I called the FA office to beg for more $$$ and failed

[sdnstud]

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I received a financial aid offer from School X last week and though I got a 8.5K scholarship, I wasn't pleased with 35K+ of unsubsidized loans. In an attempt to improve my FA package, I called the school today and begged. I was told that, unless I make significant changes to my (and my parents) earning, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING i can do to have my financial aid offer reconsidered.

Is this true? I've heard stories of people talking to the dean and getting a few more $K added to their packages.

 

[lulubean]

I received a financial aid offer from School X last week and though I got a 8.5K scholarship, I wasn't pleased with 35K+ of unsubsidized loans. In an attempt to improve my FA package, I called the school today and begged. I was told that, unless I make significant changes to my (and my parents) earning, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING i can do to have my financial aid offer reconsidered.

Is this true? I've heard stories of people talking to the dean and getting a few more $K added to their packages.

from what i understand, if a comparable school offers you more money, you can use that as a grounds for negotiation. otherwise, you're stuck with it.

 

[Shredder]

have some pride, never beg

 

[Uegis]

I was about to do some bargaining of my own. The school I wanted to go to only gave me a paltry 3K, but another school in the same state with the same tuiton gave me 3/4 tuition off. Do you think I can use that to bargain? The school with the 3K aid did say they cap it at that unless you were invited to apply for a separate scholarship (which I wasn't).

 

[beebs]

from what i understand, if a comparable school offers you more money, you can use that as a grounds for negotiation. otherwise, you're stuck with it.

has this ever worked for anyone?

 

[51487]

im sure its dependent on what the school WANTS to do...they can change whatever they want--they choose to or not to

i say always ask

 

[lulubean]

has this ever worked for anyone?

i was told by FA administrators at both NYU and Columbia that if if i got some money i should come back, and they would reevaluate my aid package. i know for certain it worked for an MS1 at Columbia.

 

[CarleneM]

My parents and I successfully bargained for $3000 more in scholarship money last week. We went into the FA office and pretty much laid all the cards on the table, mortgage bills and all. They do have flexibility and there are judgment calls in their formulations. They'll tell you its all formulas but the value they assign to assets and situations is subjective, within reason. The woman in FA was so nice and understanding so I have a feeling we got lucky.