Merit Scholarship at Pitt, Can I Negotiate it up?

Paying for College
1 
    I recently received a 10k per year scholarship to the University of Pitt (which I am very very happy to have). I don't want to be annoying/over-confident; however, I was hoping to get full tuition. I have not yet heard back from other colleges about merit scholarships because I applied RD for them. But those colleges (UNH, UConn, Northeastern, U of Rochester, and Princeton) aren't known to give much merit aid. I only found out about Pitt in late December, and I ended up applying on January 15th, the last day for merit scholarship consideration. I was admitted within a week and recently got into the Honors College.
  I was wondering if I got "only" (I use this word loosely b/c 10k is a lot of money) got 10k per year because I submitted my application so late. I also submitted a resume of my ECs about a week after my acceptance (early February). My scholarship letter was postmarked February 2, 2015, so I am not sure if the scholarship committee even saw it. Would I be able to "negotiate" the merit aid offer based solely on my academics/ECs which the scholarship committee may/may not have seen? Or do I need to have better offers from my other schools before I ask for anything? Pitt is my number choice, but my parents would only allow me to go if I got the full tuition because it is so far away from where we live. Is there anything I could do?

Here are my Stats:
GPA: 5.08/5 weighted
Rank: 4/435
OOS
SAT: CR 750, M 800, W 750 one-sitting
Subject Tests: 750 M2, 780 Bio E

essays: alright, not the best writer
three recs. all good

Classes:
All APs this year
APs: World History 4, Macro 4, Calc AB 5, Physics B 4, Lang & Comp 5

EC:
All Varsity (4 years): cross country, indoor track, outdoor track
cross country captain, 2014 coach’s award
National Honor Society, Treasurer
French Honor Society, co-president
Mu Alpha Theta, Secretary
Student Senate (3yrs)

Community Service:
Volunteer at local hospital for 3 years (300+ hrs)

Other:
Piano since age 5
Half Korean, Half Caucasian
AP Global Challenge project
NMSSF

Parents make too much money for much need-based financial aid

2

I think you do have a chance to get few extra k$$. You need to show more interest by even taking a trip to the Campus.

My son last year got the same 10K offer, he was OOS, his scores were slightly better then yours but he never shown real interest in the school, when he gets the final FA pkg he was offered 3K more, Then he showed the interest and requested for more to at least come close to the Full Tuition. In the end he never get that and he choose UM Coral Gables FL over PITT. UM offer him Full Tuition. Had PITT offered him Full Tuition he would have chosen PITT.

So show more Interest I think they will sweeten the deal more.

3

They won’t consider an offer from Princeton because P doesn’t offer merit aid. I’m not sure if Pitt would consider Rochester or Northeastern a peer school and that’s what’s needed. You can always ask.

4

Thank you for your advice!

5

The problem is this…you already know that your parents won’t let you go unless you get a full tuition award.

You have $10k. The OOS tuition amount is probably around $28kish?? Anyway…the chances that Pitt would increase a $10k award to full tuition is very unlikely…and anything less won’t be worth THEIR time or yours.

There’s no point in having them jump thru hoops to give you - say - $5k more…if you’re then going to say, “no thanks, going elsewhere.”

Since it’s full tuition or bust…either ask for full tuition and say that YOU WILL enroll if you get it (and MEAN IT!!!)…or don’t bother. Don’t waste anyone’s time…including your own.

6

From Pitt’s website: “Criteria for scholarship consideration include SAT/ACT results, overall grade point average, class rank (if applicable) and strength of curriculum. Activities outside of the classroom such as leadership positions, athletics, community service, etc. are reviewed but given secondary consideration.”

7

PITT used to be generous with Merit Scholarships till 2013, since last year they are tough to come due to more competition … Chances of you getting Full Tuition is slim to none. They might add few $3k-$6k in the End. Northeastern and Rochester are not Bad Schools and actually rank higher then PITT in US News…

8

NEU and Rochester can be quite generous with merit money, actually.
$30K from NEU for National Merit, in fact, if I recall correctly.

I don’t know if it matters if Pitt sees either as peers (Pitt may actually see Rochester as above them).

However, unless you say “I will come if you give me full-tuition” to Pitt, you’d have a stronger hand once you have all merit offers on the table.

9

Thank you so much for replying, everyone! I really appreciate it. I think I will wait until I get all of my offers and then ask for full tuition. Even if I most likely wont get it, I have a better chance if I give it a shot! Once again thanks!!!

10

Do give it a shot. If it’s a deal breaker and you are truly commiting to go there if the finances work out, it might be a consideration. But $10K to full tuition is a big spread Good luck.

11

As mentioned, you won’t get a dime of merit money from Princeton. Are you also applying for fin aid, and what doees it look like your family need would be? (FAFSA EFC, NPCs for your schools). Is PItt truly your first choice? All things equal in cost, you’d pick Pitt over those other schools? I’d be skeptical.

12

My son was recently offered full-tuition at Pitt with same SAT, similar ECs, also NMSF and 4.0 w/4.7 uw GPA so you would seem to be in the ballpark for full-tuition. Son’s essay was good though, which could be a factor in the merit award. When we visited over the summer, the admissions rep said Pitt would consider increasing a merit award if you have a better offer from a comparable school. So it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a larger merit award if you can show them a better offer. What do you have to lose? I do agree with @mom2collegekids that if you need full tuition to attend Pitt then that’s what you should ask for.

13

What exactly is required when you guys talk about showing interest in a school you really want to got to? Is it only visiting? If not feasible what other things can a student do to show interest?

14

Ask for brochures to be sent. Ask if they have a traveling rep going to your area. Ask any questions you have about your field of study.