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How to Ask a College for More Financial Aid How to Ask a College for More Financial Aid
(1 day later)
It is rarely easy to summon the will to ask for help, especially if you’re seeking more financial aid from what you believe to be your first-choice college.It is rarely easy to summon the will to ask for help, especially if you’re seeking more financial aid from what you believe to be your first-choice college.
But this spring, the traditional time of award letters and admission deposits, is unlike any other.But this spring, the traditional time of award letters and admission deposits, is unlike any other.
Normally there is an orderly process: Current and prospective students scrutinize their awards, and college administrators field their requests, knowing they have a certain amount of budgetary wiggle room.Normally there is an orderly process: Current and prospective students scrutinize their awards, and college administrators field their requests, knowing they have a certain amount of budgetary wiggle room.
The economic cataclysm caused by the coronavirus outbreak has changed all that: Large numbers of families have lost some or all of their income, or fear they soon will. And high school seniors are trying to pick a school even as there are few indications yet about whether they are signing up for what will be a virtual freshman year, at perhaps $80,000 or more.The economic cataclysm caused by the coronavirus outbreak has changed all that: Large numbers of families have lost some or all of their income, or fear they soon will. And high school seniors are trying to pick a school even as there are few indications yet about whether they are signing up for what will be a virtual freshman year, at perhaps $80,000 or more.
And the colleges? They’re dealing with unprecedented uncertainty, too. Many use algorithms created by consulting firms to calculate aid offers and predict how teenagers and their families will respond. But those finely tuned models don’t have any answers for a pressing question: Just how many more families than usual will change their minds this summer amid changing public health projections and switch schools — or keep students home for the year?And the colleges? They’re dealing with unprecedented uncertainty, too. Many use algorithms created by consulting firms to calculate aid offers and predict how teenagers and their families will respond. But those finely tuned models don’t have any answers for a pressing question: Just how many more families than usual will change their minds this summer amid changing public health projections and switch schools — or keep students home for the year?
Brian Zucker, who runs one of those firms, Human Capital Research Corporation, said it was futile to use last year’s behavior to predict what will happen now. “It’s a meaningless exercise at this point,” he said.Brian Zucker, who runs one of those firms, Human Capital Research Corporation, said it was futile to use last year’s behavior to predict what will happen now. “It’s a meaningless exercise at this point,” he said.
Amid this chaos, there are a handful of new services to figure out what to pay for college and how to ask to pay less, whether a student will be a senior or a freshman in the fall.Amid this chaos, there are a handful of new services to figure out what to pay for college and how to ask to pay less, whether a student will be a senior or a freshman in the fall.
And the founders of some of these services are just the sort of renegades who can sometimes provide clarity, or at least some pointed advice, in strange days like these. They urge you to take the time you need — many colleges have pushed the decision deadline for incoming freshmen from May 1 to June 1 and may offer extensions beyond that to those who ask — and not be bashful about asking for more help.And the founders of some of these services are just the sort of renegades who can sometimes provide clarity, or at least some pointed advice, in strange days like these. They urge you to take the time you need — many colleges have pushed the decision deadline for incoming freshmen from May 1 to June 1 and may offer extensions beyond that to those who ask — and not be bashful about asking for more help.
The most transgressive new offering is TuitionFit, which allows you to upload your own financial aid award letters to see whether people like you got a better deal from your school or similar schools that you might not have even applied to. It is attempting, through blunt force, to create long-needed transparency and comparability of actual net prices.The most transgressive new offering is TuitionFit, which allows you to upload your own financial aid award letters to see whether people like you got a better deal from your school or similar schools that you might not have even applied to. It is attempting, through blunt force, to create long-needed transparency and comparability of actual net prices.
Anayeli Martinez of Elgin, Ill., recently signed up for TuitionFit’s free service. At the moment, her son is planning on attending Iowa State University to study kinesiology at an all-in cost of around $16,000 per year — a price that already reflects a successful financial aid appeal that cited medical expenses and new educational costs for a younger sibling.Anayeli Martinez of Elgin, Ill., recently signed up for TuitionFit’s free service. At the moment, her son is planning on attending Iowa State University to study kinesiology at an all-in cost of around $16,000 per year — a price that already reflects a successful financial aid appeal that cited medical expenses and new educational costs for a younger sibling.
