How To Go Where the Help Is Greatest
In the final piece of our three-part series, we’ll examine how to get colleges to cough up the most money possible.
You Are In More Control than You Think
Do you know what the average acceptance rate is for most college applicants?
70%.
That means, unless you are well-below average… or you are applying to the most elite schools… you are going to have numerous offers.
And with numerous acceptance letters, you have plenty of choices.
That means you can choose the schools that treat you best.
Some schools will pick up 100% of need… while others will pick up 20-30%.
Some schools will give you grants that don’t need to be paid back… while others will give most of their aid as loans which can saddle you with debt for decades.
Find out the truth about each school.
And then, don’t be afraid to ask for a better offer.
Most of the time, schools will be unwilling to move from what they’ve already presented.
But, sometimes, you can work a better deal. If a school is running behind in their acceptances, perhaps – or if your application is especially appealing for some reason – then you may find yourself as the center of a bidding war.
It doesn’t happen to most students, but it does happen every year. It never hurts to ask.
And, should you not be in so fortunate a position – you still should know the rules of every financial aid package presented you. Then, make sure you choose the one most beneficial.
This will take a little homework – schools with less generous aid packages don’t like to advertise that fact – but, to a well-informed applicant, the differences should be obvious.
All else being equal, go where the help is greatest.
Combine that savviness with the steps outlined in Part I: Scholarships and Part II: Strategies, and you should be well on your way to making college a much more affordable proposition.