How to get more money from schools

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

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So I'm currently dwindling down two acceptances, one is my dream school, and the other is a school I'd be okay with going to. My second choice school gave me a pretty substantial scholarship, and I want to know how to bargain with my top choice to get more money from them. Who do I contact at the school? What do I say? Should I contact the diversity office (I'm URM)? Is it rude to ask for more, mentioning that another school gave a lot and you might go there just because of the money? Essentially, I'm just trying to find out the most appropriate and productive way to get my top choice school to give me more aid! Help!

 

[Mad Jack]

If you are actually going to go to another school largely due to the aid package, you should be honest with the school you are potentially withdrawing from and see if they'll meet you at least half way, or preferably, all the way. It doesn't always work, but it's worth a shot.

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

bummpppppp

 

[Glandzburg]

Countless students have already asked this exact question. The general consensus is that it doesn't hurt to inform the school of another school's offer to see if they'll match it. Perform a search and you'll find a plethora of answers to your question.

 

[noleknight16]

Countless students have already asked this exact question. The general consensus is that it doesn't hurt to inform the school of another school's offer to see if they'll match it. Perform a search and you'll find a plethora of answers to your question.

Is this true for DO schools also?

 

[justadream]

Is this true for DO schools also?

It would be true for basically any type of school in the world.

It's not like a school is going to rescind an acceptance just because you are concerned about the financial package and want to get more.

 

[efle]

It would be true for basically any type of school in the world.

It's not like a school is going to rescind an acceptance just because you are concerned about the financial package and want to get more.

I've seen several times though that schools are much more willing to raise their aid offers if they're being outbid by a similarly-selective school. If the scholarship offer is from a total no-name relative to big fancy dream school, they're less likely to raise their aid.

Which seems odd, actually. Why do they care where else is stealing you? They lose you either way. Maybe they just bank on their name being worth more than the cash to most people in such situations

 

[butternutsquash]

What if you don't receive any scholarship offers but are choosing between two schools with different tuition rates? Would you have a good shot at getting a scholarship to match the cheaper school?

 

[miszfifi820]

I think you should speak to someone in the diversity office to begin with, if youre dream school has an actual diversity office. Sometimes they have scholarships allotted specifically for underrepresented or disadvantaged students. I believe in person would be better, if it is do-able for you. Or request the email of someone in the diversity department. Tell them youre situation about wanting to attend their school but you are receiving offers from other schools without sounding arrogant and demanding (thats why I think in person would be better). Thats what I plan on doing once I receive the financial aid package at my top school.

 

[NickNaylor]

What if you don't receive any scholarship offers but are choosing between two schools with different tuition rates? Would you have a good shot at getting a scholarship to match the cheaper school?

There is no hard and fast generalization to this topic. At the end of the day, if you're concerned about cost, mention it to the school tacitly and see what happens. You're not going to be rejected simply for asking, and it could be the quickest money you ever make in your life short of winning the lottery.