<h2>I cross posted this thread on the Parent’s Forum, but I think that I can also get some helpful responses on this section,too.</h2>
<p>Most of my college admissions results have come back, and now it is time to look at financial aid. I have received some of the financial aid packets from some of the schools that I applied to, looking at the figures based strictly on numbers, I believe that they have made the right decision. Looking at our EFC, it should be expected to pay practically full freight, but there are other factors that does not reflect our EFC. After all there was no place on the FAFSA to list special circumstances, and I feel that my dad and I did not elaborate enough on the special circumstances section on the CSS Profile (we have surely learned our lesson about that). This is the first time that my dad has filled out the FAFSA or the CSS Profile (he was an international student when he was applying), and now my dad and I have learned from the mistakes and are ready to start negotiating. I have, for the most part, been in charge and responsible for everything in the admissions process…from applying to merit scholarships and scheduling interviews to turning in the IDOC, filling out the CSS Profile, getting pin #s, and filling out the FAFSA. </p>
<p>Special Circumstances
- My dad is still paying off loans from two universities that he attended before I was even born ('87 and '90)----he still has $40,000 to go before it is all payed off.</p>
<li><p>My dad is supporting 10 people back in Africa (ranging from their teen years to the age of seventy). He is paying to sustain basic living. Basically, if his income is cut off, then they will not be able to survive, since about $10,000 a year goes to them, which is a lot of money in Africa.</p></li>
<li><p>My mother (she doesn’t work) is guardians to four of my cousins, who are teenagers. My cousins wanted to stay in Africa, because it is what they know (which is completely understandable).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I never thought that I would be accepted to the majority of the colleges on my list, but reality is setting in and I know that I need to get over my sense of “there are more amazing people out there” syndrome. I feel uneasy even asking for a better financial aid packet and merit aid packet, because I know that they didn’t have to accept me at all. </p>
<p>I know it is wrong to feel this way, because I have seen many people on CC successfully get a better financial aid package. I think that it will make me feel better, if I knew some general rules about approaching this situation. I am afraid of coming off as demanding. I am afraid that I won’t be persuasive enough. I am afraid to even ask for more merit aid (my host from the school that gave me merit aid said that I should negotiate it). I don’t want to seem greedy or give the wrong impression. </p>
<p>Therefore, I have titled this thread the Do’s and Don’ts of negotiating financial and merit aid etiquette. Basically, how to have the most success in increasing financial aid, through approaches and behavior.</p>