Can You Ask for More Merit Aid?
Understand whether you can ask for more merit aid, how some schools handle merit reconsideration, and why the process is highly school-specific.
What to Know About Merit-Aid Requests
While need-based aid is tied to a family’s financial circumstances, merit aid is awarded based on a student’s academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. Some schools reconsider merit awards, but many have strict policies that limit or prohibit these requests.
The Role of Competing Offers
In some cases, a stronger competing offer from a similarly ranked institution may matter. However, this is not a universal rule. Before making a merit-aid request, verify whether the school considers competing offers and what information it requires.
A School-Specific Process
Do not assume merit is universally negotiable. The process is entirely school-specific. Before you ask for a larger merit scholarship, it is crucial to determine whether the institution even entertains such requests.
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