Any tips on appealing financial aid?

Comments

• Ohnoeshalpme Alum Member ⭐

  April 2018 2531 karma

  It depends on your standing with similarly/higher ranked schools. If they're your top choice and you have no other schools waiting on you then it's unlikely that they'll be willing to send you any money. They hold all the cards - or they think they do! However, if you notify them of other offers that are superior to theirs financially or academically, they will have to step up their financial offer if they want to keep you.

  If that doesn't work then you can always look for aid from fafsa.
• LSAT_Wrecker Member ⭐

  April 2018 edited April 2018 4850 karma

  Take a look at Loyola's 509. According to the 2016-2017 data, 87% of their students received some level of financial aid. You might want to ask if they consider you part of the bottom 13% of their admitted students for this year (your self reported numbers would say you are not).

  https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/Std509Disclosure.pdf

  ETA: The question I posed above was slightly tongue-in-cheek. You are obviously not statistically (at least as measured by GPA/LSAT) in the bottom 13% of their class (or bottom 10% if you are a full time admit). I would carefully craft a statement referencing their 509 data specifically, your placement within their bell curve, and a polite request that they reconsider, given their demonstrated history of merit aid. There is no way you should be paying full freight given your numbers.
• EvetteCee Alum Member

  April 2018 224 karma

  @LSAT_Wrecker said:
  Take a look at Loyola's 509. According to the 2016-2017 data, 87% of their students received some level of financial aid. You might want to ask if they consider you part of the bottom 13% of their admitted students for this year (your self reported numbers would say you are not).

  https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/Std509Disclosure.pdf

  ETA: The question I posed above was slightly tongue-in-cheek. You are obviously not statistically (at least as measured by GPA/LSAT) in the bottom 13% of their class (or bottom 10% if you are a full time admit). I would carefully craft a statement referencing their 509 data specifically, your placement within their bell curve, and a polite request that they reconsider, given their demonstrated history of merit aid. There is no way you should be paying full freight given your numbers.

  Thanks for this, I appreciate it! But I was actually talking about Loyola Law School in LA (:
• EvetteCee Alum Member

  April 2018 224 karma

  @Ohnoeshalpme said:
  It depends on your standing with similarly/higher ranked schools. If they're your top choice and you have no other schools waiting on you then it's unlikely that they'll be willing to send you any money. They hold all the cards - or they think they do! However, if you notify them of other offers that are superior to theirs financially or academically, they will have to step up their financial offer if they want to keep you.

  If that doesn't work then you can always look for aid from fafsa.

  UC Hasting's which is ranked higher gave me 30K, and I'm still waiting for 2 other schools. But, I'll for sure mention Hasting's aid in the letter. Thanks!
• LSAT_Wrecker Member ⭐

  April 2018 4850 karma

  Opps, sorry. Loyola LA give aid to 67%, so there is still a case to be made.

  Either way, good luck. You definitely won’t be hurt by asking.