The family turned to TuitionFit for two reasons. First, the family is looking for uploads on the company’s website of new award letters from similar families that suggest that Iowa State is giving better deals to others. If they see that, Ms. Martinez will go to the school and ask it to match.The family turned to TuitionFit for two reasons. First, the family is looking for uploads on the company’s website of new award letters from similar families that suggest that Iowa State is giving better deals to others. If they see that, Ms. Martinez will go to the school and ask it to match.
Second, TuitionFit has a feature that allows schools to shop for willing students. Colleges that have space might want to make, say, a $14,000 offer to the Martinezes for a similar academic program. (TuitionFit blacks out personal information on award letters and doesn’t reveal families’ identities to inquiring schools until a family signals that it wants to respond to a particular, personalized offer from a school.)Second, TuitionFit has a feature that allows schools to shop for willing students. Colleges that have space might want to make, say, a $14,000 offer to the Martinezes for a similar academic program. (TuitionFit blacks out personal information on award letters and doesn’t reveal families’ identities to inquiring schools until a family signals that it wants to respond to a particular, personalized offer from a school.)
The possibility for eventual disruption here is enormous — even if the odds are long of gathering hundreds of thousands of award letters. So far, TuitionFit’s founder, Mark Salisbury, a former Augustana College administrator and the author of many cutting bits of commentary on higher education and its dysfunctions, has assembled over 6,000 award offers.The possibility for eventual disruption here is enormous — even if the odds are long of gathering hundreds of thousands of award letters. So far, TuitionFit’s founder, Mark Salisbury, a former Augustana College administrator and the author of many cutting bits of commentary on higher education and its dysfunctions, has assembled over 6,000 award offers.
But even if TuitionFit doesn’t completely upend the school-picking process, it is offering perfectly practical advice that Ms. Martinez’s family is following: Be flexible. There is no telling how much maneuvering any given school might want or need to do in the coming days. Families should ask for more help, and then ask again. They should also be open to considering whether the school they’ve picked is really so perfect, if another comes with a better offer.But even if TuitionFit doesn’t completely upend the school-picking process, it is offering perfectly practical advice that Ms. Martinez’s family is following: Be flexible. There is no telling how much maneuvering any given school might want or need to do in the coming days. Families should ask for more help, and then ask again. They should also be open to considering whether the school they’ve picked is really so perfect, if another comes with a better offer.
But let’s say you’re locked in. You’re already enrolled, or adamant about your chosen school. It is certainly still possible to appeal for more money.But let’s say you’re locked in. You’re already enrolled, or adamant about your chosen school. It is certainly still possible to appeal for more money.
Abigail Seldin, along with a company called FormSwift, has created a free offering called SwiftStudent that helps users draft a formal financial aid appeal letter and coaches them through writing one efficiently and effectively.Abigail Seldin, along with a company called FormSwift, has created a free offering called SwiftStudent that helps users draft a formal financial aid appeal letter and coaches them through writing one efficiently and effectively.
Several years ago, she created a tool that helped families more easily compare estimated prices using colleges’ individual net price calculators. Many selective institutions blocked her tool entirely, as if making this all easier was some kind of sin. The comparison tool is no longer available.Several years ago, she created a tool that helped families more easily compare estimated prices using colleges’ individual net price calculators. Many selective institutions blocked her tool entirely, as if making this all easier was some kind of sin. The comparison tool is no longer available.
Presumably financial aid directors, whom Ms. Seldin consulted before starting SwiftStudent, won’t disparage her efforts this time, given that the tool is designed to make their lives easier.Presumably financial aid directors, whom Ms. Seldin consulted before starting SwiftStudent, won’t disparage her efforts this time, given that the tool is designed to make their lives easier.
Your chosen school might have advice, too. During any appeal, Job 1 is heading to the school’s financial aid website and seeing if it has useful guidance, such as a particular form for reconsideration requests. The University of Denver, for instance, has an excellent page explaining what sort of changes in financial circumstance are grounds for appeal when asking for more need-based aid.Your chosen school might have advice, too. During any appeal, Job 1 is heading to the school’s financial aid website and seeing if it has useful guidance, such as a particular form for reconsideration requests. The University of Denver, for instance, has an excellent page explaining what sort of changes in financial circumstance are grounds for appeal when asking for more need-based aid.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Your school may also offer money in another form: merit-based financial aid. It’s generally based on academic performance, leadership or other skills. And Todd Rinehart, the University of Denver’s vice chancellor for enrollment, said in an interview that there was nothing greedy about asking for more of that, too, even if you aren’t in the middle of an unfolding crisis.Your school may also offer money in another form: merit-based financial aid. It’s generally based on academic performance, leadership or other skills. And Todd Rinehart, the University of Denver’s vice chancellor for enrollment, said in an interview that there was nothing greedy about asking for more of that, too, even if you aren’t in the middle of an unfolding crisis.
