Asking for larger merit package

trackmbe3
Sun, 15 Jan 2017 15:19:07 +0000

@mom2collegekids what if my daughter has not yet visited? I am not in a position to negotiate yet. She received generous merit aid from a very expensive school that we can’t afford unless we get more aid. But it is her top choice school. The school does not meet 100% need-based aid so I don’t expect any need based aid will be coming when I receive the financial aid package next month or the month after next. However based on my EFC of $28K I think I would be able to get a better package from a comparable school (since I will have two kids in college next fall). I was thinking of waiting until after she visits in march --this way if the school does not meet or exceed her expectations it’s a nonissue and we don’t need to pursue this any further. And if, as I expext, she will love the school i can say she will attend if the school is able to offer x amount more. I am thinking that by March I might be able to attach some need based offers from other comparable schools (which meet 100% need) that exceed the merit aid offer of this school she loves. So if I wait till march I might be in a better position to try and make this top choice school affordable for us. What do you think? Or, alternatively, should I reach out now as a placeholder to let the admissions office know we will need more aid to attend and say I will contact them again after our visit?