| I'd add that it's best to attempt this at just one or two schools that the student is most interested in attending. It's not an auction process, and if a school matches an award from another school at your request you should think about saying "yes". You don't have to agree on the spot, of course, but if the student isn't serious about attending that school why waste everyone's time?
It's unlikely that a college would do much better than match another school's offer. The usual phrase would be, "We don't want cost to be the determining factor in this important decision." Don't expect these schools to engage in a bidding war.
Accepted student visit days are often a good time to meet in person with a financial aid officer. |