When is it acceptable to ask about scholarships?

[ownowbrowncow19]

I'm currently narrowing down my decision between a handful of schools. One school has offered me a significant scholarship at this point. If I had to decide today, I would definitely lean towards that school for financial reasons. However, there are three other schools that I would also consider if awarded significant financial aid. According to their websites, these schools typically release scholarship decisions later in the spring.

Would there be any harm/benefit to contacting the schools and asking them if they would match the scholarship? Should I just wait patiently until they release scholarship decisions, or would it be better to communicate early before decisions have been finalized?

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[907914]

I'm currently narrowing down my decision between a handful of schools. One school has offered me a significant scholarship at this point. If I had to decide today, I would definitely lean towards that school for financial reasons. However, there are three other schools that I would also consider if awarded significant financial aid. According to their websites, these schools typically release scholarship decisions later in the spring.

Would there be any harm/benefit to contacting the schools and asking them if they would match the scholarship? Should I just wait patiently until they release scholarship decisions, or would it be better to communicate early before decisions have been finalized?

With the new traffic rules, I have unfortunately been seeing a lot of schools changing to where they only give out financial aid information after April 15th....I would check each schools website/fiancial aid section to see what’s up. Email the financial aid office, don’t ask if hey would match the scholarship. Ask when you can expect that info if it is not otherwise on their website.

 

[Boola Boy]

Rule #1 of Negotiations: Whoever gives the first number loses!

Don't tell them about the scholarship until you have received financial aid info.

You don't have to commit to a school until April 30. If you turn in everything on time, you will have finaid info by then. Contact each school to figure out the timelines for finaid.

Good luck! Also, don't just rely on "aid". Apply to scholarships!

 

[907914]

Actually, the reason for the change in traffic rules may also impact financial aid info directly. That is, schools may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school. You may have to make a school decision with little or no FA info

So a huge implication of this may be the most medical schools in the next couple cycles completely doing away with all merit based scholarships?

 

[Med Ed]

Would there be any harm/benefit to contacting the schools and asking them if they would match the scholarship? Should I just wait patiently until they release scholarship decisions, or would it be better to communicate early before decisions have been finalized?

All schools I have knowledge of keep "recruitment funds" on hand to nab high value applicants before April. You should contact the other schools on your list and explain the situation. They will either make counteroffers or wish you good luck.

 

[Goro]

So a huge implication of this may be the most medical schools in the next couple cycles completely doing away with all merit based scholarships?

That's not what he said.

 

[907914]

That's not what he said.

If merit based scholarships tend to be used as recruitment tools, and schools are supposed to stop giving FA offers until one school has been selected, then won’t merit based scholarships fair away as their main purpose (recruitment) is no longer allowed?

 

[Goro]

If merit based scholarships tend to be used as recruitment tools, and schools are supposed to stop giving FA offers until one school has been selected, then won’t merit based scholarships fair away as their main purpose (recruitment) is no longer allowed?

The scholarships will still be there, but people will have to make their school choices knowing that they are there, rather than having them waved in the applicants faces as recruiting tools.

 

[907914]

The scholarships will still be there, but people will have to make their school choices knowing that they are there, rather than having them waved in the applicants faces as recruiting tools.

gotcha, I guess that makes sense. Do you think that this will make schools more transparent in what scholarships they have and what their selection criteria are? Being that they can’t waive the scholarships in the students faces as a Recruitment tool

 

[Goro]

gotcha, I guess that makes sense. Do you think that this will make schools more transparent in what scholarships they have and what their selection criteria are? Being that they can’t waive the scholarships in the students faces as a Recruitment tool

That's what I'd do.

At interviews and on the school website, make sure it's know that
"Scholarships X, Y , and Z are available"

 

[Throwaway5129]

All schools I have knowledge of keep "recruitment funds" on hand to nab high value applicants before April. You should contact the other schools on your list and explain the situation. They will either make counteroffers or wish you good luck.

Do you'd advise OP to contact the other schools about scholarships sooner rather than later? As in before they issue him/her an financial aid award letter?
Asking because I've received a scholarship at one school, and an acceptance at another school that won't provide financial aid info until late April.

