Unreasonable to Ask for Increase in Merit?

Paying for College
1

<p>Now rising sophomore is enrolled at 4 year private university in SoCal. He obtained a decent merit scholarship and has more than complied with the baseline gpa required to maintain the scholarship. In the meantime, we have a worsening financial situation with prospects looking even gloomier. Is it unreasonable to request a re-visit of the merit award? Taking on loans is not in the picture - we are figuratively allergic to debt.</p>

<p>I believe that their merit awards go up to 23 or 24K, and he’s at the 18K level. It’s a situation where every little bit helps.</p>

2

<p>You can try, but more likely they might increase financial aid if “need” has increased.</p>

<p>Scholarship money comes from a different pot, and it’s used to attract incoming freshmen.</p>

<p>Did you submit a FAFSA? Is this a FAFSA only school?</p>

<p>They may not be sympathetic if you won’t let your child take a student loan since that is likely expected of other students with need.</p>

3

<p>“Allergic to debt” isn’t going to cut it with a financial aid officer.</p>

<p>I would be playing the worsening financial situation card plus demonstrated academic promise and see what happens.</p>

<p>If you made it through year 1 without debt, taking a Stafford isn’t the end of the world, even if you are debt averse.</p>

4

<p>You can try, but these are businesses. They use the money to rope freshmen in, they have little incentive to up your aid once they have you.</p>