How can that be? Let’s say you want to lower your annual cost from $50,000 to $45,000 by asking for $5,000 more merit aid. If the school figures that its cost to educate each student is, say, $38,000, your $45,000 can still help the students who can afford to pay only $25,000. If that’s the case, the college may still want you to come and stay until graduation.How can that be? Let’s say you want to lower your annual cost from $50,000 to $45,000 by asking for $5,000 more merit aid. If the school figures that its cost to educate each student is, say, $38,000, your $45,000 can still help the students who can afford to pay only $25,000. If that’s the case, the college may still want you to come and stay until graduation.
Schools like Denver also understand that there may be similar colleges offering you more merit aid. If that’s the case, it certainly can’t hurt to send a polite, measured request pointing out your other, better offers. Also include any proof that your academic performance or standardized test scores have improved; a school may have a formula to help administrators determine merit awards, and you may have vaulted to the next level in the months since you applied for admission.Schools like Denver also understand that there may be similar colleges offering you more merit aid. If that’s the case, it certainly can’t hurt to send a polite, measured request pointing out your other, better offers. Also include any proof that your academic performance or standardized test scores have improved; a school may have a formula to help administrators determine merit awards, and you may have vaulted to the next level in the months since you applied for admission.
If this sounds like too much, more hands-on assistance is available.If this sounds like too much, more hands-on assistance is available.
A start-up called Edmit — founded by Nick Ducoff and Sabrina Manville, two former college administrators — has a free college-shopping and pricing tool. For a $99 annual fee (though some families pay nothing through partnerships with schools) plus $30 for every 30 minutes, you can get access to its network of advisers, who will hop on the phone and coach you through any appeals you want to make.A start-up called Edmit — founded by Nick Ducoff and Sabrina Manville, two former college administrators — has a free college-shopping and pricing tool. For a $99 annual fee (though some families pay nothing through partnerships with schools) plus $30 for every 30 minutes, you can get access to its network of advisers, who will hop on the phone and coach you through any appeals you want to make.
Ms. Manville offered a couple of words of advice in an interview this week, in the form of a do and a don’t.Ms. Manville offered a couple of words of advice in an interview this week, in the form of a do and a don’t.
First, don’t wait to ask for more money if you truly need it. There is no telling what may happen to aid budgets in the coming months, given a likely deluge of families seeking relief from financial pain.First, don’t wait to ask for more money if you truly need it. There is no telling what may happen to aid budgets in the coming months, given a likely deluge of families seeking relief from financial pain.
Once you do that, however, take a deep breath. “Wait as long as possible to put down a deposit,” Ms. Manville said, and don’t be afraid to ask for an extension, either. The longer you’re able to wait, the more likely it is that you’ll know how your top contenders will handle the fall semester.Once you do that, however, take a deep breath. “Wait as long as possible to put down a deposit,” Ms. Manville said, and don’t be afraid to ask for an extension, either. The longer you’re able to wait, the more likely it is that you’ll know how your top contenders will handle the fall semester.
And then there’s the possibility you end up the subject of a bidding war.And then there’s the possibility you end up the subject of a bidding war.
Some schools may get desperate if they’re falling short of their enrollment goals. That may make them more willing to offer new or additional discounts. In fact, Ms. Manville said, Edmit has already heard from users who are getting unsolicited boosts in merit aid offers from schools where they have not yet committed.Some schools may get desperate if they’re falling short of their enrollment goals. That may make them more willing to offer new or additional discounts. In fact, Ms. Manville said, Edmit has already heard from users who are getting unsolicited boosts in merit aid offers from schools where they have not yet committed.
May all of that and more come to you, too, in the coming weeks and months.May all of that and more come to you, too, in the coming weeks and months.