Financial Aid Dilemma

<p>Hi I got accepted to Princeton in December and want to enroll. However, I also want to ask for a better financial aid package. Should I wait until april to see if any college offers me a better deal to use as leverage, or would they still consider giving me more money, even if I've already enrolled? thanks!</p>

<p>When do you have to accept? I wouldn’t wait to have the conversation with the school. If something’s changed in your financial situation I would make sure to highlight that. If you were already accepted then the school wants you to go. Be open and honest, tell them you really want to be there but don’t think you can make the finances work and have to wait until you see what other schools offer. When you do go back, I think you need to have a realistic notion of what you can afford. Princeton is an amazing opportunity that most don’t have, and you have the rest of your life to pay off that kind of investment in your future. Good luck.</p>

<p>Princeton’s calculations for financial aid are made on a set formula that they use based on the financial information you provided. While it’s possible that they would entertain a re-evaluation of your aid package, it would most likely need to be based on new information that you had not provided previously (ie - a parent losing a job, health crisis etc). If you receive other FA offers that are better than Princeton’s you could certainly make a request for consideration on their part. </p>

<p>We have found Princeton’s financial aid to be very generous but be aware that what they offer is based on their assessment of your need. They are not likely to match merit based scholarship offers since that is not how their FA works. </p>