Negotiating Aid and Honors Program

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
1

<p>So, I know this is partly my fault, but I applied regular decision and got accepted into Fall 2011. But since I applied regular, I was not considered for any merit scholarship or the honors program. However, I received a $5000 a year scholarship from UMBC, and was wondering if I brought that up to CP, would they be willing to offer me a comparable scholarship if I said that I really want to go to CP and money is the only issue holding me back, which is true.</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering if I talk about how I really want to be part of the honors program and if I was accepted into it, that would seal the deal on me going to CP. I'm definitely qualified to get into the honors program, its just that I applied regular. My reason for applying regular is that I was originally set on a degree that CP didn't have, but changed that degree around the beginning of January. I had to scramble to put together the CP application, and happened to get in. Since then it's became my top pick school.</p>

<p>So, do you think its worth a shot? Do I have a reasonable right to ask for aid and to be put in the scholars program or am I just going to be an annoyance to them and be told "you should have applied early"?</p>

2

<p>It never hurts to try. The worst thing that will happen is that they say no.</p>

<p>That said, I think it’s unlikely that they’ll change anything, but there’s always a chance. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>I think Astrophysicsmom has this answer pegged.</p>

<p>They can’t do worse than tell you “no.” On the other hand, if they tell you anything other than “no,” then a lot of people who followed the rules and didn’t get the answer they wanted are going to be really, really ticked.</p>

4

<p>What if you were accepted EA and also in the Honors College without any merit scholarship? Would you give a try to get an UMD merit scholarship by showing letters with merit scholarship received from other comparable universities? If yes, should I do this face to face at UMD? Should I try it with Admissions or Financial Aid? Thanks for any advice you can give me.</p>

5

<p>I wouldn’t count on the UMBC $5,000 offer being a good enough leverage to get money. I got a $10,000 offer from UMBC and CP didn’t even bat an eye.</p>