How to tell schools that I need a scholarship?
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:15 pm
Here's my situation. I'm 30, married, with a kid. I have a good job, but I'm changing careers and going to law school in the fall.
I'm unwilling to attend a school without a significant scholarship offer. I worry too much about taking out massive debt while having a family to support. If I was single with no kids, I would be more open to debt after school. But there's too much risk in having huge loan payments and no guarantee of a well-paying job. So it's not that I "need" a scholarship more than just me being leary of huge debt because of my family.
So far I've gotten word from one school (in-state) that leaves me with only $4K a year in tuition. That school is not on the top of my list, but it's an option. With that offer, that easily knocks out any school that I would have to pay sticker.
I got acceptance from another school, and they said if there is anything else I'd like to submit for scholarship consideration to email it to them. They send offers seperately from acceptance, so they haven't made a decision one way or another yet on the money.
Here's my question: Is there any way to tackfully say that I won't attend a school without a good scholarship? I know it's a fine line, and the best option may be to say nothing. I've read a lot of good tips here about negotiating offers after the fact, but I wonder if there is any way to explain my position on the front end.
Other info: I'm above LSAT median and around GPA median (some below, some above) for all the schools I applied to and my softs are good (engineering degree, MBA, work experience, owned a business, etc.).
I'm unwilling to attend a school without a significant scholarship offer. I worry too much about taking out massive debt while having a family to support. If I was single with no kids, I would be more open to debt after school. But there's too much risk in having huge loan payments and no guarantee of a well-paying job. So it's not that I "need" a scholarship more than just me being leary of huge debt because of my family.
So far I've gotten word from one school (in-state) that leaves me with only $4K a year in tuition. That school is not on the top of my list, but it's an option. With that offer, that easily knocks out any school that I would have to pay sticker.
I got acceptance from another school, and they said if there is anything else I'd like to submit for scholarship consideration to email it to them. They send offers seperately from acceptance, so they haven't made a decision one way or another yet on the money.
Here's my question: Is there any way to tackfully say that I won't attend a school without a good scholarship? I know it's a fine line, and the best option may be to say nothing. I've read a lot of good tips here about negotiating offers after the fact, but I wonder if there is any way to explain my position on the front end.
Other info: I'm above LSAT median and around GPA median (some below, some above) for all the schools I applied to and my softs are good (engineering degree, MBA, work experience, owned a business, etc.).