Negotiating financial aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I've been fortunate enough to be accepted to both Princeton's and Yale's classes of 2013. In terms of the fit, I feel that Princeton is a clear winner...however, Yale's financial aid package is far more appealing.</p>

<p>Yale has offered me all but $3500, whereas Princeton determined my family contribution to be $9600 per year. Is there any way for me to negotiate the financial aid offer? I will be attending the April 16-18 Princeton Preview if it's more preferable to do in person. Thanks for your replies.</p>

2

<p>I’m sure Princeton will match Yale’s offer. There’s a specific time at the Princeton Preview when you can meet to discuss your FA.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I also know a guy who’s currently a junior who was accepted to Yale and negotiated financial aid with Princeton. Princeton matched it and now he’s here :)</p>

4

<p>Don’t negotiate it unless you are SURE you would attend if they matched it. That would be unethical.</p>

5

<p>I would be shocked if they didn’t match for you.</p>

6

<p>Definitely contact Princeton! My son is in his second year, and I have found the financial aid office to be most cooperative and understanding. I would be shocked too if they didn’t at least match it.</p>

7

<p>I am currently on a waitlist, but I would for sure prefer Princeton over Yale had I the same financial aid…</p>

8

<p>I wrote a letter asking for more money and they gave me $2k more just for a 3 sentence email hahaha.</p>

9

<p>^that’s not too shabby, randombetch</p>

10

<p>How long does it usually take for them to repond to an email asking for more aid? And will they usually raise the grant money, work-study, or both?</p>

11

<p>Usually a week or so, but around this time, probably a lot longer. And they’ll raise grant money, obviously. They could give you more work-study eligibility up to the maximum of $5k if you just ask.</p>

12

<p>randombetch, did you mention a better financial aid package at another school in your email? I’ve already accepted Princeton, but I want to ask for more aid because even though I reported in my financial aid app that my mum lost her job recently, my aid package is not too different from last year’s.</p>

13

<p>" Don’t negotiate it unless you are SURE you would attend if they matched it. That would be unethical. "</p>

<p>Completely disagree with this, tell them about your Yale offer and they’ll definitely match/exceed it. Call/contact the FA office now, why wait until princeton preview?</p>