing it with my son's record. The result of the call, which I followed up with an email, was that the school formally reviewed my son's materials again and sent him a letter with the highest level merit scholarship they give. So the lesson here is two-fold. First, the school could have made a mistake, and second, that if there's a reason to, a school will often review an applicant's records a second time.</p>
<p>bjjacohen, et al:</p>
<p>Thanks for the informative posts and encouragement. As a result my son will be asking additional consideration for more merit $ at his #1 choice school. His modest award was based on an early action application that did not include his mid-year grades. Although he has never tested lower than 760 on any SAT I or II test and has 5's on his APs, his grades were low in his frosh & soph years: ~3.2 at a Newsweek elite public HS. Jr year was much improved and his senior mid-year grades were stellar and include 3 APs & 3 dual enrollment. I hope this is enough for the school to award more merit aid. He has less expensive alternatives at schools that are acceptable to him, but quite naturally he'd like to go to his #1.</p>
<p>I tried to work with the FA people for something more than crippling loans and no grant, but they weren't accommodating in the least. After I hinted to FA in my final correspondence that he may not choose to attend, he got a call from admissions with apologies, but no more money.</p>
<p>It's also important to look at whether the school uses just the FAFSA to determine financial aid or the FAFSA plus supplemental information. The two can produce radically different EFCs and therefore different grant amounts, especially if the university guarantees meeting all demonstrated need.</p>
<p>I got into an Ivy, but the aid package they offered was far too small, so I wrote them a letter explaining some of my financial circumstances, and that I would really only be able to go if they improved their offer, so they changed from one EFC to the other EFC, and my aid package improved by about $10,000 in grants.</p>
<p>Remember that writing the financial office a letter can never hurt, so you might as well give it a shot. If the financial aid officers aren't willing to raise the aid offer, even if they're fundamentally opposed to giving you anymore aid because your reasons are bad or whatever, it's not like they're going to lower your aid package or rescind your admittance.</p>
<p>^^actually, i've heard its possible for them to lower an aid package after taking a closer look at your finances, but probably still very rare.</p>
<p>My daughter has been accepted to three LAC in Michigan/Indiana/Ohio area. Her top choice school offered the lowest merit scholarship. While I was composing a delicately worded letter to top choice school, the school which had already offered the highest scholarship sent us a letter increasing her offer by $2000. In light of recent decisions by Harvard and Yale to use more of their endowment on student merit aid, this school had decided to review their merit awards for all students and were increasing use of their endowment for this purpose.</p>
<p>I e-mailed and later spoke with admissions counselor from the top choice school and compared the final cost of attending their school versus the other two -- no offer to increase was made, except that she might get an additional small scholarship for being a national merit scholar finalist. We'll be visiting soon for admitted students' day, so I might take the opportunity to explore this further. We'll also be taking a second look at the higher offer school to make sure daughter wouldn't like it just as well...</p>
<p>My daughter has been accepted to three LAC in Michigan/Indiana/Ohio area. Her top choice school offered the lowest merit scholarship. While I was composing a delicately worded letter to top choice school, the school which had already offered the highest scholarship sent us a letter increasing her offer by $2000. In light of recent decisions by Harvard and Yale to use more of their endowment on student merit aid, this school had decided to review their merit awards for all students and were increasing use of their endowment for this purpose.</p>
<p>I e-mailed and later spoke with admissions counselor from the top choice school and compared the final cost of attending their school versus the other two -- no offer to increase was made, except that she might get an additional small scholarship for being a national merit scholar finalist. We'll be visiting soon for admitted students' day, so I might take the opportunity to explore this further. We'll also be taking a second look at the higher offer school to make sure daughter wouldn't like it just as well...</p>
<p>I am impressed with all the sound advice I've gotten--Thanks. I made sure the colleges were not in the 568 group - that would have been embarrassing. I understand now I need to review the chosen school's financial aid policy to make sure I'm not asking for a merit scholarship if they don't give them, period. </p>
<p>Can someone help me with collegeboard.com? Sybbie719 (thank YOU for all your info) recommended researching where the packages given lie as far as average packages--I've been trying for half an hour but I can't find where on the website that would be.</p>
<p>I can't wait for this to be over (only to start again with child #2, oh well)</p>
<p>go to</p>
<p>College</a> Search - SAT Registration - College Admissions - Scholarships</p>
<p>type the name of the college into the quick college finder</p>
<p>for example: Boston University (click find it, or the arrow)</p>
<p>click the tab Cost and financial aid</p>
<p>for most schools you will find the FA statistics:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Financial Aid Statistics
Full-time freshman enrollment: 4,163
Number who applied for need-based aid: 2,410
Number who were judged to have need: 1,933
Number who were offered aid: 1,928
Number who had full need met: 987 </p>
