<p>My daughter was accepted to Mac as an early regular decision and we've been anxiously awaiting the financial aid letter. It arrived today, and I've got to say that we're a bit disappointed. I've been keeping a spreadsheet of college award letters and Mac's seems to be the furthest off. We have a high EFC but both Earlham and Grinnell seemed much more affordable with their awards than does Mac. She received a $10K Dewitt-Wallace Scholarship (annual award), but no other grants and $1,900 work study. Mac has the highest cost of the 3 schools, which leaves us with a larger gap to fill with loans.</p>
<p>So here's my question - is it worth trying to meet with Mac's financial aid office and see if they might offer anything better? My husband and daughter will be at the Spring Sampler Weekend this week and he could stop in the financial aid office. Anyone have any luck with this sort of thing? She's really on the fence between Earlham and Macalester, and she may decide after this weekend that Earlham's the better fit but I'd like to make this work if it's the school she thinks is the best for her!</p>
<p>Why not try? I had a good chat with Mac financial aid before dd’s decision. We didn’t ask for a different award (in our case, it was the best of the lot), but they were very good at discussing possible changes for upcoming years. </p>
<p>Make sure you call to set up an appointment. They are very busy this time of year.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear your package wasn’t great. The bottom line of mine was that I was eligible for more aid than the school actually costs (though how they arrived at this number I disagree… I don’t really consider loans “aid,” but that’s just silly ol’ liberal me thinking everybody deserves to go to the best school they can get in to without having to pay interest…). Try writing Mac. Tell them what other schools are offering. As students decline their aid, more money might become available.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my Mac financial aid was far-off. It was high compared to other schools. I just don’t come from a background where I can afford what I was expected to pay, unless I want to take out significant loans, so I guess that ends my time with Mac.</p>
<p>lotsofquestions, what’s your range of family income? I always had the impression that Mac had good financial aid, and I’m thinking of attending. I’d rather not get strapped down by loans though.</p>
<p>The OP said their EFC was high and her kid received the $10K Dewitt-Wallace Scholarship. In other words, they got a “merit” scholarship, not need-based aid. You cannot conclude, based on the way they award merit scholarships, that they are not generous with need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Thanks, TK for your point. I didn’t think that Mac awarded much of anything merit-wise, so we were pleased to get the $10,000/yr. scholarship (guaranteed for all 4 years, we checked). Our daughter is going to defer for a year, so we’ll reapply for financial aid next year and maybe we’ll pursue the decision further.</p>
<p>I don’t agree with the fact that the scholarships that mac gives out is strictly merit-based though. I did receive a generous (but still lacking - $32,000 + $2000work study) package from Macalester as an international student and they stated that it is given based on merit and financial needs. So it really depends on how financially in need you are and how good you look on paper. It’s really never this or that.</p>