Successfully negotiating FAFSA aid offers at Michigan State vs. Indiana University as out-of-state student?

Yes! I successfully appealed my aid package at Michigan State last year. You absolutely CAN negotiate, but you need to follow their official "Professional Judgment Review" process. Don't just email asking for more money - that rarely works. Here's what worked for me: 1. I gathered competing offers from similar schools (I had one from Purdue) 2. I documented a change in financial circumstances (my dad's hours got cut) 3. I wrote a formal letter explaining WHY I needed additional aid and how much would make MSU feasible 4. I submitted everything through their official appeals portal MSU increased my grant aid by $5,200 for the year. The key is providing documentation and being specific about what you need.

OMG I TRIED THIS TOO!!! But Indiana university basically told me to go pound sand lol. They said they "carefully crafted their initial offer" and wouldn't budge. Maybe it depends on your major? I'm psychology, wbu?

I submitted through the portal first, but then I followed up with a call to their financial aid office about a week later. They were actually really responsive once I got someone on the phone. One thing that made a huge difference - I had very specific reasons why MSU was my first choice (their supply chain program is top-ranked), but explained that financially I might have to choose Purdue without additional aid. They seemed to respond well to that approach versus just asking for more money. For Indiana, I've heard their appeals process is tougher, but not impossible. The key is documenting any changes in financial circumstances since your FAFSA was submitted or providing competing offers.

I went through this whole financial aid nightmare last year with both MSU and Purdue. Getting through to someone at the financial aid office took FOREVER - I spent like 3 days trying to reach someone at MSU and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold. Finally I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the financial aid office in about 20 minutes. You might want to check it out (claimyr.com). They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Once I actually got to talk to a real financial aid counselor, they were super helpful and increased my aid by about $3,800. But honestly just REACHING someone was half the battle.

As someone who works in higher ed (not at either of these schools), I can tell you that appealing financial aid offers is completely normal and expected. The financial aid offices actually set aside funds specifically for appeals. However, there are some important things to know: 1. Your SAI (Student Aid Index) doesn't guarantee a specific amount of aid - it's just one factor schools use 2. Out-of-state students typically have a much harder time getting additional need-based aid 3. Merit scholarships are more negotiable than need-based grants 4. Both MSU and IU require formal appeals - they call them "Special Circumstances Reviews" For MSU specifically, they have a form called the "Special Circumstance Review Form" you need to complete. For IU, it's the "Request for Review of Special Circumstances." Both schools will want documentation of any financial changes or competing offers. The fact that you're out-of-state from Illinois will make this harder, but not impossible.

my cousin got more $ from michigan state last yr but she had to show them the better offer from ohio state first. think they matched it cuz they really wanted her for swim team tho lol

Having been through this process with my son last year, I can tell you that negotiating financial aid is ABSOLUTELY possible, but the system is intentionally complicated to discourage people from trying. Michigan State was actually very receptive to our appeal, but I think it was because: 1. We had a competing offer from Wisconsin that was $7,200 better per year 2. My husband had lost his job AFTER we filed the FAFSA 3. We were very specific about exactly how much additional aid would make MSU affordable The most frustrating part was trying to get anyone on the phone. We spent hours on hold, got disconnected, left messages that were never returned. The financial aid system seems DESIGNED to be inaccessible. Eventually, we got through and increased his package by $5,500 per year, making it close enough to the Wisconsin offer that he could attend his preferred school. Don't give up - but document EVERYTHING and be prepared for a frustrating process.

In your case, having the in-state Illinois offers might still help, but they won't be as persuasive since the baseline costs are so different. At this point in the cycle, I wouldn't apply to more schools just for negotiating leverage - that ship has sailed for this year. Instead, focus on any changes in financial circumstances since you submitted your FAFSA. Has a parent lost income? Medical expenses? Another sibling starting college? These are the types of things that can trigger a successful reconsideration. Also, your 3.8 GPA and 30 ACT are strong - definitely mention those in your appeal. For out-of-state students, merit aid is often more flexible than need-based aid.

