Hi everyone, new CCer here. ^^ so I just learned about peer institutions but I’m still not sure how they work. For instance, Carnegie Mellon and Rensselaer consider each other peer institutions. If I get merit scholarships/grants FROM Rensselaer, is there a chance that I could get that same amount in “free money” from Carnegie if I appeal for a recalculation of financial aid? Or would Carnegie Mellon subtract the grants RPI gave me before matching their offer?
If I need to clarify this question any further I will gladly do so. Thanks!
What you want to know…will CM give you need based aid that matches that given to you by RPI.
The answer is…maybe. What you would need to do is take your RPI financial aid offer and show it to CM. You would then say that CM is your top choice, but wondered if they could come closer to what you received in aid from RPI.
What you will find is that a lower ranked institution (like RPI) will SAY that an institution like CM is a “peer”, but CM sure wouldn’t acknowledge RPI as a peer. I always think that looking at USNWR rankings is a pretty fair way to see what is a “peer” in terms of asking for a review of your FA in light of a better cost of attendance from another school.
Many colleges do have the list of schools that they consider to be their peers on their Institutional Research website page or you can use this website:
thanks for the replies everyone! sorry my question was confusing. but yes, that link dadinator posted (CMUs peer schools) was the reason I asked about the financial aid situation in the first place. I’m hoping to go to a college of my choice without having to resort to financial aid strategies (not that they’re bad, just more work) but it’s always good to have this knowledge
