Negotiating T14 Scholaships and Grants? Forum
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nimhnimh
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:18 am
Negotiating T14 Scholaships and Grants?
I've been very fortunate this cycle. I was accepted to Columbia and Michigan. Choosing the Columbia would be the better choice in this economy but the high cost of living is another problem. However, I am in love with Michigan because I love what the school has to offer and I like its collegial environment. Over three years, with all expenses, Michigan will be about $18K cheaper than Columbia. As it stands, I will submit my FAFSA and Need Access forms by March 1st. Anyway, my real question is-- how do I get negotiate scholarship or grant money out of these two schools? I haven't been offered any merit based scholarships by either one. What would I have to say to Michigan to get them to offer me some money and pull me away from Columbia? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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groundkontrol
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:25 am
Re: Negotiating T14 Scholaships and Grants?
Would also like to know the answer to this ASAP! Please.
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soyable
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:44 pm
Re: Negotiating T14 Scholaships and Grants?
I visited Michigan last week and spoke with an admissions counselor about this very issue, so I hope it helps. Starting the first week of March, you can send information to the financial aid folks at Michigan with information about other schools and other scholarships. Have you received money from any other schools? Clearly, they really only care about peer schools, but for Michigan that can include some Midwestern rivals, such as Minnesota and ND. You can also write them a note stating that you were accepted to Columbia (and perhaps any other school in the T14). They request that this information all be sent in at once. They will not accept additional information after you have sent them something, so be aware of that. You basically have a three week window in which to send this in, as they want it by the end of March.
I'm not sure about Columbia, but I will tell you that for another T15 (big hint there) school what worked for me: Do some math. Tell them about your other offers and how much the cost difference is. Include transportation costs just to get to the school. If you look well organized and have a good argument, it may make a difference. That stated, this clearly wouldn't work at all at Michigan, so each school may be very different.
Hope that helps and good luck!
I'm not sure about Columbia, but I will tell you that for another T15 (big hint there) school what worked for me: Do some math. Tell them about your other offers and how much the cost difference is. Include transportation costs just to get to the school. If you look well organized and have a good argument, it may make a difference. That stated, this clearly wouldn't work at all at Michigan, so each school may be very different.
Hope that helps and good luck!
