"I routinely advise my students, 'Ask politely for more,' " said Bruce Hammond, co-author of The Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College. "The recession may have made institutions a little more likely to deal."
Nationally, the average list price of tuition and fees is $26,273 at private colleges and $7,020 for in-state students at public universities, according to the College Board -- up 4.4 percent and 6.5 percent respectively from a year ago.
A sizable amount of financial assistance is available. Grants and tax benefits total an average of $14,400 per student at private universities and $5,400 at public schools. Once you add in room and board, it's easy to run up a tab of $100,000 or more over four years.
Coupled with a tough economy, it's no wonder more families are applying for financial aid than ever before. Applications for federal student aid rose 21 percent to 6.6 million in last year's first quarter, the peak period for applications. Applications from Illinois students are on a record pace this year.
Here are some tips that could sweeten a college aid offer:
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. Before you ask for more money, do your homework about how the aid process works and whether there's an appeals process in place. If you aren't working with a college consultant, read college planning books, go to sites such as Finaid .org or CollegeBoard.com, or simply Google "appeal financial aid" and you'll find plenty of information and advice.