 

[LadyGlen]

Actually, the reason for the change in traffic rules may also impact financial aid info directly. That is, schools may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school. You may have to make a school decision with little or no FA info

Would you mind elaborating on this? Is this something you predict for the current cycle? FA is a huge factor for me, and I can't imagine making a decision without that information. I have been fortunate enough to receive a COA scholarship at one of my acceptances, but I'm still waiting on a few schools. Might I need to decide without that information?

 

[theKingLT]

With the new traffic rules, I have unfortunately been seeing a lot of schools changing to where they only give out financial aid information after April 15th....I would check each schools website/fiancial aid section to see what’s up. Email the financial aid office, don’t ask if hey would match the scholarship. Ask when you can expect that info if it is not otherwise on their website.

Actually, the reason for the change in traffic rules may also impact financial aid info directly. That is, schools may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school. You may have to make a school decision with little or no FA info

I don't follow why schools would do this though. If they have the merit scholarships why would they want to withhold them instead of offering them prior to traffic day to make sure they get the applicants they want?

 

[DokterMom]

Actually, the reason for the change in traffic rules may also impact financial aid info directly. That is, schools may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school. You may have to make a school decision with little or no FA info

When you say schools "may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school" are you using the word 'may' as a synonym for 'might' -- as in "they might elect not say"? Or are you using the word as in "being permitted to"-- as in "they are not permitted to say"?

Just my own personal opinion, but I'd suggest that if you have multiple acceptances and your decision may be affected by varying financial aid offers, that you write to each of the schools and ask about financial aid. A polite, well-written letter will never diminish your chances and it could pry loose some scholarship money. Do be humble, tactful, grateful and truthful; and don't promise anything you're not willing to deliver on. Strive for clarity and directness because a vague non-answer helps no one. Know also that schools want to 'firm up' their class lists also -- though in fairness, probably not quite as much as you do...

 

[Boola Boy]

Just my own personal opinion, but I'd suggest that if you have multiple acceptances and your decision may be affected by varying financial aid offers, that you write to each of the schools and ask about financial aid. A polite, well-written letter will never diminish your chances and it could pry loose some scholarship money. Do be humble, tactful, grateful and truthful; and don't promise anything you're not willing to deliver on. Strive for clarity and directness because a vague non-answer helps no one. Know also that schools want to 'firm up' their class lists also -- though in fairness, probably not quite as much as you do...

I thought schools will be able to see whether or not you have multiple acceptances after Feb 15th?

My strategy so far has simply been to ask when finaid info will be released. I don't see the point in contacting the school directly and telling them that financial aid will impact your decision to go there. Don't they already know that? That's why you submitted the FAFSA in the first place.

Not trying to be snarky. I just feel like calling/e-maililng too much might get you the ire of the financial aid office sooner or later.

Edit: I would also repeat that there are plenty of scholarships out there open for the taking...a $500 scholarship here and a $1000 scholarship there adds up...

 

[ownowbrowncow19]

All schools I have knowledge of keep "recruitment funds" on hand to nab high value applicants before April. You should contact the other schools on your list and explain the situation. They will either make counteroffers or wish you good luck.

When you say schools "may not give out any until you have made a committed choice to a school" are you using the word 'may' as a synonym for 'might' -- as in "they might elect not say"? Or are you using the word as in "being permitted to"-- as in "they are not permitted to say"?

Just my own personal opinion, but I'd suggest that if you have multiple acceptances and your decision may be affected by varying financial aid offers, that you write to each of the schools and ask about financial aid. A polite, well-written letter will never diminish your chances and it could pry loose some scholarship money. Do be humble, tactful, grateful and truthful; and don't promise anything you're not willing to deliver on. Strive for clarity and directness because a vague non-answer helps no one. Know also that schools want to 'firm up' their class lists also -- though in fairness, probably not quite as much as you do...

I’m leaning towards writing a letter to just one school that typically releases merit aid decisions in early spring. Should I be explicit about the amount of my scholarship in this letter?

