We were able to get an extra $20K scholarship over 4 years (5K/year) from our recent financial aid appeal. (Between two competitive liberal arts colleges.) This will allow DD to attend an expensive private college for very close to the cost of the large state school her brother attends!
Here are some of the things we did:
- Asked our admission counselor/rep for help. Ours was extremely helpful and even looked over our appeal letter and gave us tips. (Emails and phone calls.)
- Made sure the two colleges are truly competitive schools. The financial aid rep at #1 school actually said that they knew the people at the financial aid dept of school #2 quite well! (#2 is in a neighboring state). Not sure if that means they called to confirm the package school #2 gave or not.
- We specifically asked if at all possible for scholarships or grants. (School number two had given a generous package of mostly grants and scholarships and a larger % of the total cost.)
- Spent a lot of time on our letter and read as much as possible online regarding appeals.
- Included the competitive offer with our letter.
- Included uncovered medical bills due to a chronic illness of a family member as well as loans from siblings college education. Also included that we will actually have multiple children in college in the fall.
- Personally spoke with financial aid office
- Inserted how DD wanted to go to their school even though she had a better offer from other college. Really made that crystal clear that if they could help us out more financially that she would immediately accept the offer and she did!
- Prayed, meditated, thought positive thoughts, prayed more and waited. It took only 3 days. (This was just last week so they were motivated to complete things I am sure.)
Hope this is helpful, if not for 2015 graduates, perhaps 2016 graduates.