Should we tell one college about the merit money offered by their competitors?

Parents Forum
1

We are going to an admitted student reception tomorrow in our city for my daughter’s first choice college, Hendrix. There will be other families and students from Houston who are or have attended Hendrix. My daughter’s admissions rep will be there. Hendrix gave her pretty good merit dollars but two of Hendrix’s competitors, Austin and Knox, have given her more merit money. In one case, it’s $5k more per year which over 4 years is significant. She has been invited to apply for a full ride scholarship but there are only 4 (plus for tuition only scholarships) so the chances of that are not a sure thing. Is is okay to tell them that those colleges gave her more money? At Austin, she got the Presidential Scholarship. They actually put the amount for that on their website so if we just mentioned Presidential, he would be able to figure out how much.

Let me know your thoughts.

2

Unless you have a private appointment set up to discuss things, then no, I don’t think you should bring this up at a reception. You might ask to set up an appointment with the rep, or ask when you could talk to them about the financial aspects. I certainly discuss is, just not at a reception.

3

I agree, unless you happen to be talking one on one with rep, then maybe you explain situation and ask IF you should set up an appointment. Gets the information across at least!

4

Agreed. It’s OK to bring it up, but a reception is not the place and time.

5

I personally think this is not the subject for a reception type of affair. Certainly you can bring these offers up with the school…but do so by phone and email. I would not do this at a reception.

6

Yes, I agree. You can ask for his or her contact information at the reception (if you don’t have it already and don’t see it online) and then get in touch privately.

7

This is a duplicate thread which is also posted on the financial aid forum.

I’ll repeat what I posted there. I would not suggest discussing this at a reception. It is not the forum for,this type of discussion. Call the school and discuss this with them. Follow it up with an email. Or make an appointment with the financial aid office if you are able to visit the school itself.

An accepted student reception is not the right venue for this conversation.

8

Thanks for the tips. I was asking in general, not to discuss at the reception. I realize now I didn’t make that clear. We will be going to campus in early February so we’ll address then. However, I’m not sure the Financial Aid office is the right place either, thumper1. I’m pretty sure admissions handles merit aid, according to what the rep told my daughter in her interview. We have not received the financial aid package part yet which would be the Financial Aid office.

9

Make an appointment with the financial aid office for your February visit. Take the other offers with you. Make copies too. Some schools will gladly discuss other schools…and make adjustments. Some absolutely will not. But yes…do this when you visit the campus. Your kiddo should be at this appointment.

If you think admissions is the right place…make an appointment there too.

We did this…and spoke only to financial aid…YMMV depending on the school.

10

^^^
agreed.

Are these peer schools? If not, they won’t care.

11

Whatever college u are negotiating w, just make sure the merit-granting competitor school is at least a peer school. A very selective school won’t care about a competing merit offer from a less selective school.

12

Well…the OP says the schools are H drid, Knox and Austin.

Would these be peer schools? Seems like it!

But sometimes it doesn’t matter.

DD got,accepted to University of San Diego and Santa Clara University which are peer schools.and draw many of the same applicants. USD absolutely would not discuss their financial aid award…period. SCU was very willing to do,so, and in fact wanted to see the USD award. Santa Clara also added some money to DD’s financial aid. USD wouldn’t even discuss their award, Nevermind alter it.

13

Thanks. They are peer schools and reps of each school specifically asked during the interview process whether she had applied to the others.

14

I would answer the where has she applied question, if asked and see where the conversation goes. Her possibility of attending will likely come next.

15

Agree with Thumper and others.

I’d add that responses to your statement would evoke these impulsive, visceral replies:

“If you get a better deal there, then go there.”

“Instead of asking me why we’re offering less, ask them why they’re offering more.”

16

There are also answers to the OPs questions, plus more info, on the thread in the parents forum.

The OP is planning a visit to the Hendrix campus in February. That is the time to pose this question. She should make an appointment with financial aid, and maybe admissions to discuss financial aid.

But I will add…this is a merit award she is talking about. Even though these are peer schools, there could be very different criteria for awarding merit awards.

17

If OP is talking about a merit scholarship, she should be discussing that with the admissions office who gave the scholarship.

The bigger question is what are your daughter’s stats? While she may be competitive for a a "nice’ scholarship at Hendrix, she may not have been competitive enough for more money from them.
When she got the other scholarships, do they have specific SAT/ACT- GPA requirement?

18

I say - “Speak now or forever hold you peace!”

The worst that can happen is that they say they cannot give more…but what if they say “Yes!”

Once you accept a schools offer, it will never get any better.

19

Op has until May 1, 2015 to speak. There is no need to rush things. IMHO, she would wait until she has all offers in hand

20

Agreed! I would also suggest trying to include something that either wasn’t included or obvious about your finances in the FAFSA or CSS…something other than just we want more money.