<p>Some strategies can help win more money for your child, but it depends on the institution.
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/05/your-money/paying-for-college/for-many-families-college-financial-aid-packages-are-worth-an-appeal.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/05/your-money/paying-for-college/for-many-families-college-financial-aid-packages-are-worth-an-appeal.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you so much!!</p>
<p>The appeals success rates cited were astonishingly high (suggesting perhaps everyone should give it a shot?), but of course what’s missing from the article is how much the typical appeal will net. </p>
<p>I found it surprising that Occidental considers “loan payments from parent loans for other children” to be the kind of expense that is “out of the control of a family” and therefore a good basis for an appeal. So the family that borrows to send kid number one to an expensive school will get more from Occidental for kid number two than the one that sends kid number one to an affordable school? This makes sense?</p>
<p>"I found it surprising that Occidental considers “loan payments from parent loans for other children” to be the kind of expense that is “out of the control of a family” and therefore a good basis for an appeal. So the family that borrows to send kid number one to an expensive school will get more from Occidental for kid number two than the one that sends kid number one to an affordable school? This makes sense? "</p>
<p>Does to me. The parent who is maxxed out in those loans has exhausted that source. The one who has not, still has that route to take. The borrower bought into the system and has so supported school like Occidental in the past, to the point he no longer can. Same with a mortgage on a home Own a million dollar home free and clear and you get hit up for just about full cost of privates. Same home, mortgaged to the hilt and you’re living in the same place but you can get finanical aid, maybe even substantial. Of course you have to pay the mortgage, but then those strapped with those loans have to pay the loans.</p>
<p>The key thing is you need to have a reason to appeal. The article said if you have a financial situation change or in some cases if you have a better financial aid offer from a peer institute. The latter is more difficult as it need to be a peer school, a lower after aid cost, and a school that is willing to match. It is not just everyone can ask for an appeal and half of the people will get some more aid. </p>