I went through this EXACT situation with Indiana University last year! I'm from Missouri, so also out-of-state. Initially their offer was pathetic considering my SAI. I called and got nowhere. Emailed and got generic responses. Then I sent a formal appeal letter with: - My competing offer from Illinois (which was better) - A detailed explanation of why IU's program was perfect for me - A specific amount of additional aid that would make IU possible They increased my aid by $4,200 per year! Not everything I asked for but enough to make it work. DON'T just accept the first offer. Almost everyone I know who appealed got some increase.

I did both actually! I submitted through their online portal AND sent a physical letter to the financial aid office. The physical letter included copies of my competing offer and a personal statement about why IU was my dream school. One weird thing that seemed to help - I mentioned specific faculty I wanted to work with in their business program. The financial aid counselor who called me back actually mentioned that showed I'd done my research and was serious about their program specifically. Also, once you submit your appeal, CALL THEM after a week. Be polite but persistent. The squeaky wheel gets the grease in these situations.

Hey Chloe! I'm actually going through something similar right now with MSU (also from Illinois). One thing that really helped me was calling during off-peak hours - I had the best luck reaching someone around 2-3 PM on Tuesdays/Wednesdays when they weren't as swamped. Also, make sure you frame your appeal around "demonstrated interest" in their specific programs. I mentioned MSU's honors college and how their business program aligned with my career goals. The financial aid counselor told me they get so many generic appeals, but when students show they've really researched what makes MSU special, it carries more weight. For what it's worth, I'm still waiting to hear back on my appeal (submitted 2 weeks ago), but the conversation went really well. They seemed genuinely interested in helping once I got through to the right person. Don't give up - your stats are solid and should definitely help your case!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation last year with both schools! I'm from Wisconsin (so also out-of-state) and initially got pretty disappointing packages from both MSU and IU. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet comparing the total 4-year costs and showing exactly how much additional aid I needed to make each school feasible. I included this in my appeals to both schools along with documentation of my family's financial situation. MSU came through with an additional $3,200/year after I submitted their Professional Judgment Review form. IU was tougher - took two rounds of appeals and multiple phone calls, but they eventually increased mine by $2,800/year. The key things that seemed to work: - Be very specific about dollar amounts you need - Show you understand the total cost of attendance (not just tuition) - Demonstrate genuine interest in their specific programs - Follow up persistently but politely Your 30 ACT and 3.8 GPA are definitely strong enough to warrant additional consideration. Don't let them lowball you - these schools have money set aside specifically for appeals, especially for strong out-of-state students who can boost their academic profiles. Good luck with your appeals! The process is stressful but absolutely worth trying.

I'm in a similar boat as a newcomer to the financial aid appeal process! Reading through all these experiences is both encouraging and overwhelming. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Use the formal appeal processes (Professional Judgment Review for MSU, Special Circumstances Review for IU), 2) Be specific about dollar amounts needed, 3) Show genuine interest in their specific programs, and 4) Be persistent but polite with follow-ups. One question I have - for those who successfully appealed, how long did the whole process take from submission to getting a final answer? I'm getting anxious about the May 1 deadline and wondering if I should start both appeals ASAP or if there's a strategic order to approach them in. Also, did anyone find it helpful to mention they were considering both schools in their appeals, or is it better to make each school feel like they're your top choice? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that's impossible to find anywhere else!

As someone who just went through this process with both MSU and IU last year, I can share what worked for me! I'm also from out-of-state (Ohio) and initially got pretty weak packages from both schools. Here's my timeline breakdown: - MSU: Submitted appeal March 15th, heard back March 28th (increased by $4,100/year) - IU: Submitted appeal March 18th, had to follow up twice, final answer April 12th (increased by $2,600/year) For your questions about mentioning both schools - I actually did this strategically. In my MSU appeal, I mentioned that IU was also being considered but emphasized MSU's superior analytics program and faculty. For IU, I mentioned MSU but highlighted IU's business connections and internship opportunities. The key is making each school feel special while showing you have options. Things to AVOID in appeals: - Don't sound desperate or entitled - Don't just complain about costs without offering solutions - Don't submit identical appeals to multiple schools - Don't threaten to go elsewhere without backing it up Start both appeals ASAP! The closer you get to May 1st, the less leverage you have. Good luck - your stats definitely warrant additional consideration at both schools!