<p>Okay, so I was just accepted to BU, my DREAM school, and they offered me 10k a year in merit. BU is about 56k a year, so that makes it 46k. They offered me 6k in loans (ew), so that brings it down to 40k, which is my family's EFC. However, UVM, my second choice, brought down their tuition from 47k to 36k for me with strictly merit. My parents refuse to let me take any loans offered to me whatsoever, so basically, BU is still stuck at 46k, and because my parents are smart people (trust me, I am not angry at them for giving me these rules, I know it's only to help me out), they refuse to pay any more than 36k (UVM's price) a year for me to go to school.</p>
<p>Do you think there is any wiggle room to negotiate with BU to bring down their cost to match UVM's? I figure they must at least want me a little bit as a student if they gave me a 10k Dean's Scholarship, so do you think they'll be willing to negotiate? BU is my dream school, I'm beyond in love with it. I wasn't even sure if I got in, let alone get money from them! </p>
<p>What negotiating tactics should I use when my mother and I call this week? Any tips? </p>
<p>You can always try, and explain your situation but my understanding about the way BU works in giving aid is that it has a transparent methodology using a matrix of grades, test scores and need. They used to have the matrix available. Search the website, call fin aid and see where you are on it. Are you on the edge of moving up a bit to get more?</p>
<p>It looks like they only need a couple thousand more - $4,000 - but that’s with the loans. I think BU might close the gap by $4,000, but if your parents mean without the loans - like they want BU to replace the loans with grant aid AND close the $4,000 gap you already have between what they offered and what your parents are willing to pay - then that means they would need to close it by $10,000, and I don’t see them doing that.</p>
<p>BU hasn’t been what many CC folks think of as a financially generous school. Their appeals are based on your need and changed circumstances- not that your parents don’t want you to take loans.</p>
Provide specific information about any change in your family’s financial situation or extenuating circumstances, and an estimate of the amount of aid your calculations suggest you will need. Appropriate documentation must be included. *</p>