Leveraging Grant at Another School

Paying for College
1

<p>My son received a wonderful merit scholarship from a top private school. The grant would be worth around $100,000 over 4 years. This is not need-based (our EFC is $70K).</p>

<p>Unfortunately, the scholarship-granting university is 4th on his wish list. The other schools offered nominal, if any, scholarship assistance. </p>

<p>What are the ethics and suggested techniques for approaching the financial aid offices of his top choice(s) to see if the target school(s) are willing to reconsider their grant decision?</p>

<p>We would not expect a dollar-for-dollar match. But we would like to see if our boy’s target schools are willing to narrow the differential, so that a decision on which school to attend becomes more an academic and “fit” question than an economic question.</p>

<p>Any ideas or advice is gratefully accepted.</p>

2

<p>Which schools are we talking about? Some schools only give need aid, so they won’t care that your child got a merit aid elsewhere. </p>

<p>Your child’s stats might also influence a school’s decision. What are your child’s stats (GPA and ACT/SAT including SAT breakdown). </p>

<p>You’re not asking for a grant…grants are based on need. You don’t have “need”. You’re asking for some merit money. Do these schools give merit money?</p>

<p>We can advise you better if we have the right info.</p>

3

<p>Mom2: Fair questions. We’re a little new to this.</p>

<p>The target school is WashU in Saint Louis; which we understand does provide merit support. The generous scholarship offer has been provided by UnivSoCal in LA.</p>

<p>As for our child’s credentials:
ACT: 35
SAT:740 reading, 760 math, 740 writing (11 essay subscore)
SAT subj. tests in English & Math: 760 & 780
AP English Language + Composition: 5
AP Microeconomics: 5
AP Macroeconomics: 5
AP Calculus BC: 5
AP Computer Science A: 5
(AP Scholar with Distinction)
Additional AP or honors classes: plus Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry; Honors Precalculus; Honors Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra; Honors Spanish II, III, IV, & AP Spanish V; Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Environmental Science.
GPA: 3.72 unweighted 4.25 weighted
National Merit Finalist</p>

<p>Hope this information helps
Dad</p>

4

<p>OK…</p>

<p>Your child was given the NMF scholarship from USC. Congrats. :)</p>

<p>His stats are good for WashU. You can try contacting WashU with a copy of the scholarship offer attached, but be aware that…</p>

<p>WashU has a bit of a rep for giving their merit to kids that are specifically wanted for a reason (URM, or from an unusual region of the country, or have some special talent, etc). I don’t know if that’s completely true, but that’s what we learned when my NMF/Val/high stats son went thru the process.</p>

<p>WashU is aware that USC gives that half-tuition scholarship, and they haven’t shown a willingness to match that with the many NMFs that they have at the school. </p>

<p>What state are you from? If you’re from the NE, your chances are less because WashU gets a ton of apps from there. If you’re from - say - North Dakota or Hawaii or Puerto Rico - your chances are better. :)</p>

<p>That said, it never hurts to try. If you have a WashU financial counselor, first approach that person. Have your documentation of the USC merit available. Mention how much your son wants to go to WashU, but as a parent you can’t afford the cost…especially when there’s a more cost-effective offer on the table. Be polite!!! </p>

<p>If you don’t have a financial counselor, then you’ll have to contact the director of FA. Don’t bother with people who answer the phones, they rarely have any power to do anything for. </p>

<p>However, be prepared that WashU may not match or even come close to the offer. They may fear that other future NMFs will apply to USC, get the scholarship, and then expect WashU to match it. </p>

<p>BTW…tell your child that USC is great. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I don’t know what your child’s likely major is, but if it’s one that requires costly professional school (like med/law), then minimizing undergrad costs is important. :)</p>