<p>I'm currently sitting on a $42,000 financial aid package from Duke (37K in needs scholarship, 3K Stafford, 2K work study). I've got National Merit scholarship and maybe some others, but my understanding is that this just eliminates WS and Stafford and does nothing for the 8-12K family contribution. The other schools I'm considering are WUSTL ($38,000 package with loans) and Emory (full ride merit).</p>
<p>So my question is, can (should) I/my parents negotiate with FA for aid? There are some circumstances of family jobs, extended family needs, etc. that I can mention and were not on the CSS, and reducing the family contribution would make Duke even more appealing to me. However, I don't want to lose the (generous--they gave more than FAFSA EFC) package I've already got from Duke. Any help?</p>
<p>1). Outside scholarships will always replace loans first followed by work-study, then grant funds. It’s been that way for the 3 years that I’ve been at Duke and I haven’t heard of any changes</p>
<p>2). You can certainly talk to the financial aid office if you think that there are circumstances which would significantly impact your ability to pay the cost of attendance that was not reflected on your financial aid application and documents. </p>
<p>3). I don’t think your package will be reduced or canceled by Duke just because you asked them to take another look at it. I’m sure if they don’t change it they’ll just say that they can’t change it and either take it or leave it but you won’t lose the offer. </p>
<p>4). Since you already have 42K in financial aid, I can’t imagine you’ll have to pay more than 8K more to Duke. If you look at your total cost of attendance, that figure (probably a bit less than 55K for the next year) includes stuff like books/travel/expenses that are not payable to Duke. That would be variable costs that can be minimized through budgeting and such. </p>
<p>5). While I understand that you might have difficulties paying 8-12K a year, I’ll just say that that price is phenomenal for not just a Duke education but for any sort of education at an elite university. Even in-state tuition at many top public schools will run you about 3-5K a semester not including room and board. Again please don’t think I’m being insensitive.</p>
<p>Thanks SBR. We shouldn’t have a problem with the aid package as it is now, but I guess getting a full ride scholarship from Emory before any financial aid shadowed everything else. Going to Blue Devil Days next week, and I’ll see what I can do.</p>
<p>you got full ride at emory as in tuition + room and board? Nice, cuz i have tuition only and room and board by themselves are gonna cost like 15-18k</p>
<p>Yeah, full ride at Emory as a Woodruff, I’m pretty stoked. But Duke and Wash U are pretty much offering full tuition in their aid packages, so it’s a hard decision.</p>
<p>As for Emory, I don’t think the room and board is necessarily 15K, more around 10K. Having stayed in New Turman, Emory’s definitely got some of the best dorms around. Then again, so does Wash U…</p>