Scholarship matching - when to ask?

[rejectedoncealready]

I'm in the very fortunate position of holding multiple acceptances to four schools that I really love (and would have a tough time choosing between as is). I just found out I got a pretty impressive scholarship from one of those schools, but I am curious if those other schools would match that offer.

I have yet to receive financial aid information from any of the other schools, so my question is: should I inform them of this other scholarship offer before or after they send their initial fin aid offers? I worry that if I wait to ask them to match until they've sent out financial aid info, they will have run out of funds and may no longer be able to match my scholarship. On the flip side, I worry that if I send them this offer now, that if they'd been considering me for a larger/even better scholarship, they will now just match me and move on. I've searched and read through a couple of similar threads on here, but I couldn't find much regarding the appropriate time to ask for scholarship matches.

Any advice or opinions are appreciated! Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I'm in the very fortunate position of holding multiple acceptances to four schools that I really love (and would have a tough time choosing between as is). I just found out I got a pretty impressive scholarship from one of those schools, but I am curious if those other schools would match that offer.

I have yet to receive financial aid information from any of the other schools, so my question is: should I inform them of this other scholarship offer before or after they send their initial fin aid offers? I worry that if I wait to ask them to match until they've sent out financial aid info, they will have run out of funds and may no longer be able to match my scholarship. On the flip side, I worry that if I send them this offer now, that if they'd been considering me for a larger/even better scholarship, they will now just match me and move on. I've searched and read through a couple of similar threads on here, but I couldn't find much regarding the appropriate time to ask for scholarship matches.

Any advice or opinions are appreciated! Thank you!

Don't send them your specific offer, say that you've been offered a large scholarship but would much prefer to go to their school if they are able to subsidize your education.
While there is nothing to lose, just know that most places will respond by saying "sounds great! Have fun at XXX Medical School".

 

[Nurse2MD2018]

Sent in my award letters from other schools to my top choice and a few days later they provided me an offer that was better than the others. You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying.

 

[sarahishappy123]

I have the same question! My state school just offered me a large scholarship making their tuition 1/3 of that of my top choice. I know it would be near impossible to get the tuition matched, but any offer would help me make my decision. My top school hasn’t given me my financial aid info yet. I don’t know whether I should wait or reach out now. And when I do send them the information, should I disclose the award amount?

 

[DokterMom]

Just an opinion, but mine is that sooner is better -- a) before the money is all doled out, and b) so there's enough time for back & forths should things go that way.

How specific should you be in the information you offer? If the award you have in hand is small, I'd suggest being vague to let them offer first. If the offer you have is generous, be diplomatic, truthful, but less vague -- for example, "full-tuition" or "lower my cost of attendance to roughly $20,000 per year". The other school may ask to verify your offer, so for goodness' sake, don't lie!

Be enthusiastic and truthful about the school your seeking money from, but don't make promises you aren't willing to deliver on. Don't say you'll definitely attend School B if they 'match' School A's offer unless that's truly how you feel and aren't likely to waffle if School A increases their offer in response.