Scholarships

Colleges and Universities A-Z Case Western Reserve University
1

<p>Okay, here's the deal:</p>

<p>I've been accepted (but haven't received my package through the mail yet). According to the Provisional Financial Aid Award, I'm getting a Provost's Scholarship, which is only $16,400. In addition, I'm supposed to take out $9k a year in loans (which I cannot and will not do, because of med school).</p>

<p>University of Miami gave me $24k a year. Has anyone had any luck with using other scholarship offers as leverage to increase financial aid from Case? How do I even go about doing such a thing?</p>

<p>As it stands, Case is simply unaffordable for me. Almost $8k out of pocket plus $9k in loans is undoable for my family, especially since it'll increase dramatically when my brother & sister graduate college.</p>

2

<p>call the financial aid office and explain to them your situation.</p>

<p>what i've learned from colleges is that if you get accepted by them, they WANT you there. so they'll do everything possible to let you go.</p>

3

<p>"Almost $8k out of pocket plus $9k in loans is undoable for my family, especially since it'll increase dramatically when my brother & sister graduate college."</p>

<p>I don't understand - are you receiving grant aid as well as your scholarship?</p>

4

<p>Yes, my preliminary financial aid estimate had $2900 in work study, maybe $9600 in grants, plus the $16,400 scholarship, plus the $9,000 in loans.</p>

<p>I understand that it's not final, but it's probably a pretty good idea. That's why I need to increase my scholarship if at all possible, if I'm going to be able to attend.</p>

5

<p>You've actually got a pretty good package; you should be able to cut into the out of pocket part with a summer job and graduation dollars. Also, once your brother and sister are out of college, that won't be an expense. I agree, though, that you have to be very careful with loans if med school may be in the future.</p>

<p>The general idea with scholarship negotion is that a parent calls the fin aid office, says that Case is your first choice, but the money situation is tight (if you have extenuating circumstances such as health care cost mention them) - and Miami has this great offer. Then the parent faxes or emails the competing offer, and ask if Case could reconsider the loan amount, or are there any other scholarships. The important thing is to be polite and professional.</p>

<p>Then, you will probably wait. They will either reconsider or not.</p>

6

<p>I really hope the leverage thing will work: I got the Provost's at 16,400/yr as well, but they said that there are more merit and need based aid, but they haven't finalized it yet. Perhaps contacting them early will help get those.</p>

7

<p>seuferk,
good luck. Remember to emphasize that Case is your first choice and that you really hope that they can help make it happen.</p>

8

<p>aphoticmelody would you mind sharing your efc? Mine is rather low, but my parents are not planning to contribute at all.</p>

9

<p>I believe my EFC was ~$7500 dollars, give or take a couple hundred.</p>

10

<p>Thanks aphoticmelody, I'm hoping my lower EFC will mean more grant money and not higher loans!</p>

11

<p>Good luck! :)</p>

<p>I've heard that the ratio of grant/loan money depends on how desirable a student you are for the school (stellar stats = more grant $, etc.) Not sure how true that is.</p>