I have been admitted to 2 schools in R1 with No $. I have also just been let go effective next week at my startup (mass layoffs) . I want to reach out to both schools (One ranked in M7 and one in T 10) and see if I am eligible for either need based or merit based aid (for reference - white male with 720).
Should I:
-Approach the question to the lower ranked school first then see if higher will match if I'm lucky or the other way around? My logic is lower ranked school is more likely to match and more likely to perhaps give $ so maybe I should ask them first?)
-Ask for merit or need based aid? Which has a higher likelihood of being granted / which will have a higher $$$ amount if accepted?
-Ask about need based / merit based in tandem to the financial aid office or just ask about one or the other?
Could REALLY use some help here on what you would decide to do.
Thanks!