When appealing/negotiating for more aid...

Paying for College
1

<p>When appealing/negotiating for more aid (as in scholarships and grants), is it better to just write a letter like they say or is it better to go in person? </p>

<p>I would love to go to USC, except for the key detriment is the cost. My EFC is outrageous, near 40k, leaving only around 10k of "demonstrated financial need". Anyways, my dad was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's (ALS) (8 months ago or so) and he will soon be forced to quit his job and go on disability until he dies in approximately 5 years. Obviously, with his 2/3 income being cut, we will have no where near an EFC of even 12k. I am going to USC on the 26 for admit day, and am going to talk to a counselor. Now, my question is, should I write a letter as well, or will a meeting suffice? Also, my mom and I are very persuasive (honestly, she does so much crap by talking), do you think this would even help? I'm not just trying to get money, I truly need it... Also, do you think, if they would like to help out and give me a scholarship/grant, that the turnaround would be by May 1st? It's between USC and UCLA, and whether I get money from USC WILL determine my next 4 years.</p>

2

<p>call the FA office on Monday. They need to know this new information and it is up to them how they will change your aid package. This is what professional judgments are for.</p>

<p>I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Enjoy the time you have with him</p>

3

<p>We were visiting the college anyway, so we stopped in the FA office. They said we had to write a letter, yada, yada, yada, and then they would take it to committee. I presume that showing up in person lets them know you are serious, but did not result in any instant decisions.</p>