<p>My S got a small merit award from Whitman College and won other merit scholarship after an on-campus interviewing process. Together, we still couldn't afford the school. We respectfully requested a review from the Financial Aid office and submitted additional information and updated figures as things had changed in the last 5 months since we had filled out the CSS and FAFSA. I also talked to the Director personally for over 1/2 hour explaining things in detail. She was an extremely lovely person, encouraging and understanding and never judgmental. After an anxious 2 weeks we just heard from them and the revised package allows us to send him to Whitman. The FA office was very professional, thorough and especially, compassionate. We can't be more pleased! My S is so excited and looking forward to starting his new life at Whitman. </p>
<p>He had been accepted to some other higher ranking schools (Middlebury, Tufts) but the opportunity that Whitman has now offered him (and us) to not have to go into major debt could not be passed up. Middlebury offered no aid and Tufts offered a decent amount but nothing like Whitman. It is an amazing school with fabulous facilites and he will do very well there. </p>
<p>Soooo - don't give up on your financial aid appeals - give it your best shot and you could be pleasantly surprised, as we were. As they say - "It never hurts to ask"! Good luck!</p>