<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. </p>
<p>I've also got a $38,000 package from Wash U (31K in need/merit scholarship, 2K WS, 5K loans), but I've also been selected as a Summer Scholar (making me think that they may favor me more than at Duke). Wash U's outside scholarship policy is also more forgiving, and National Merit effectively gives an extra $2500 per year.</p>
<p>Finally, I have a full ride (worth $49,000) merit scholarship at Emory. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be disappointed at all in Emory. I'd like to take a higher prestige school though, and the cheaper the better.</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--both gave more than FAFSA EFC) packages I've already got from Duke and WUSTL. Any help?</p>
<p>The loan amount at Duke is smaller by $3000 than at Wash U so your NMS of $2500 would go towards either your loan or work study. The $2000 in work study would be $1000 per semester at some schools pay much better than minumum wage especially of you work in one of the research labs.</p>
<p>What is the bottom line out-of-pocket costs for each school?</p>
<p>Have you been awarded any other outside scholarships besides the NMS to date?</p>
<p>Keep in mind a merit scholarship is different than a need based package. What are the terms of the scholie from Emory? What GPA do you have to maintain in order to keep it?</p>
<p>What happens if for some reason you lose it?</p>
<p>What does FAFSA say your efc is and what did the respective schools say?</p>
<p>Of Emory and Wash U, I liked Wash U better in terms of academics. Socially they were about the same (great balance of work and relaxation), and location-wise Emory’s better. I haven’t visited Duke (will next week), but from what I read I’ll love Duke too.</p>
<p>Out-of-pocket, Duke’s $12,000 including personal expenses, and Wash U’s about $10,000. Emory’s great here–it doesn’t cost a penny (beyond personal expenses).</p>
<p>As far as outside scholarships, I’m in the running for some local scholarships and for the Byrd in my region. I might get as much as $7500-8000 including National Merit. Wash U is unique in this, as they also offered me one of 20 spots in their Summer Scholars program.</p>
<p>The merit scholarship at Emory requires a 3.2 GPA. Considering I have plans for premed, I plan to keep a GPA above that.</p>
<p>Finally, FAFSA says my EFC is $16,000. Considering this, appealing at Duke might be a little hard. I’ve heard that Wash U is more generous, though, so I might have a little luck with that.</p>
<p>I’m sorry if I come off entitled here, especially considering my EFC is higher than the COA of either Duke or Wash U. However, my family income is mainly from contracting, and as such is a little unstable. And there’s no telling in this economy…</p>
<p>I know that they won’t match Emory, since Wash U and Duke are both more prestigious than Emory and Emory’s package is a merit scholarship. I figured that I might be able to get a few thousand more out of the schools though, in particular Wash U (where the bulk of my aid package is also a merit scholarship). That would make me much more likely to choose one of the two over Emory.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for the fact that I got the aid I did (and that I got into the schools I did)–reading the stories on CC about people getting gapped thousands on their dream schools make me feel guilty for my trifles. At least what I’m doing isn’t as bad as suddenly applying for FA after acceptance.</p>
<p>If Duke has given you a package that consists soley of need based FA while Emory and Wash U have given you merit money, do not expect an increase from Duke as they will not grant a financial review that is based on merit money unless they have given you a merit scholarship.</p>