Has anyone been successful negotiating with UVM for more financial aid as an OOS applicant? I would love to attend but with net price $25,000, after all scholarships and grants, and an EFC of only $4,800, it doesn’t look like it’ll be possible. I’m figuring that I won’t get too far with getting more financial aid since this is a public university but any suggestions would be appreciated!
Do you mean negotiating for more MERIT aid or need based aid? MERIT negotiation is different which is why I ask.
@elise303 Sorry, should have made that clearer! I am referring to need-based aid. I received the $17,000 per year Presidential scholarship. The highest possible for presidential OOS is $18,000, so I don’t think that negotiating for more merit would get me very far.
I am considering appealing for a higher level of Presidential Scholarship. Even if I get $1-2k a year, that is $4-8k over 4 years.
@LuisaL, if there has been a noticeable spike in the GPA this senior year, a higher SAT/ACT score, or you have a better offer at comparable school - this is what I hear usually gets more $$. You could just try asking with none of these too, the worst they can say is no. But if you have one of these, that would be even more persuasive.
@luisa, oh sorry, you said NEED BASED – ooops. If you can show a financial strain or hardship or issue that you did not have prior to filing that would be persuasive and again if you have a much better offer from a comparable school that would be good too. You could just ask and not give a reason - just saying that finances are tight. They must get this all the time though, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t honor it.
In terms of need based aid, if your income was less in 2016 than it was in 2015, this might also be persuasive. The FAFSA based on 2015 tax returns puts people in a bind who made significantly less in 2016 since this is not considered this year. We were told at many schools that is 2016 was not as good a year, let them know. I did not go to UVM so I don’t know what they said.
Your issue is that they gapped you, right? You don’t need a lower EFC, they just didn’t meet need. I would make sure their estimate of your need is also showing a $5k family contribution, and not a mistake.
@HRSMom Yes…my EFC is about $5k and the estimated billed cost from UVM is $15.5k AFTER $17k Presidential scholarship, $13.5k need-based (UVM grant and pell), $1800 work study, & $5,500 fed sub & unsub loans. I will check to make sure that they got it right.
@elise303 Thanks for the info! There hasn’t been much of a change in finances since 2015 so I probably can’t use that as leverage. I do have better offers from other schools but they are all smaller, private schools.
@LuisaL That’s true, 1k a year is still something. Definitely worth a try!
@LuisaL curious as to whether you appealed for more merit and if so, how that has gone.
@eandesmom no, I am going to hold off until I determine if he wants to go. He is currently deciding between U of Utah and UVM. We head out to Utah in two weeks. If we come back from that trip and he decides that UVM is the place for him, then I will go and start negotiating. I don’t want to waste their time until he is more definite.
@LuisaL That is a smart move. Keep in mind that admissions cares deeply about yield. Have a price in mind and be willing to say “if we can get to X then he will commit as soon as we have that in writing”. I work in the start up world and many of my colleagues have done this successfully at many schools. Good luck!
@SwimmingDad, This is good advice. Very good advice.
@SwimmingDad He got a $10,000 merit scholarship at Utah. This brings the OOS cost to $26,000 for room board and tuition. Utah makes it easy to get instate tuition. They also bill all summer school at instate rates, so this school could be super affordable. If we go out there and he doesn’t like it, then I start negotiating with UVM.
@LuisaL, this is a good deal. I kinda wish we had looked for a better deal in terms of tuition. Feeling the financial pressure.
I’m feeling that same pressure. My wife had been caring for her mom for the last year…our FAFSA in no way reflects our current income. We are beginning the financial aid negotiations this week. Fortunately, I do lots of negotiating for work…so this is like a sport for me. 
@SwimmingDad, we have a financial situation too. I will likely be losing my job or it’ll be cut by about half salary. I will not know this for certain until July, which I know is late to be negotiating. We will have more than one in college and don’t know the cost of the other one as of yet. Lucky that this is your sport. I am out of my element in the financial negotiation world. Also, I do feel, when I look at CC that my kid got the right amount of merit for his grades and test scores so I don’t think there is any room for negotiation in that front. We did get a better offer from a bunch of schools, but I don’t think they are comparable as they are small LAC’s.
@OnEdge2021 I’m really sorry to hear that. If you have a top choice, I would call them and lay it out there for them and ask them what they suggest. They may tell you to move forward and then call in July when you know. They want your child and will do right by him. You’ve got this…
@swimmingdad
I wish negotiating was my sport. I find this whole process so stressful.
@Michthebeech Oh I find it stressful! It’s more real when it affects your kid.