 

[ownowbrowncow19]

I thought schools will be able to see whether or not you have multiple acceptances after Feb 15th?

My strategy so far has simply been to ask when finaid info will be released. I don't see the point in contacting the school directly and telling them that financial aid will impact your decision to go there. Don't they already know that? That's why you submitted the FAFSA in the first place.

Not trying to be snarky. I just feel like calling/e-maililng too much might get you the ire of the financial aid office sooner or later.

Edit: I would also repeat that there are plenty of scholarships out there open for the taking...a $500 scholarship here and a $1000 scholarship there adds up...

I see where you’re coming from! However, the school advertises the typical release time-frame for merit aid. Also, they will not know that I have a scholarship offer elsewhere unless I tell them. I feel like the worst that could happen is they tell me to take a hike.

 

[Med Ed]

I’m leaning towards writing a letter to just one school that typically releases merit aid decisions in early spring. Should I be explicit about the amount of my scholarship in this letter?

Would you rather go to this one school? If so, why?

 

[ownowbrowncow19]

Would you rather go to this one school? If so, why?

I would! Without giving away too much, I think the curriculum fits my learning style better, the location is closer to my family and the school offers some unique clinical opportunities that I would be able to take advantage of.

 

[DokterMom]

I thought schools will be able to see whether or not you have multiple acceptances after Feb 15th?

My strategy so far has simply been to ask when finaid info will be released. I don't see the point in contacting the school directly and telling them that financial aid will impact your decision to go there. Don't they already know that? That's why you submitted the FAFSA in the first place.

Not trying to be snarky. I just feel like calling/e-maililng too much might get you the ire of the financial aid office sooner or later.

Edit: I would also repeat that there are plenty of scholarships out there open for the taking...a $500 scholarship here and a $1000 scholarship there adds up...

The multiple acceptance reports rules have changed this year. I haven't paid too much attention to all of the particulars, but my understanding is that schools will no longer be able to see who holds what acceptances, so this year, I would suggest that highly-qualified students holding >1 acceptance might be in a stronger negotiating position than in previous years. There are multiple threads on exactly this topic where experts who have paid close attention explain this year's new rules, so search for them.

I do agree with your observation that calling/e-mailing too much could be annoying, which is why I'd advise wording your one outreach communication very specifically to get the information you need to make a decision.

So - If you hold an acceptance and scholarship from State U that brings your cost of attendance down to $20K per year, but your clear first choice is Other U where you have also been accepted, explain to Other U why they are your first choice and [briefly] why you are a great fit for them and ask what they can do to help bridge the affordability gap and enable you to attend. Your specificity now enables Other U to decide how far they are willing to go to secure your firm commitment.

If you have five acceptances and are offer-juggling, you will need to be a bit vague and may not want to make any specific promises.

 

[Boola Boy]

I do agree with your observation that calling/e-mailing too much could be annoying, which is why I'd advise wording your one outreach communication very specifically to get the information you need to make a decision.

If you have five acceptances and are offer-juggling, you will need to be a bit vague and may not want to make any specific promises.

I see your point. I have been e-mailing schools where I have acceptances to ask a) when financial aid information be released if it is not stated on their websites and b) asking about application procedures for scholarships that are listed on their website. I am juggling, so I have been vague.

 

[Master Thinker]

Did you guys contact the admissions or the financial aid office regarding scholarships?

 

[Boola Boy]

Did you guys contact the admissions or the financial aid office regarding scholarships?

Check the school's financial aid website before contact them -- there is often info about scholarships on the website. If you don't see anything, then I would say an e-mail wouldn't hurt.

Certain schools have contacted me about scholarships that they offer. Not all of them I qualify for, or are things that I am particularly interested in, but it's hard to say no to free money.

 

[theKingLT]

Did you guys contact the admissions or the financial aid office regarding scholarships?

If you're talking about trying to ask a school to match a scholarship from another school I would think admissions, since they generally are in charge of merit scholarships. Financial aid office in my experience just deals with your financial need and spits out a loan/aid package based on that. You can also email with your situation and ask who would be best to talk to.