Need Based Aid/Letter of Intent Forum

[SpaceLitigator]

I have been accepted at a school that intend to enroll in. I also plan on applying for financial aid -- the school does indicate they provide need based aid even though it doesn't make most of the lists I've seen here.

My question is -- would my returning the letter of intent prior to submitting for need based grants negatively impact my likelihood of receiving one of these grants?

[SpaceLitigator]

Anyone?

[T6Hopeful]

I'm not sure of your question, but you were (assumedly) accepted under a non-binding decision program. So why not wait to enroll anyway (while filling out your aid request immediately)? This way if you applied to other schools you can wait for their offers and use them to negotiate.

[SpaceLitigator]

Schools will renegotiate based on other offers?

You are correct, I was accepted under non-binding terms, but I do intend to enroll in the school anyway.

[T6Hopeful]

Schools will renegotiate based on other offers?

You are correct, I was accepted under non-binding terms, but I do intend to enroll in the school anyway.

Well it depends on the school but many times they will renegotiate on other offers. Of course, the strongest leverage comes from peer or better schools (although what constitutes this is hard to say), although lesser schools can still sway things with big money.

They may not necessarily renegotiate a NEED-based offer, but what I was suggesting is that you should leverage for additional MERIT aid.
It may be a noble thing to do to enroll in your school and withdraw from your others, but similarly, the school may decide if you enroll now that they will not give you any merit money, as there's no reason to draw you away from any other schools. So, in your best financial interest, you may want to wait. There's no harm in waiting (within reason).