I want to appeal for finaid at a college I got into which offered a merit scholarship but no financial aid even though my family's EFC predicted that we should receive up to $18,000 or so per year in need-based aid.
Another college offered grant aid in accordance with the EFC, and three more offered scholarships far exceeding it. Two of these colleges were similarly and/or higher ranked than the one I want to appeal to for the aid. The request for reconsideration of aid form says I can use other colleges' offers in my appeal. If I say the EFC wasn't met, my brother's in college, my parents will struggle to pay for both of our tuitions, and provide proof/send in the finaid forms showing that these other colleges have offered more aid or need-based aid equal to the merit scholarship from this school, would that make a proper appeal for an increase in aid? It feels a bit unethical because I'm literally just trying to negotiate/get this college to bargain for me. But it's also very unlikely I could go to the college if I can't get an increase in aid. Is this the right thing to do and the right way to do it?
The EFC from FAFSA is just about whether you are eligible for Pell grants and federal loans. No college is obligated to match that EFC, and most don’t. Did you run the net price calculator on each school’s website? That is what gives you a decent idea of what you might end up paying.
If the college form specifically says they will consider aid from other schools as a comparison point, then by all means send the better offers from schools with equivalent or higher rank. And there is nothing unethical about asking if you aren’t lying in any way (and I don’t see evidence that you are). However, you may not get any more aid. Get the paperwork in ASAP for your appeal, because you must deposit somewhere by May 1.
Also, if you give more details (what three schools are and how far apart the offers are, we may be able to help).
Remember that if your brother graduates and you are still in school, need based aid will probably go down.
@yeetyateyote Yes. But I think you should have a cover letter that accompanies the form which you should start off expressing appreciation for the merit aid which you DID receive. Then you should retierate your strong interest in the school and say WHY (in no more than a one short paragraph) you want to attend this particular school, why it is a good fit (what you intend to offer/provide and what about the school academic program makes you want to attend it rather than any other school). Then you need to let the school know that it is a financial reach and why—list all the reasons you mention above. Do you have any unusally high unreimbursed medical expenses also that you can cite to? Then you can either say how much additional money you need to be able to afford to attend or you can just state you need substantial additional aid (so as not to negotiate against yourself). State that if you got the additional aid you would attend (but only if true) but otherwise you likely will not be able to. This cover letter should all be done using no more than 3/4 of a page, 1 page tops.
Merit aid and need based aid are two separate things
Kenyon gave you 15k on merit aid. Once they awarded the merit money, which reduced your financial need, Kenyon felt it had met your need. This is why you did not receive any additional need based aid
Your second option Davidson, provided you 18k in need based aid. Davidson has a larger endowment and may have a different methodology for looking at your family’s finances.
What is the basis for your appeal? While you are sending an offer from another school , you must st really compare apples to apples. Kenyon have you merit money (which . It really does not matter what someone else gave you in need based aid.
Since the difference between the schools is one 3k, let Kenyon know that this is your first choice but Davidson is the more financially feasible option. They may give you the 3k, but keep in mind you must apply for need based aid every year and it may change depending on your famiky’s Financial situation.
Thanks guys! Even though I probably did it wrong/asked for need-based finaid when they’d already met it, I think writing a bit about loving the school and my family’s financial situation was helpful. + I showed that everywhere else I applied to cost less
Anyways, It ended up working–they increased my scholarship and now I will go there or at least be much more likely to! yayy