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More than a year ago, when I was researching colleges as a high school senior, I chose only to apply to private institutions. My mother assured me that, as long as I was happy with my school, she would find a way to cover the price tag.

I graduated high school in June 2008, just a few months before the economy started crashing and burning. Would I have received the same reassurance from her today, if I was applying to college again? I highly doubt it.

Undeniably, financial aid becomes an important, and often decisive, factor for many parents and for most students in choosing a college. After all, with the current state of the economy, the high unemployment rate, and the dwindling endowments, it’s hard to swallow $200,000 worth of debt for an undergraduate education.

So how exactly should you go about seeking and requesting more financial aid, given that crying, stealing, and begging are not options? Here are some tips I’ve picked up as a college student:

Work Early and Work Fast

- File your taxes as soon as the W4 arrives. This applies to your parents’ earnings and your own earnings.
- Once your taxes are complete, complete your FAFSA and CSS profiles. They’re long, tedious, and often redundant, but do not procrastinate on submitting them!
- FAFSA offers you federal aid, but your state may also support your educational endeavors. For example, in New York, the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) offers state financial aid on top of federal financial aid. If you’re given such an offer, do not wait on completing their applications and requests.

When the Government’s Pot of Gold is Empty

- If you don’t receive enough financial aid through FAFSA, try turning to your school for help. E-mails are not enough. Phone calls allow you to convey your emotion to an actual person. And if you live within driving distance to your school, ask for an in-person meeting.
- If you’re still choosing between schools but are conflicted because of different financial aid packages, tell your top choice school. It’s not a threat if you say, “I need more money from you or else I’m going to X University instead.”
- Tell your story. Financial aid officers need to work fast to process a ton of paperwork and thus often only see numbers. If there is a situation you are experiencing that numbers can’t explain, don’t keep it a secret.

Of course, there are other options such as applying to outside scholarships from private organizations, picking up a summer job or two, and asking relatives for contributions. In the end, if you still can’t afford your dream school, don’t fret. Keep in mind that though undergraduate studies are important, they most likely don’t mark the end of your educational pursuits. From there on, the price for even higher education (e.g.: master’s degree, doctoral degree) only increases while the financial assistance becomes practically nonexistent. So if you have to make the heartbreaking decision of rejecting your dream school because of financial concerns, consider it a thoughtful investment in your future.

Best of luck bargaining.