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Negotiating college cost


Little Nyssa
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When I was college-age, my friend's mom was able to bargain "two for the price of one" for her two sons at Harvard.

Just recently, a friend was able to appeal her daughter's aid package twice until they brought it down to what her family could pay.

Has anyone here done this? Does it often work?

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If you have extenuating circumstances such as loss of income or medical expenses you can ask for a Professional Judgement.  This will allow them to look into the situation a little closer and possibly adjust the EFC.

 

A family can also always talk with the financial aid office and politely ask if there are any additional scholarships available.  Don't phrase it as negotiations, be exceedingly polite and explain that although your child would love to attend X college, you are just not seeing a way to do it.  Do they have any suggestions or any scholarships your child may apply for?  

 

Be polite (This can not be overstated-seriously, you would not believe the number of parents or students that come in yelling and curse you out and then want you to give them more money).  Remember that sometimes there is really nothing else they can do even as much as they want to.  This usually works better with smaller, private colleges than large state schools just because the smaller schools have more wiggle room and more random scholarships available.

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While I agree with not saying "negotiate," that's exactly the word one of the deans at a local private university used when advising us that any and all of our power will disappear once we accept an offer. She said to negotiate the best offer upfront, bc it will never get better, and that if we had a better offer from a rival to mention, all the better. 

 

So, we haven't attempted it, but apparently it is possible if they really want you. 

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The college my daughter ultimately attended was in the middle of the pack as regards financial aid offers; however, we sent an appeal for more aid and included financial aid offers from two of the schools offering far better aid. One of the schools was about as selective as her favored school while the other one was slightly less so.  They ultimately increased their aid by another $2500.  Bear in mind though, that this additional grant was good for only one year.

 

Regards,

Kareni

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While I agree with not saying "negotiate," that's exactly the word one of the deans at a local private university used when advising us that any and all of our power will disappear once we accept an offer. She said to negotiate the best offer upfront, bc it will never get better, and that if we had a better offer from a rival to mention, all the better. 

 

So, we haven't attempted it, but apparently it is possible if they really want you. 

 

 

The college my daughter ultimately attended was in the middle of the pack as regards financial aid offers; however, we sent an appeal for more aid and included financial aid offers from two of the schools offering far better aid. One of the schools was about as selective as her favored school while the other one was slightly less so.  They ultimately increased their aid by another $2500.  Bear in mind though, that this additional grant was good for only one year.

 

 

OTOH, one top 30 university DS was accepted to stated clearly in the acceptance letter that if an appeal was to be made about finances, offers from other schools would not be considered pertinent.

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OTOH, one top 30 university DS was accepted to stated clearly in the acceptance letter that if an appeal was to be made about finances, offers from other schools would not be considered pertinent.

 

Yeah, I'm guessing that the higher the school is ranked, the less they're interested in your other offers!

 

Good schools that are looking to improve their ranking might play ball. But if the school is top 30 to begin with, their stats are already really high, they don't  need to play the numbers game as much. 

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We tried this and the school ds ultimately chose did give him an extra $3000.00/year merit scholarship for 4 years.  I later found out from a neighbor that her son also did this and this same school matched his scholarship from another school.  It helped that neighbor's son had high stats all around and said school really wanted him.

 

We sent school #1 the aid package from school #2 and asked them if they can give ds more. DS also included a letter saying he really wanted to attend the school. When I called, they informed me immediately that they do not match aid packages but will always consider every appeal.  Both schools are similar in ranking and I think that helped.  If school #2 was just a low-ranking state school, school #1 would not have as much incentive to give more money.

 

We tried this with the thinking that the worse that could happen is they say "no."  We had nothing to lose by asking.  I reiterate a poster above that any communication needs to be done in a respectful and polite manner.

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It always helps to ask.  Anyone who wants you will be as flexible as their situation allows.  When I was hired e.g. at a university I was told up front that if I needed more money it was available.  I was so clueless I said no, the current offer seemed plenty.  Of course after I left grad school and arrived at the university needing housing, schooling etc etc, the offer was much too low, and I was never able to regain the ignored boost even over 40 years.  I know you are talking about tuition grants but really it is the same principle: if they want you they will offer something, and you should ask what is available.  Just be honest: to me it is not a negotiation in the sense of a game of trying to maximize your profit for bragging rights - it is just saying honestly that you like the school and need so much help to go there.  Just remember not to be too modest.  In fact you can ask for advice on how much is realistic to live there.  I always try dealing honestly and openly with people and they will then usually be as direct and helpful as they can.  If not, I would go elsewhere.  I never try to play hardball with people I want to be on good terms with.  And I concur with those who have observed that an offer may be good only for one year, while after committing there you are stuck for 4 years.  And always remember, everything is relative to how much they want you.  If you are really a prized catch they will definitely make it possible for you to go there.  Do you have any experience in sales?  The idea is first to sell the product, then negotiate the price.  I.e. once the customer wants the goods, he will pay whatever it costs, as long as he can afford it.

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