Email to the department issuing the merit package, it is usually funded by the certain program, in other words, you need to know which “bucket” merit $$$ are coming from. Usually, it is not the financial aid people you need to contact, but they can direct you to the right person/place. Some merit packages are set as a Scholar or Special Merit program that could not be negotiated, but Merit team can often advise on financial aid process so your kid would have additional funds added to their Merit Aid, if qualified for both. Sometimes there is an appeal process you follow, search on school the website, it depends on the school.
Some of the schools our D23 applied to were conservatories and this is an actual email we used to negotiate financial aid:
////////////////////////////
Dear Y,
I think we met during Student’s audition day at KLMNOP - thank you for making families of auditioning students feel so welcomed and comfortable! KLMNOP space is stunning, and we were lucky to attend a concert the night before the audition.
Our Student is accepted into Professor X Studio and is very excited about opportunities KLMNOP offers to students interested in double major education. KLMNOP School of Music is one of Student’s top choices at the moment, so we would be interested to learn if her merit scholarship package (currently $00,000) could be expanded. Is there a certain formal review or appeal process we need to follow? What information is required? Who should we have this conversation with?
Professor X recommended reaching out to you first, providing the list of schools Student was accepted to and information about some of the merit scholarships offered to her.
She was awarded:
ABC Scholarship at ABC School of Music at ABC University - full tuition, value of $000,000. “As a ABC Scholar, you will receive a full-tuition (up to 18 hours per semester) scholarship for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study, plus a stipend of up to $0,000 to be used for an approved immersive experience, summer study abroad, research investigation, or other approved experience following your sophomore or junior year.”
XYZXYZ Music Scholarship at XYZ University - “XYZXYZ Scholarship provides full tuition, fees, room, meals up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study at XYZ University - an estimated value of more than $000,000. As a member of the XYZ Scholars Program, you will also benefit from specialized scholar advising, priority registration, and activities designed to connect you to other scholars and the wider XYZ community. XYZ scholars are also eligible for additional funding to support summer experiences such as study abroad, research, and internships at home and abroad.”
List of Schools Student was accepted to:
We would appreciate your guidance and advice! Please let us know if you need additional information or want to connect via phone.
Thank you for your help!
Student’s Parents
//////////////////////////