There is always the possibility for your appeal to receive a better merit-based award. Your request may be denied, but you will not lose your acceptance if you ask. Here are the first 4 steps.
While need based aid comes from financial aid office, awarding of merit-based scholarship money in most cases is the admissions office job. Check your university website to know who to contact for appeal.
Let your top-choice school know that other institutions are willing to give you more money. But the other offer must be from peer college. Click on link below to learn more about peer colleges.
It can be tempting to pick up the phone and call the admissions office, but it's a better idea to send an email first when trying to request a higher merit cash award.