Requesting more Financial Aid...

[muggle911]

What is the proper way to request - phone call, email? Who does this go to - financial aid, the dean, the adcom?

It's not too late in the cycle to ask, is it?

I just got off the WL at a great school but am considering sticking with my first school (state school). The WL school is now forming my fin aid package, but my state schools package was pretty much all loans.

If I contact my state school and ask for more aid, should I tell them that they are my top choice (which they are) or will that diminish the chance that they give me some kind of merit aid?

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[TMP-SMX]

You are kind of late in the game here and in general state schools aren't known for their merit scholarships. Need-based aid sure but not merit based. Merit-based aid has already gone out.

 

[fusionx22]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with the above poster. Merit aid is probably gone at your state school, but it doesn't hurt to try. When I asked for more aid, I called the director of admissions (who also happened to be the head of the finaid department lol), and he took care of it. Good luck, and I hope you're fortunate enough to receive more aid!

 

[muggle911]

Thanks for the help guys!
I just got off the waitlist at another school so now I'm thinking about asking for more aid and mentioning both other schools. Would that be okay? I understand that the merit aid may have already gone out, but I hope there's no harm in me asking.

 

[SnarkyMD]

Thanks for the help guys!
I just got off the waitlist at another school so now I'm thinking about asking for more aid and mentioning both other schools. Would that be okay? I understand that the merit aid may have already gone out, but I hope there's no harm in me asking.

No harm at all. All schools are set up differently. Usually the dean of admissions is the person to talk to. They'll know you got off the waitlist so would probably be willing to talk shop. I say go for it. I had one conversation where I played hard ball with Penn that eked out another 20K over my 4 years. Not bad for a 10 minute phone call. Go for it!