How to Negotiate Financial Aid

This month, high school seniors and their parents around the country are hearing back from colleges about whether or not they were accepted.  

And financial aid considerations are an important part of this decision, especially in these turbulent times.

We helped a high school senior and his family negotiate $27,000 per year more in financial aid from Dartmouth. This is a savings of $108,000 over the next four years!   

Parents who lost their job recently or who have financial hardships (such as caregiving for a family member) can talk to the college financial aid office and ask for a better financial aid package.   

Even if your family has not been through financial hardship, you may still be able to “negotiate” financial aid.

Here are 4 simple tips to negotiate a better financial aid package:  

1. Don't Storm the Financial Aid Office

2. For More Need-Based Aid, Be Specific about Your Need–and Have Back Up Supporting Documents Handy

3. For Larger Merit Awards, Use Your Leverage

4. Don't Ask for the Moon 

If you want us to help you draft a letter to the financial aid office, please sign up for a free consultation.