Negotiating the Next Great Deal

Maybe we’ve become a nation very much at home negotiating and haggling for our big purchases, including cars and our flea market finds. Now, according to a recent New York Times article, “More Please,” by Eric Dash, more and more folks are of the idea that colleges are up for haggling as well. Business savvy negotiations are cleverly being pushed upon admissions counselors so applicants can position themselves to earn better scholarship and grants packages.

Negotiation Not Publicly Encouraged

While the process has been welcomed at a few universities, it remains distasteful and discouraged at most others, “at least publicly.” In fact, even consider bargaining for your college funding and you may just shut yourself out altogether. But while colleges and universities want to be perceived as subscribing to the ideal, there must be “someone out there…negotiating:”

“Most financial aid officials will reconsider your package, in what’s called a professional judgment review, if you have new financial information or expect unusual circumstances…”

Don’t be misled by this information. Even if you hear that others are able to muscle their way to a bigger purse of college aid. Still “only 2 percent” of colleges or universities actually budged when pitted against a competitor’s package.

Hearing May be the Only Way to a Negotiation

If you really think you want to give the process a try, experts suggest you try the hearing approach. Pursue the angle that you would prefer this institution to the other, but because of financial circumstances you will be forced to consider the other offer. “Then ask if the college would reconsider its offer.” Do not play The Godfather role. There is no documentation of a college that is receptive to those “who try and bully their way to more financial aid.” Right now any negotiation is played successfully only with finesse and very carefully worded appeals.

Go for Scholarships and Other Perks

In fact, according to some financial aid officers, schools are quite willing to rework the numbers for their merit scholarships, which are offered by almost every college and university. This may be your only “in” as far as negotiations. University of Virginia admissions officers regret the loss of “students last year to competing colleges that assured perks…” With that in mind you might begin to see some changes slowly, but surely creep into the college and university admissions process, making the process even more challenging and misunderstood.

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