Does Brown's financial aid meet other schools'?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>Right now, I am in the very fortunate position of being accepted into both Brown and Stanford. I’m pretty sure Brown is my top choice, but the financial at Stanford was SO much great than at Brown, I don’t really feel I have a chioce anymore. Stanford was 19,000 while Brown was 29,000 per year.</p>

<p>Does anybody have any expirience in getting schools to match others’ FA awards? How hopeful should I be?</p>

<p>BTW: Brown seems to REALLY want me, I was one of the students who got likely letters way back in late-February. I’m hoping this will help me get a FA award thats a little more realistic.</p>

<p>ALSO, I know FA is re-determined each year, but is there ANY way possible for schools to offer fixed rates? My dad is self-employed with HIGHLY unstable income, and doesn’t like the idea of commiting to a school that raise the cost of attendance, especcially after my brother leaves college. I know that logic is really backwards, but…thats how my dad is, haha.</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!</p>

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<p>There is no “fixed-rate” plan as far as I know.</p>

<p>Brown will consider financial aid offered by peers-- no guarantee of a change but I’ve known people to swing their plans the difference you’re talking about.</p>

<p>Also, when your brother leaves college they likely will change the plan, but they’ll gladly talk about what it would look like over the course of your time assuming your family situation stays relatively stable (as in changes they know about like your brother happens but other drastic financial changes do not).</p>

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<p>Thank you! Does anybody have any suggestions on how exactly to go about talking to Financial Aid people?</p>

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<p>Yes, you should call them.</p>

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<p>modestmelody, he’s asking how the negotiations usually work. perhaps it’d be better to wait a couple weeks before calling? or would that actually be much worse?</p>

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<p>Earlier is probably better than later though right now they are inundated.</p>

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<p>No.</p>

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<p>There is no secret here. modestmelody is right, you call them and talk to them in a direct way.</p>

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<p>Try to be demanding or overly condescending. The financial aid officers are trying their best to help every student but they are constrained by the limits of their institution’s resources; you should definitely ask or negotiate, but if they can’t help you, then you shouldn’t get too stroppy with them.</p>

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<p>I totally agree with Gardna. It’s all pretty straight-forward at this point which is why you should just come out and say what you want to say. They’ll help if they can.</p>