<p>A friend received his FA package from 2 almost identical private schools with very similar COA but, one gave him $8K more in merit/academic money.
I have read, and know of someone, that had this occur and her parents were able to negotiate to get more money from the school she preferred but, offered less money.
They faxed the award letter and after a few days, this school increased the award to match.
Anyone else heard of this?</p>
<p>Yes this can happen if the schools consider themselves to be peers. If the situation is that one school gave merit aid and one did not then my first thought is the one that did not, does not offer merit aid, not all schools do. You can check thier website to be sure. Of course it never hurts to ask, all they can say is no, but if the second school does not offer merit then I would’nt expect them to meet the first offer.</p>
<p>Oops, one is $12k more “achievement grant” and the 2 schools are definitely peers/rivals. They both have merit/academic drants</p>
<p>It CAN happen. I’ve seen it happen. We were able to get a bit more with my last son. But there is no guarantee a school will bite. In other words, don’t count on it, but give it a try.</p>
<p>WOW, quick appeal decision. He got an additional $6K/yr</p>
<p>Can you tell me how you went about doing this? Did you call the school and talk to your financial aid counselor (or finaid director?) or email him/her? Did you include the other school’s fin aid/scholarship package in your original email, or mention it in your first phone call? I’m awaiting my daughter’s #1 school finaid package (that has gotten lost in the mail twice!) and the school is known to not give great merit/aid. She got 14K from a comparative school and if she doesn’t get a similar package from the school, we’d like to try to negotiate. Thanks!</p>
<p>lynnmo,</p>
<p>His dad spoke to F/A and told them about the other offer. I’ll get details today in school.</p>
<p>At my kids’ school, it will sometimes do this with high stats kids. I once saw a turn-around in a few hours after the school received a fax of the higher offer - the child’s stats were in the top 5% of the school . Other schools may also have that policy if your child’s stats are very high for the school, so the school feels that it is “worth it” to get your child’s stats on campus.</p>
<p>Funny, his stats are slightly above average.
ACT 24
SAT 1150/1600
GPA 3.0</p>
<p>I would not be running out doing the happy dance yet. If you are dealing with merit money, don’t forget to read or ask about the fine print.</p>
<p>You need to know if there is now an increased gpa requirment?</p>
<p>Is the gpa requirement a phase in?</p>
<p>What happens if the student as a bad term, does e lose the sholarship immediately or is there a probation period that gives him an opportunity to bounce back?</p>
<p>Is the scholarship automatically renewable for the same amount (including your increase) for each of the 4 years your child will be in college?</p>