That’s what I meant—I just didn’t word it well!!
You can certainly ask. I would not count on getting the additional aid, but you are more likely to get it if you ask than if you don’t ask.
If you do get additional aid, then you need to make sure that you understand what is needed to maintain this additional aid for a full four years of university.
If you do not get additional aid, only you will know how tough this will be for your family. There is also the issue regarding what other more affordable options are available for your son.
I would not take $13,000 per year as debt. This will limit what your son can do after graduation, unless you as parents take all this debt entirely on yourself. As perhaps two examples, both daughters had very good opportunities available to them after graduating from university that they would not have been able to accept if they had graduated with $52,000 in debt.
I have heard that in most cases the student should be the one negotiating with the school, but that financial aid might be the one exception. The parents are in most cases assumed to be the ones who will pay. Regardless of who talks to the school, make sure to stay calm and professional, and remember that the person that you talk to might not be able to make a decision at the time.
Yes but it was implied and they validated with a thumbs up. It was implied because from the first message their original belief was it was all or nothing.
It’s almost, not knowing the school, but as an example, that they were shooting for the Johnson at W&L and attaining it was the only way they could attend.
A perfectly reasonable explanation to apply as a hail mary…and it sounds like, whatever the school is, that’s what OP did - threw out a hail mary.
A lot to consider here. Thanks to all for the advice. It has been very helpful.
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@inktopaper your student will land at a great college…and your family will make a decision that works for them. Please let us know!
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Just make sure that the $13k is just 13k. Have you taken into account travel costs which can be significant if the school is a plane ride away. (We budgeted for this with our kids but have had 2 unforeseen deaths this semester in our family that both our kids had to fly home for). If its within driving distance, will you have the expense of a car (insurance, car repairs, parking passes, etc). Books can add up although those costs have generally been less than we expected. Housing can go up or down depending on the area when the move off campus. Greek life and clubs can also have significant costs assoicated with them. Also, it can be hard to count on summer $$ every year when many kids do internships that don’t pay or they have to move somewhere for an internship and pay rent. And study abroad is another big expense if your child is interested at all (my kids weren’t interested until they realized almost all their friends were going abroad).
Not trying to be negative, just some other costs to think about.
You’re always welcome to try, but unfortunately he’s not in a position to negotiate. It may be a good time to consider another school on the list. 