<p>I need your advice. I was admitted to a top 75 LAC with a 80% tuition merit scholarship and I was also admitted to Colgate and Brandeis. I would like to negotiate with the school to try to get a full tuition scholarship. Is there any way I can use my acceptances to these elite schools to my benefit? How can I make this school realize that I am worthy of a full tuition scholarship?</p>
<p>Why are you worthy of a full tuition scholarship? Why are you more worthy than the other students they’ve admitted?</p>
<p>You can of course try to use your admissions to Colgate and Brandeis, but unless you’re using thier financial aid awards and asking your top 75 LAC to match them, you will likely be unsuccessful. They don’t care that you were admitted somewhere, because if you need the money, you probably won’t attend.</p>
<p>Some schools will match others offers but they have to be greater than theirs… duh? </p>
<p>Be honest, be humble… “I’d really like to go here but I need more help to make it workout…” Schools have been known to find money for kid who actually need it. If you don’t really need it and just want to say full ride, just say it and pay it.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that some schools will compare finaid offers to other schools and others simply will not. And keep in mind that EVERYONE would love to have a full tuition scholarship and most students do not get 80% to a top LAC.</p>
<p>You should be psyched to have an 80% scholarship, maybe by not giving you 100% it allows a college to give someone else a little help.
You will have to just do what most kids have to do… get a job to earn the money, and take out a loan.</p>
<p>xavier, I understand your concern - but I don’t think you’re going to get too far pursuing this. Unless you can prove that your family’s financial circumstances have changed, I doubt if the college will increase your scholarship. You might be able to get a loan, though, to make up the difference. Money is very tight these days at every school. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses. I do not take the scholarship offer lightly. Due to family financial circumstances I can use all the money that I can get.</p>
<p>xavier, call the LAC fin aid office and ask if there is anything more they can do–AFTER you tell them that you are so so grateful for their offer and you do intend to come.</p>
<p>Then </p>
<p>1) PM tlaktan for ideas on how to raise those extra funds.
2) Research what it takes ot be an RA in a dorm–that usually pays $8K to $10K a year.
3) Ask the fin Aid office if they can help you find work at a high paying campus job.
4) Don’t worry, you can probably make the 80% offer work.</p>
<p>Congrats!</p>
<p>Good luck Xavier. If you don’t ask you won’t get anything. Set up an apt, if you are close enough or call and speak the dean of financial aid. Congratulations on acceptance to excellent schools.</p>
<p>Just a head up - Brandeis has a university policy that they do not negotiate financial aid in terms of matching other schools.</p>
<p>Xavier - An 80% tuition scholarship is pretty darned good. Congratulations! I agree that if you need more then you will have to ask. Prepare for the discussion by being clear (in your own mind) about WHY the original decision should be revised. And even if your reasons are compelling, please be prepared to graciously accept the college’s eventual decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>If colgate gives aid strictly based on financial need, they willnot negotiate with a merit package because theoretically almost everyone there is eligible for merit $.</p>
<p>That being said my love, you may have to put some skin in the game (maybe this is why you did not get a full ride because the school thinks you need to be an active participant in the financing of your education). This means if you don’t have a part time job, get one. Work full time over the summer (work 2 jobs over the summer if you have to to make up your part). When you get on campus make sure you have a work study job to take care of your day to day expenses.</p>
<p>You would still be eligible for a 3500 subsidized stafford loan in addition to a 4000 unsubsidized stafford loan (if your parents are not elgible for a plus loan) to help pay some of the debt.</p>