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When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:57 pm
by midwesterner
I think I have my top choice selected and they already offered a generous scholarship. However, I know they sometimes award more money to students with slightly better numbers (although many of these students do not attend).

I have an idea of how I am going to ask for the higher amount... but when is a good time to do this? Also who to address? The admissions committee? The Dean? ??

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:22 pm
by pmunk
I am interested in this as well. Care to share your plan?

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:26 pm
by Cal4future
+1

Also, what if you get admitted with no scholy but feel you should get one? Can you try to get one?

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:15 pm
by midwesterner
pmunk... my plan as it stands is to show the cost of attendace at said school vs the cost of attendance at my 2nd choice (a higher ranked public school). The difference in cost of attendance is the amount of the scholarship bump I am seeking. So essentially I am asking them to match the cost of attendance to a higher rated school. If they can do this I will send in the seat deposit ASAP.

Now I am just not sure who to petition and when I should do this.

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:15 pm
by midwesterner
bump

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:11 pm
by zonawildcat
I know some schools such as UCLA and UT have aid matching programs. But not sure how to go about this. I am guessing you just make a copy of your scholarship offers and send it in with a letter discussing your situation. I would call the finaid office and maybe ask for the name of someone who may deal with scholarships or the matching programs. I am still waiting on one school, and will send in all my other offers by Feb 1, if I do not receive anything from them.

I was also wondering about this topic. My top choice has not given me any scholarship, and I would commit almost immediately if I was given some assistance. I was wondering how far down in the rankings I would be able to go to assume a reasonable reaction? The only other school that I have received money from that is highly ranked is UIUC. Others were in the low 30's. I would figure that in some way, some of these may entice a decision, but at the same time may not be considered equal enough to get a reaction.

In a prior post someone commented that some people can receive very good offers by providing offers lower ranked schools, but not sure. I guess it can't hurt to ask though, especially when money really is the deciding factor for me.

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:45 pm
by J Mack
-Where do you find out if your school has aid matching programs (I am interested in Seattle, L&C, Oregon specifically)

-If you were initially offered decent $$$, is it possible to get offered more later? I would think because they offer a lot of people money, and some of those people may choose different schools, will/can the amount they offered me go up?

-Has anyone asked, or is anyone going to ask for more money?

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:06 am
by scoobyman
I am also trying to figure this out. I have definitely read posts on TLS that cite examples of people negotiating their scholarships upwards in the amount of money they receive, and also in the performance thresholds required to retain the scholarship. Others were of the opinion that a formal e-mail should be written to the Dean. I do think that it is important to mention other offers that you are entertaining, and providing a brief justification for why you think you are a candidate for a bump, or for receiving any scholarship at all.

I am not clear at all on the best time to do this. I would guess that you should time it after deadlines on a school-by-school basis. For instance, I got an offer from a school that asks for an initial indication of interest by Feb. 1st. I would assume that on Feb. 2nd, they're going to have some extra money that they take back from people that don't respond. And, probably after the first deposit date is a big opportunity.

It would be great if others who have been through this can share their experiences.

Re: When and how do I ask a school for more scholarship money?

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:26 am
by senegalese_filmmaker
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 15&t=55073

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=48971&p=1008429&hilit=negotiating+scholarship#p1008429

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=584&p=1756&hilit=negotiating+scholarship#p1756

(the 2nd + 3rd are the best, the top one is mine but someone posted these in response).