Asking a college for more financial aid.Answered
I got into Penn State, and would really like to attend, but the cost is way too much. I only received the Pell Grant which barely covers anything, and even though I received the Federal SEOG grant in other colleges, I didn't get it here. I would have to pay out-of-state tuition for all four years of my undergrad, and it's too expensive. Can I appeal for more aid? And if I can, how much more might I get?
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2 answers
If you didn't get enough financial aid, you can always ask for more. The worst that can happen is the college financial aid administrator says “ no. Asking for more financial aid can feel uncomfortable, but there are ways you can approach the process to make it as smooth as possible. First, keep your letter short and fact-filled, avoiding long, emotional appeals.
If it's a needs-based appeal, contact the financial aid office to ask for more aid. If it's a merit-based appeal, contact the enrollment or admissions office.
Financial aid administrators don’t want to hear sob stories or complaint, they want data they can plug into the formula that determines whether you get more money or not.
Make sure to include a breakdown of figures illustrating how much you’ll be falling short. Your job is to demonstrate your financial need as clearly as possible. However, don’t feel the need to request a specific number; instead, leave the calculating to the administrator.
the end, your chances of success depend on your school and your situation. Some colleges don’t negotiate at all. Others do, but not with everyone.
Even if you’ve done everything right, the decision to distribute more financial aid ultimately lies in the hands of the college.
I don’t really know how much you can get from the appeal
Asking for more financial aid can be a very uncomfortable thing to do, but what you need to know is that it is possible to ask for more, but don't ask for a specific amount when you are doing it. Just explain your situation and tell them that you cant afford it. I really, really recommend talking to your admission counselor before contacting the financial aid office.
I hope that answers it and good luck!
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