<p>Does UChicago match other schools' financial aid packages? I received a better offer from a school of the same caliber, but would really like to attend UChicago. If they could just match, I would definitely be able to attend.</p>
<p>No body here can tell you, you have to call the U. But I don’t think they will.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>I just called and they told me it was against their policy. I heard a lot of top schools would usually match other top schools’ offers though… :/</p>
<p>You can repeal your financial aid package.</p>
<p>iluvcaliii – I don’t think any school officially matches offers, a lot of them will just approve an appeal more if you mention that [insert rival/ivy school name] offered more. </p>
<p>I think you meant appeal Divine 
Repealing it sounds like a bad idea.</p>
<p>Yes. Oops how embarrassing!</p>
<p>UChicago does accept appeals. From what I understand, an appeal at UChicago requires giving the financial aid office some new information – that is, providing the financial aid office with a reason, either quantitative or qualitative, that the financial aid package you were offered renders you unable to attend. “University X has offered me this much money”, they have drilled into our heads, is not the kind of new information they’re looking for. However, I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt if you mentioned the specific amount of the package received from the other school at the end of your formal letter to the FA office, in addition to the new, relevant info detailed above.</p>
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<p>It doesn’t hurt. I actually recommend everyone to appeal. Some will ultimately get more.</p>
<p>Oh, definitely. I wasn’t saying the opposite. I’m just relaying the words of the financial aid office itself right now – if the OP, in his/her appeal, fails to provide some information which A) they haven’t seen before and B) explains in sufficient depth why the package offered was not sufficient, then the appeal probably won’t be taken seriously, just because that’s the office’s current appeals policy.</p>
<p>Should this be done through letter, email…? And do we need to attach proof of the other school giving more aid?</p>
<p>would mentioning merit money at other schools have an impact</p>
<p>I’ll repeat myself for clarity. Mentioning any moneys received as part of a financial aid package from another school, be they need- or merit-based, should not have anything to do with whether UChicago accepts an appeal if the financial aid office’s words can be taken at face value.</p>
<p>If you do decide to appeal your financial aid package, do so with a formal written letter that states why the package you received is not sufficient for you to attend. Other schools don’t have anything to do with this; “Another school gave me $6,000 more than you did” will not work as a financial aid appeal. Besides, this assumes that you have a lot of leverage/bargaining power with the university, and the vast majority of individual students just don’t.</p>
<p>If you do decide to mention another school’s financial aid package in your appeal letter, don’t make it the point of your letter: do so in passing and in addition to the information I’ve described here.</p>
<p>Just call them up, say you want to appeal, and fax/mail them any new/additional information. I think the most convincing appeal you can make is one that involves financial forms + a letter of explanation. If you give them hard evidence that you simply cannot afford to attend with the package they assigned you, they will give you more money. They are, however, notoriously difficult to negotiate with if you don’t have a very legit reason backed up by physical evidence.</p>
<p>Repealing your package is definitely uncommon, not many people know that it is even possible so it often goes undone. If you feel like bargaining or truthfully don’t agree with the package, it is DEFINITELY possible. I did it for Emory last year (UChicago’s package was so much better so I wanted to see if Emory could match it). I did the same for UChicago, but they denied me a better package. Nonetheless, I’m still here. </p>
<p>I really don’t think the university will change their decision upon the basis you say “university x, y, and z are giving me better financial aid… if you don’t give me more money, i’m going there”. The best way to push for more aid is to address your financial position. Maybe your parents make a lot of money, but also spend a lot. Maybe your parents aren’t willing to pay for your college tuition, and you are independent. Maybe your parents income/tax returns were based on many overtime hours (this one works usually) and your family doesn’t think that working overtime should detract from your college aid experience.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>