Seniors – Using the First-Choice Aid Strategy
by
Claudine Vainrub, Principal of EduPlan
/
Wednesday, 14 March 2018
/
Published in
College Admissions
At this point, you probably have several college offers now with more coming this month. You are excited about your options, but one school in particular stands out as your first choice. You wonder if you can afford the school. Now is the time to use the “First Choice” Strategy. This strategy may help increase the amount of money you receive from your first-choice school. This strategy works best if YOU, the student, contacts the school, rather than your parents or a counselor.
Goal: To get the best possible offer from your first-choice school.
Strategy:
- Choose another school with a better money offer. It can be more grants or scholarships, less parent loans, work-study, etc.
- Write a letter contacting your first-choice school and let them know, in a polite and respectful way, you have another offer. Send them an email and a paper letter by mail. For a letter sample, contact Claudine Vainrub, at EduPlan.
- Follow up with a phone call to the college admissions or financial aid office within a week of sending your letter. The college will be glad to hear from you. Let them know time is pressing and ask when you might hear from them.
This strategy, done politely and respectfully, lets the college know you are serious about attending, and gives them an opportunity to consider any additional resources.
Take Action
Create a folder on your computer called Decisions. Next, create a file in the folder that contains all your financial awards and costs. Compare total costs and check for your best awards.