<p>Average percent of need met: 88%
Average financial aid package: $28,032
Average need-based loan: $4,736
Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $19,069
Average non-need based aid: $13,379
Average indebtedness at graduation: $24,939 </p>
<p>Financial Aid Distribution
Percent of total undergraduate aid awarded as:
Scholarships / grants: 71%
Loans / jobs: 29%
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If your school has a Common Data Set </p>
<p>or you may have to check the office of institutional research at the school you are looking for:</p>
<p>Check section H Financial aid</p>
<p>If you purchase the US new online edition (probably one of the best $15 you will ever spend, you can compare the data from different schools side by side)</p>
<p>remember any school that does not meet 100% will have a gap</p>
<p>some schools package their FA where the loan portion of the package will be larger than the grant /scholarship (free money ) portion of the aid package. You want try to get the highest ratio of grants to loan/work ratio.</p>
<p>Link to the college board EFC calculator</p>
<p>EFC</a> Calculator: How Much Money for College Will You Be Expected to Contribute?</p>
<p>Calculate your numbers using both the Federal (FAFSA) Methoology, the Institutional Methodology (CSS Profile) and both (try to have all of your financial information because the calculation is only going to be as good as the information you put in).</p>
<p>Also keep in mind, if the school raises your package, you definitely want to know (if you have doubts get it in writing):</p>
<p>Is this increase only for this year</p>
<p>Barring any major fluxuations in income (loss of income, hitting the lottery, etc) can we expect to receive the same package year over year.</p>
<p>If it is a straight $$ amount will the school increase the award to reflect increases in tuition (tuition increases at a rate of ~ 5% a year).</p>
<p>would someone be able to explain what it means for negotiating if your college is part of the 568 President's Club? Does it just exclude merit based appeals?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi Tulip,</p>
<p>I posted my answer but it seems to have gotten stuck in cyberspace so here it is again</p>
<p>Go to the college board's website</p>
<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/</a></p>
<p>type the name of the school in the college quick finder</p>
<p>Boston University</p>
<p>click find it</p>
<p>the school's information will show up</p>
<p>Click the tab Costs and Financial aid. You will find the following..</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>Average percent of need met: 88%
Average financial aid package: $28,032
Average need-based loan: $4,736
Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $19,069
Average non-need based aid: $13,379
Average indebtedness at graduation: $24,939
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>Financial Aid Distribution
Percent of total undergraduate aid awarded as:
Scholarships / grants: 71%
Loans / jobs: 29% </p>
<p>Non-need-based aid
determined by:
Academics
Alumni Affiliation
Art
Athletics
Leadership
Music/Drama
ROTC
Religious Affiliation
State/District Residency </p>
<p>Need-based aid determined by:
Academics
Art
Leadership
Minority Status
Music/Drama </p>
<p>Scholarship opportunities:
Trustee Scholar Program; full tuition and fees (renewable); candidates nominated by high school principals, headmasters, or students. University Scholarships; half tuition (renewable); based on exceptionally strong high school academic record. Dean's Scholarships; $10,000 (renewable); based on strong academic credentials; for students who have applied for need-based financial aid but have financial resources which exceed, cost of attendance. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship; full tuition; for academically gifted students with proven leadership abilities and strong commitment to social justice and community involvement.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>Financial Aid Forms
Domestic first-year financial aid applicants must submit the following forms, if applicable:</p>
<p>Business/farm supplement
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
FAFSA
Noncustodial (divorced/separated) Parents Statement
State aid form
[/quote]
</p>
<p>this way you can see if your package aligns with the information that the school has given. When looking at how aid is packaged, hopefully we wnat to find a higher grant/scholarship (free money) to loan ratio</p>
<p>You can also information if your school has a Common Data Set </p>
<p>In the common data set check section H (Financial aid) Sometimes you may have to look for the office of institutional research to find the CDS</p>
<p>You can also pay $15 for the US New best colleges on line edition (personally it is one of the best $15 you will spend because you can compare your schools side by side based on various criteria.</p>
<p>As far as calculating your EFC</p>
<p>use the financial aid calculators</p>
<p>run your numbers using:</p>
<p>the federal methodology (FAFSA)
Institutional Methodology (CSS profile)
both FM & IM</p>
<p>In the event that you ask for a financial review, be use to ask the follow up questions (get them in writing if you must)</p>
<p>Is the "new package" you are being offered for 1 year only</p>
<p>Barring and substantial changes in income (loss of job, hitting the lottery) can you expect to receive the same package year over year ? </p>
<p>If there are stafford loans in your package, they may go up each year as your child will be able to borrow more $$ (3500 freshman year, 4500 sophomore year, 5500 junior year until completion of the first bachelors).</p>
<p>When it comes to straight $ merit money, will increased me made that relect increases in tuition (tuition increases at a rate of ~ 5% a year)</p>
<p>You want to know all of the terms of the merit money
gpa</p>
<p>Is it tied to a certain major?
