<p>What school is this? Some schools out and out want to know if there is a difference in financial aid award. I would want to know if I were a financial aid counselor if I gave out a need package to a student and a peer school that supposedly uses the exact same methodology came up with a radically different number. I would want to make sure I did not make a mistake. Some schools openly will tell you that they will negotiate, such as Carnegie Mellon University.</p>
<p>Many schools just might be interested if some students that they truly want are hedging because of a difference in financial or merit aid. My son received a small merit award from his first choice school and wanted to go there but the the cost was still above the absolute maximum we were willing to pay, and he had an ivy league choice that was within the parameters. It was definitely of interest to admissions to hear that if the gap could be closed, he would attend their school. They asked for proof and then doubled his merit award.</p>
<p>Many schools are in fierce competition for students. Perhaps you work at a state school that is not or a highly selective private that has more than enough students wiling and able to pay. In such cases, you can afford to be lofty in refusing to listen appeals. But for some schools, the inclusion of another $2500 in grant and a couple thousand in work study might make the difference in netting some highly valued students. These schools have to practice enrollment management, and financial aid and scholarships play a large role in this. In such scenearios, I would have the heads of any arrogant admissions or financial aid officers that cost the school the type of student that they are seeking to get. </p>
<p>I’ve never heard of any school that has your policy. Which schools do? I want to verify that such policy exists.</p>