Negotiating scholarships for need based schools

[Orthopedics101]

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Hey guys,

I’m sorry if this has been asked before but for schools that only give need based scholarships/grants and no merit-based, is it possible to use money you get from another school to get a better financial package from that school? Also, if it is, since your financial package is re-evaluated every year, will they be able to take away that money after your first year?

 

[deleted480308]

Hey guys,

I’m sorry if this has been asked before but for schools that only give need based scholarships/grants and no merit-based, is it possible to use money you get from another school to get a better financial package from that school? Also, if it is, since your financial package is re-evaluated every year, will they be able to take away that money after your first year?

They can take away merit so i assume they can take away need.....but you will still qualify for the loans so you’ll still have as much money as everyone else

 

[Orthopedics101]

They can take away merit so i assume they can take away need.....but you will still qualify for the loans so you’ll still have as much money as everyone else

Well merit based, if not guaranteed for 4 years, won’t really change if you pass all your class right? If they give you a need based scholarship to get you to attend that isn’t “needed” based on their financial aid departments evaluation of your ability to pay, is there anything stopping them from taking it away when you’re a 2nd year?

 

[3toedsloth]

Well merit based, if not guaranteed for 4 years, won’t really change if you pass all your class right? If they give you a need based scholarship to get you to attend that isn’t “needed” based on their financial aid departments evaluation of your ability to pay, is there anything stopping them from taking it away when you’re a 2nd year?

Uh, your financial situation could change. You could get a large distribution from a trust fund, inherit some money, have a business that brings in some heavy cash.... or the school could not have the funds.

It can change. It depends on the terms of the scholarship. Ask the school directly.

 

[Orthopedics101]

Uh, your financial situation could change. You could get a large distribution from a trust fund, inherit some money, have a business that brings in some heavy cash.... or the school could not have the funds.

It can change. It depends on the terms of the scholarship. Ask the school directly.

Yeh, I get all that. I guess I’m just wondering how schools that don’t offer merit attract applicants.

 

[deleted480308]

Yeh, I get all that. I guess I’m just wondering how schools that don’t offer merit attract applicants.

Because they are ——-ing medical schools.....they don’t have to offer anything except a medical degree and people line up around the block

 

[Orthopedics101]

Because they are ——-ing medical schools.....they don’t have to offer anything except a medical degree and people line up around the block

Ehh if that was the case then they wouldn’t be giving scholarships and you wouldn’t be able to leverage....

 

[deleted480308]

Ehh if that was the case then they wouldn’t be giving scholarships and you wouldn’t be able to leverage....

some schools still want to pick their favorites out of the line, but make no mistake that there is indeed a line and you are 100% replaceable with 1000 students that would punch a kitten for your seat

 

[bae2017]

Hey guys,

I’m sorry if this has been asked before but for schools that only give need based scholarships/grants and no merit-based, is it possible to use money you get from another school to get a better financial package from that school? Also, if it is, since your financial package is re-evaluated every year, will they be able to take away that money after your first year?

I asked this at one school and basically if they are only need-based, they will not try to match offers from other schools. Each school has their own algorithm for taking all of the info in FAFSA/CSS and calculating a final expected family contribution. If EFC is less than full tuition they will cover the rest with some combination of loans/scholarships, and they will give you the best package they can (all of the ones you qualify for). The school mentioned that if there is some serious discrepancy in calculated EFCs between two schools, you can tell them and they will take another look and see if there was a mistake somewhere. But they will not be able to scrounge up more money in order to make you a better offer. Hope that helps!

 

[ciestar]

My school requires you to reapply for the need-based scholarships every year, so yes, if your income changes you can lose that money.

As for your original question, no, probably not. It would be hard to leverage a need-based scholarship against a merit-based one. Now, if BOTH schools were offering you merit-based scholarships, then you’d for sure have a case. To reiterate what was said before, yes, there are hundreds of applicants waitlisted that would die for your spot, many of whom wouldn’t even need the scholarship.

 

[deleted480308]

My school requires you to reapply for the need-based scholarships every year, so yes, if your income changes you can lose that money.

As for your original question, no, probably not. It would be hard to leverage a need-based scholarship against a merit-based one. Now, if BOTH schools were offering you merit-based scholarships, then you’d for sure have a case. To reiterate what was said before, yes, there are hundreds of applicants waitlisted that would die for your response, many of whom wouldn’t even need the scholarship.

and again.....no medical student "needs" a need based scholarship. They all qualify for the loans if they haven't torched their credit

 

[ciestar]

and again.....no medical student "needs" a need based scholarship. They all qualify for the loans if they haven't torched their credit

Also this. I am paying for school 100% on loans. I qualified for FAP when applying, no need-based aid here.

 

[Orthopedics101]

I asked this at one school and basically if they are only need-based, they will not try to match offers from other schools. Each school has their own algorithm for taking all of the info in FAFSA/CSS and calculating a final expected family contribution. If EFC is less than full tuition they will cover the rest with some combination of loans/scholarships, and they will give you the best package they can (all of the ones you qualify for). The school mentioned that if there is some serious discrepancy in calculated EFCs between two schools, you can tell them and they will take another look and see if there was a mistake somewhere. But they will not be able to scrounge up more money in order to make you a better offer. Hope that helps!

Thanks! Upsetting but very helpful