<p>So I've been told by teachers and other students that if you want more financial aid from a school you could pretend that you would go to another school which may be offering you more money. Then if that school really wants you they would offer you more aid. How and when is this done?</p>
<p>jenny, don’t get your hopes up. Some schools will discuss their financial aid offers and others simply will not. AND in terms of the “negotiating” you are discussing, IF this is done, it would be for peer schools only. In other words, if your state university gave you a full ride, it would not mean that Harvard would match that offer.</p>
<p>Now…when…how?</p>
<p>If, for example, you got accepted to Yale and Harvard, and Harvard gave you the better package but you wanted to go to Yale…you would take both financial aid offers to the financial aid office at Yale. Tell them that Yale is your FIRST choice but that you got more significant aid from Harvard. This is done after you have been accepted and have gotten your financial aid offers.</p>
<p>To add to thumper’s comments, I would just say that you don’t want to “pretend” anything. It’s never a good idea to lie about most things in life. Especially college stuff. Stay truthful and you will be able to sleep better in life. Not to mention the fact that you will also stay out of a heap of trouble.</p>
<p>Many schools state right on their FA pages that they will not consider the FA offers you have received from other schools. So tread very carefully, research first!</p>