Is there a phase in period?
What happens if your child has an off term?
Is there a grace period so your child can bounce back before losing the scholarship?
If your child loses the merit scholarship is there need based aid to help make up the $$?
If your child loses the scholarship does s/he have a chance of getting it back?</p>
<p>hope this helps</p>
<p>yes. once accepted they wantyour kid and if you say (politely of course) that I wants to go to your college X but at XX college they got a better scholarsihp, there is a very high chance college X will respond positively.</p>
<p>Clemson granted us "In State" tuition (we are OOS). Rice gave a nice merit scholarship and UC schools have offered only admission (we are, again OOS). Is Clemson unique in this, or has anyone ever heard of UCLA or UCB to waive their out of state fees?</p>
<p>As far as attempting to get a lower price by comparing a school price with other FA packages, what if your least expensive school is still too expensive?</p>
<p>by too expensive, I mean the amount after grants/scholarships is above our EFC.</p>
<p>Is the right approach in this case to be to appeal to family affordability? </p>
<p>also, Can someone speak on how FAO's perceive EFC and the bottom line aid they give? Specifically, one college already told me that the college 'tries to match the EFC' in developing their FA package. The problem is, and it is a huge one,</p>
<p>the college takes loans into consideration when matching EFC</p>
<p>and I DO NOT take loans into consideration to get down to our EFC.</p>
<p>Will FAOs understand this (my) position?</p>
<p>A few Ivys and a couple other elite LACs have eliminated loans. Every other college considers loans as part of the package to get to EFC. Most schools don't even give 100% even with loans. So your opinion will not sway them. </p>
<p>Hopefully you applied to some lower cost schools.</p>
<p>Did anyone respond who should make the call to the finaid office student or parent? My d is looking to increase merit aid from her #1 choice.</p>
<p>We will to sway them with our little voice. I ask that any family who thinks that loans should not be used to get you to EFC to bring this up to the FAOs. Congressional representatives should be contacted, too, to try to correct this situation for the future. </p>
<p>The elite colleges are not dispensing with loans just because they CAN, but they are acting like leaders and know that this absurd burden on the students, and their (mostly middle class) families, is deleterious in the long run for the greater good of our country.</p>
<p>see poster atana' comments on this subject (which is applicable beyond the elite schools, the 2nd and third tier schools, which our family is dealing with).</p>
<p>idic5,</p>
<p>I agree with you - we need to speak up and ask for "truth" in FinAid. Just as the fed gov has standardized the calculation of HS dropout rates, FinAid data should be standardized in reporting, so we can compare collegeboard data accurately. As an example, my d received offers of "aid" - a $ 3500 Stafford loan - unsubsidized. Now that school can count her as one more student who receives Financial Aid, so their numbers look better. They can say that 80 % of their students get packages. I realize that that is a small loan - but that's the point. If a high income kid takes out a small loan - they're a fin aid recipient for the purposes of the college's reporting - which is a little misleading. </p>
<p>Also, colleges who use institutional methodology should be limited in the number of years they can add back in retirement contributions to SEP IRA & 401Ks back into the income. Most schools add the yearly contributions which are taken from current income back into the AGI. So to them, you have an additional $ 15,000 available for school. The reality is that many people are in their catch up years (age 50+) or have multiple kids going through college for a number of years. WIth no traditional pension plan, our family cannot give up 8 years of 401K contributions. </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post - but these 2 issues really frustrate me. Don't even talk about institutional methodology for including home equity as an available asset, with no protected amount. The days of 100 % LTV are long gone !!</p>