<p>I just recieved my financial aid package from Wash U and while they are giving me a significant amount of money, $20,000, it still leaves my family with $25,000 to pay when you include books and stuff, which is too much for my parents to pay. I've been reading some of the threads on here about increasing financial aid and was just wondering how likely is it that Wash U will increase my aid about ten thousand or so if I call or write a letter? Thanks.</p>
<p>wash u is notoriously bad about financial aid. supposedely, they gap a lot (i.e., estimate your need lower than the fafsa does) so, if you want to get more, you basically have to threaten them. what i mean is, use your other schools as leverage to get more aid, e.g., "i'm liking [insert ivy here] better, but maybe if you guys could provide more aid..." what a diabolical plan, heh heh... seriously though, it should work</p>
<p>or you could take the nicer route, let them know your situation, that you'd love to go there etc...and ask if they could possibly help you out..
it worked (marvelously) for me, so I have my college plans all sorted out now</p>
<p>Be careful, Wash U may ask for proof if you go the leverage route. I think $20,000 off is a nice offer.</p>
<p>the strategy suggested by hollandhallway worked great for me... they ended up giving me $10k/year more.</p>
<p>Try it; you've got nothing to lose. Of course, you have to be tactful.. but make it clear you expect more money out of them.</p>
<p>BTW, I actually <em>went</em> there to ask them.. so maybe that was more effective than calling them would be...just a thought.</p>
<p>To all those who posted: Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.</p>