<p>I have a friend a couple of years ago that got into most of the ivies, but got different financial aid packages at each. He told me he was able to use his offer from columbia to up the offer at princeton, and then he used the new princeton offer to get a full ride out of yale. The beauty of it is, since he “negotiated”, the aid is locked in for four years. Is it actually possible to get aid from an ivy by doing this? Say if I get into princeton or harvard, as well as mcgill, can I use the fact that my tuition at mcgill (even with no financial aid) would only be a few thousand dollars to insist that I be given more aid in order to attend, or is the whole idea just a laughable farce. </p>
<p>Also, my parents will be filing for an extension (as they do every year) and there’s nothing I can do about it…they probably won’t file until october or whatever they usually do at the last minute. Most schools say they won’t calculate anything until they get the tax forms. Does that basically mean that I’m totally screwed? It’s so frustrating to not be in charge of your own financial situation…</p>
<p>Well, by no means can you “insist”…but often if you’re given a great financial package at one school you can use it to try to negotiate at another school.</p>
<p>If your parents want you to qualify for financial aid, they need to get their taxes done as soon as possible. You need to work with them on this. They may have reasons for filing late that truly are beyond their control. Sometimes though, once parents realize what college would cost them out of pocket without financial aid, they do manage to get the paperwork done sooner.</p>
<p>Right now, you need to sit your parents down with their 2007 financials and estimates for 2008 and run the FAFSA and CSS Profile calculators that are online at the College Board website. They need to know the truth about the money situation. So do you.</p>
<p>If you are a legitimate candidate for McGill, Princeton, Harvard, etc. there will be lower-ranked colleges and universities out there that would pony up some merit aid for you. Take another look at your college list, and consider that option.</p>
<p>“Blackmail”? Not hardly. You can negotiate with them. You can point out that another school has given you more using the same or similar methodology. They may work with you to see why there is that discrepancy. I do know families who have been successful in getting some more money, but most of the time it is not a whole lot, and I know more people who have not been able to get the fin aid offices to budge.</p>