We are thrilled that D received a Presidential Scholarship and that we were able to visit recently. We were disappointed that she didn’t make the cut for PT or DHS, which is highly competitive I know. After identifying only 4 schools D was really interested, Tulane and U DEL came to the top. From Boston, we made it down to U Del last April but not Tulane until the first TSW weekend in March. I had hoped that we would hear about financial aid before we went for our visit, but did not until this week. I am surprised hearing that Tulane is so generous with FA that no one is talking about it on the forums. Before any financial award, D received merit scholarships which leveled the financial field (not including transportation cost). With financial awards this week UDel came up with an additional grant (and loans); TU has awarded work study and three loans. She is a great student and will do well in either environment in the sciences (research, not premed). I was hoping that TU would offer something more to help us out (we also have a sophomore D in college). While this D is leaning towards TU, I don’t think we will be able to validate the extra expense. I know all schools have their own calculation for aid which I can certainly appreciate, but my EFC was pretty low, and D’s father (NCP) has to share the expense with me. I have sent in a reconsideration on Friday given our EFC, the award, and that the ex has been unemployed for 10 months now. My questions are: 1) does the reconsideration process generally help, 2) how much impact does a NCP assets or income have if the CP has to pay a large share, 3) are there any other grants that TU has (and what happens to merit given to students that reject TU), 4) is there any other contact at TU you would suggest for my D?? I will also add that D has applied to outside scholarships as well, which is necessary and appropriate, but is quite often a very slim chance. Thanks in advance for any knowledge anyone can share.
I can’t answer all your questions as FA is not an area of great knowledge for me, but here is what I do know:
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I think not usually, but also not never. It is certainly worth the effort, IMO, given the close call between the schools and your D’s slight preference for Tulane.
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No idea, sorry
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Yes, Tulane does sometimes give grants as part of the need based FA package, although the fact that she already got a Presidential affects that decision. But this goes back to #1 that perhaps you can get them to reconsider the distribution of the aid, if not the total amount.
Nothing “happens” to merit scholarships that are not used. Tulane has a budget for it, already estimating based on history how much of what they have offered will actually get used. It is the same idea as for the DHS. They award 75 of them at a value of about $48,000 each, but they know that only around half or even a bit fewer will be used. They actually count on that. And while if they had a year when, say, 65 winners attended it wouldn’t be a disaster I don’t think, and certainly nice for the school in terms of brainpower coming in, it would be an interesting situation for them.
- I think you have to go through your rep within the financial aid office. Of course you could always try appealing to their supervisor if you think they just aren’t listening to you or doing their job right, but otherwise I don’t think there is anyone else that would step in.
Good luck! Of course we hope your D joins the Tulane family, but money is money, and there is no getting around the fact that college choice is still a value proposition in the end. That is, which represents the best value within the parameters of what one can afford.
I should have also included that there is still over $20k after the offered loans. Thanks.
As usual, your answers are very helpful. Her FA rep is the one who sent me the link for the reconsideration and verification process so I think she is on track 
Fingers crossed.
@33cd33 - please let us know how this turns out.
I have 2 nephews that attended GP. TU was on their lips often because they are offering $$. I heard the same thing from a guidance counselor at another school. That may play out in your favor.
@WinchesterMom Unfortunately, Tulane did not change their position. The response was “there was not significant enough of a change”, which is surprising given that my ex has no job since last May and unemployment ran out in December. He is the major breadwinner for both his and my families. My daughter’s first choice is Tulane. We could hope that the actual numbers from 2015 may change going forward for assistance. Thanks for asking though.
Hey 33cd33 -
I don’t want to give you false hope but we got a call at 5:03 LAST NIGHT with a merit offer. This was in addition to FA the school had already placed in front of us.
Now, we are not in the same boat (as we are considering private high schools), however, I think the same rules may apply.
For private schools, the decisions are due today. So, it appears that when schools are running down the back stretch (so to speak), they may have money that was turned down become available.
I am certain the school that added the merit money had someone turn it down (or possibly a few) because they work off fairly fixed budgets. So, it’s been my experience that there is a bit of frenzied jockeying that goes on as the schools cross the finish line (approach their contract due date).
So, learn from my mistake: don’t completely count out a change until they shake out their final resting spot. I was NOT prepared for that call and spent until 4am wrangling with our decision
I know it happens infrequently but it DOES happen.
Good luck!