How to ask for more funding

[tem11]

Sorry if this topic has been covered before; I did a quick search and didn't see anything recent.

I've been accepted to all of the programs I've applied to so far, but none of them are giving me competitive funding packages. Judging by the results search, nearly everyone who applied to one of my top choices got anywhere from $3,000-$8,000 more in funding than me. I'm a bit baffled as to why I'm not as competitive for funding and I'm genuinely not sure what I can do to make my application any stronger (I have a high GPA, strong letters of recommendation, numerous internships in the social services, etc.). Since applying, I got a 4.0 last semester and my GPA has gone up a tiny bit. I've also since received magna cum laude status for graduation. I'd like to email a few of the programs and ask for more aid. The thing is, I don't really have any fantastic offers to use as leverage and I'm unsure how to word it.

Any tips on how to tactfully ask for more funding? I'm considering throwing in the towel and reapplying next year, since the funding offers seriously cannot get any worse than they are now.

Edited February 20, 2010 by TerriM

[jacib]

Sorry if this topic has been covered before; I did a quick search and didn't see anything recent.

I've been accepted to all of the programs I've applied to so far, but none of them are giving me competitive funding packages. Judging by the results search, nearly everyone who applied to one of my top choices got anywhere from $3,000-$8,000 more in funding than me. I'm a bit baffled as to why I'm not as competitive for funding and I'm genuinely not sure what I can do to make my application any stronger (I have a high GPA, strong letters of recommendation, numerous internships in the social services, etc.). Since applying, I got a 4.0 last semester and my GPA has gone up a tiny bit. I've also since received magna cum laude status for graduation. I'd like to email a few of the programs and ask for more aid. The thing is, I don't really have any fantastic offers to use as leverage and I'm unsure how to word it.

Any tips on how to tactfully ask for more funding? I'm considering throwing in the towel and reapplying next year, since the funding offers seriously cannot get any worse than they are now.

I'm no expert on this but I'd say you should email them, tell them they're your top choice, and say you'd really like to go there, BUT that other schools have made richer offers. Tell them that you've been in contact with other applicants at this school and learned that they received better offers. Tell them your improved stats. Of course, if they start shelling out money to you after that, you might be morally expected to go there... but if it's really your top choice, that shouldn't be a problem. Schools (especially relatively rich ones, like the top choices in your tag) can often find a little bit of extra money here or there. I wasn't planning on going to a school's visiting weekend (it'd be a 16 hour flight for two days and really expensive) and I told them, "Well, it's really expensive and I don't know if I can get the time off work." Their response was simply, "It'd be a shame if financial reasons were the only thing that kept you from coming. We'll work something out if you can make it work on your end" and ended up paying for the whole ticket, which was much more than I expected!

As a note, research has found that one of the aggravating factors of the male/female wage gap is, on the whole, women are more reluctant to ask for a raise. I'd say, there is no harm in bringing it up with the department. Rehearse the conversation first (or write it in a letter, probably better). That's my 1.47 euro cents, at least.

[tem11]

Thanks for your insight! I sent them an email and hopefully will hear from them in the next day or two.

[Spectrum]

I want to send a similar email as yours. I have been offered a one-third RA along with my admission letter and I want to bargain for a raise to a one-half assistantship. However, I'm not sure whether to ask directly from my future to be adviser or to firstly check with the graduate office.

Is it even likely that they change their issued offer to the advantage of an applicant?

btw, have you got any news back?

[tem11]

I was told that NYU has an appeal process for scholarships. My request will be evaluated tomorrow morning and I'll hear in the afternoon. Here's to hoping! I couldn't tell you how it works for programs where you'd have an advisor since I'm just applying for a masters at this point, but good luck! It certainly can't hurt to ask.

[tem11]

Quick update: I sent them an email and they ended up giving me another $1,000 in aid. Not fantastic, but better than nothing.

[Firled]

Quick update: I sent them an email and they ended up giving me another $1,000 in aid. Not fantastic, but better than nothing.

I have known many Ph.D. students to just write the Chair and refuse to accept the offer if the funding is not increased.

[zachidacki]

I have known many Ph.D. students to just write the Chair and refuse to accept the offer if the funding is not increased.

MSW programs are a bit different. Most people getting the MSW stay in the public sector and work, so they will eventually have an income to pay the loans back. Most schools know this and use it to their advantage. It is only a two year degree, so the debt can be low if you get a decent deal. For the MSW, the only real way, in my opinion, to get more money is to use another school as leverage. Hopefully you get great funding at one school and can use it to get the other school to keep you on board by offering more money. You could also ask about research assistantships as those can bring in at least some spending money while in school. Good luck!

Edited March 8, 2010 by zachidacki