Negotiate with colleges?

[Anonymous]

Fin aid is up on DC's "dream" college's website, and we're about $8,000 short of what the other, less preferred option costs. The two colleges are very similar and could almost be considered "rivals" (mid sized Catholic schools) so I'm wondering if it's plausible to go to college A and say, "DC really wants to go here, but college B is cheaper. Can you do anything?" and negotiate in a sense.

We got nothing (except loans) from both colleges so this is all merit money we're talking here. College A actually gave less in merit money than B, but their COA is also less.

And should the student do this, or the parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fin aid is up on DC's "dream" college's website, and we're about $8,000 short of what the other, less preferred option costs. The two colleges are very similar and could almost be considered "rivals" (mid sized Catholic schools) so I'm wondering if it's plausible to go to college A and say, "DC really wants to go here, but college B is cheaper. Can you do anything?" and negotiate in a sense.

We got nothing (except loans) from both colleges so this is all merit money we're talking here. College A actually gave less in merit money than B, but their COA is also less.

And should the student do this, or the parent?

Which is it? Financial aid or merit money? You're contradicting yourself.

Anyways, it's worth a try. But if you can afford them both and you simply don't want to pay the higher cost, I doubt they'll give your DC more.

[Anonymous]

We negotiated for more merit and got it at several colleges. However, my son was recruited for a sport that doesn't give boys scholarships so he magically got offered "merit" $. I don't know if the coach influenced the negotiations or not.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely negotiate. It's like buying a car--you never pay the sticker price or even the price the dealer offers.

In the end, what do you,have to lose? It's not like they would rescind the offer of admission.

[Anonymous]

True PP. My mom went back and asked for more money at the college I attended. They came up with a few thousand dollars more which allowed her to send me there.

[Anonymous]

Lol, I tried to do this when going to college when I had been waitlisted at my 1st choice. Admitted into 2nd and 3rd choices, the 2nd with aid but 3rd with a full ride. Went to the 2nd financial aid office and asked if there was anything they could do and was basically laughed out. I committed to the 3rd choice with a full ride but ended up getting off the wait list of my 1st choice and went there regardless of aid (which was minor during my freshman year and dwindled to $0 (only offered loans) during my senior year).

[Anonymous]

Fax them the other financial aid offer.

[Anonymous]

Yes, definitely negotiate.

[Anonymous]

We negotiated with our kids' college, and both times they increased our award substantially. If you have other aid awards from other schools it helps. Also, make sure they haven't applied their own formula incorrectly. We had this happen -- the college considered assets that shouldn't have been counted. We offered additional documentation and that strengthened our argument for more $.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fin aid is up on DC's "dream" college's website, and we're about $8,000 short of what the other, less preferred option costs. The two colleges are very similar and could almost be considered "rivals" (mid sized Catholic schools) so I'm wondering if it's plausible to go to college A and say, "DC really wants to go here, but college B is cheaper. Can you do anything?" and negotiate in a sense.

We got nothing (except loans) from both colleges so this is all merit money we're talking here. College A actually gave less in merit money than B, but their COA is also less.

And should the student do this, or the parent?

Which is it? Financial aid or merit money? You're contradicting yourself.

Anyways, it's worth a try. But if you can afford them both and you simply don't want to pay the higher cost, I doubt they'll give your DC more.

It's merit money, but we got that notification back when DC was accepted in January. When I said financial aid is up, I meant that the college officially released it's final packages and we did not get any financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fin aid is up on DC's "dream" college's website, and we're about $8,000 short of what the other, less preferred option costs. The two colleges are very similar and could almost be considered "rivals" (mid sized Catholic schools) so I'm wondering if it's plausible to go to college A and say, "DC really wants to go here, but college B is cheaper. Can you do anything?" and negotiate in a sense.

We got nothing (except loans) from both colleges so this is all merit money we're talking here. College A actually gave less in merit money than B, but their COA is also less.

And should the student do this, or the parent?

If you actually can't send him to the "dream" school without the extra money, then I'd say it can't hurt to try. A friend of mine's daughter called their second choice school and said "No, thank you". The school asked why and they said "money", which was partially true, and the second choice school offered more aid, so it could well work. So, it can definitely work.

I don't think you can call the school and I can't come without more aid" and then go, unless they offer you more aid, so don't lie if, in fact, your son is headed to the dream school regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We negotiated for more merit and got it at several colleges. However, my son was recruited for a sport that doesn't give boys scholarships so he magically got offered "merit" $. I don't know if the coach influenced the negotiations or not.

Please, PP, explain how you did this. DD has received merit aid offers from three schools -- two privates and one in-state. The in-state tuition is a fraction of the private tuition, and no way does the merit aid from the privates come close to matching the cost of the in-state school. DD wants to go to one of the privates. How on earth do I approach them? Do I call the admissions officer, the dean of admissions, the dean of financial aid? And what do I say? My child expects to get into some elite schools (good indications, but we'll know in a few weeks), but none will give merit aid. Can I use these offers (if she gets them) in my negotiations? Do I do the negotiating or does my child do it? I'm paying, so I'm assuming I'm negotiating, no?

Are colleges getting more calls like these from parents like us (not "eligible" for FA, but can't afford private tuition)? Any help most appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We negotiated for more merit and got it at several colleges. However, my son was recruited for a sport that doesn't give boys scholarships so he magically got offered "merit" $. I don't know if the coach influenced the negotiations or not.

Please, PP, explain how you did this. DD has received merit aid offers from three schools -- two privates and one in-state. The in-state tuition is a fraction of the private tuition, and no way does the merit aid from the privates come close to matching the cost of the in-state school. DD wants to go to one of the privates. How on earth do I approach them? Do I call the admissions officer, the dean of admissions, the dean of financial aid? And what do I say? My child expects to get into some elite schools (good indications, but we'll know in a few weeks), but none will give merit aid. Can I use these offers (if she gets them) in my negotiations? Do I do the negotiating or does my child do it? I'm paying, so I'm assuming I'm negotiating, no?

Are colleges getting more calls like these from parents like us (not "eligible" for FA, but can't afford private tuition)? Any help most appreciated.

NP - I doubt you will be able to get "significantly" more merit money out of them. You can call the financial aid office and ask for a reconsideration... Say"from school A we received $x (merit) award, could you please reconsider our award?"... Usually, they will give you a couple Ks more but that's about it. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread in case anyone is negotiating successfully for more merit money and can share a positive outcome! DD is devastated her first choice did not offer enough merit $$ for her to attend. We are not eligible for FA.

She's waiting for all offers (five more schools), and then has her heart set on negotiating at her top choice for more merit aid. I don't think it's going to work, and I've been gently trying to warn her, but DD is determined! She's a great student, great stats, sports, etc., but we can't spend our retirement $$ on private tuition for her with three other kids to educate too!

Any hopeful stories out there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread in case anyone is negotiating successfully for more merit money and can share a positive outcome! DD is devastated her first choice did not offer enough merit $$ for her to attend. We are not eligible for FA.

She's waiting for all offers (five more schools), and then has her heart set on negotiating at her top choice for more merit aid. I don't think it's going to work, and I've been gently trying to warn her, but DD is determined! She's a great student, great stats, sports, etc., but we can't spend our retirement $$ on private tuition for her with three other kids to educate too!

Any hopeful stories out there?

Can't give any specifics? It's an anonymous forum.