How did you go about applying for independent merit scholarships? I'm bewildered

[Anonymous]

You have to apply to independent, private colleges that offer merit aid. Each college is different. For example, U of Miami makes decisions based o their regular application. Nothing is required in addition, whereas Duke has named program that require a separate. There is another thread that is about finding schools that offer merit aid. But it is probably too late for this year, unless you find a school that is still accepting applications for admission. There is a list of those schools too. Good luck. application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Organ/Tissue transplant organization has a $5000 scholarship.

Your child should start working now and through the summer. He could possibly earn $5000 and not need spending money from parents.

What do you have to give to get that scholarship??

[Anonymous]

I hate to be a pessimist but it is likely too late to apply to any larger scholarship programs. I have a friend who has devoted the past two years to finding programs for her daughter to apply to. She's been hearing their decisions for the past few months. I echo what someone else said about listening to the Getting In podcast from last week. It has very valuable information. I wonder if taking a gap year might not be a good idea if you can't swing the finances this year.

[Anonymous]

I think OP's DC went after ranked schools and didn't think about $ aspect.

[Anonymous]

DO the schools know about the costs associated with your other SN kids? If not, appeal the FA awards with supporting documentation for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope you have financial safeties on your DC's list.

+1

The real money/significant amounts are awarded by schools themselves. But as OP points out, for the most part the schools at the top of the USNWR rankings don't award scholarship money.

OP here - yes, that is exactly our situation. No merit scholarships where DC has been accepted, deferred or still waiting. That's why I'm staring at this huge blue book of independent scholarships and trying to figure out what ones might be worth the application madness.

The trick is not to apply to schools you can't afford. What you need is a time machine.

[Anonymous]

13:37

Student essay or video.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO the schools know about the costs associated with your other SN kids? If not, appeal the FA awards with supporting documentation for that.

This is a good idea. We were able to appeal financial aid at one school, but sadly not by enough. It definitely can't hurt to explain your circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the OP is from Virginia and that would make it affordable in my eyes. Your student might have a chance at some local scholarships. You guidance office will have a list. The problem with the local scholarships is that some are need based and they are typically a one time amount (not continued for 4 years). I would also suggest that you HURRY UP because deadlines are looming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope you have financial safeties on your DC's list.

Yes, DC got into UVA. They've offered a Stafford loan of $6000 per year but with another child in college, it's going to still be a struggle.

What has been saved so far? What is the gap?

[Anonymous]

DS got a merit scholarship from the SLAC he was accepted to ED. However, his packet came with a form to fill out for outside scholarships. Apparently, they reduce the amount of merit money so we don't see the point in wasting time applying. I would make sure this is not the case at your kid's school before you put forth the effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS got a merit scholarship from the SLAC he was accepted to ED. However, his packet came with a form to fill out for outside scholarships. Apparently, they reduce the amount of merit money so we don't see the point in wasting time applying. I would make sure this is not the case at your kid's school before you put forth the effort.

This happened to us at one school, which was aggravating. DD ultimately chose another that doesn't reduce merit or need-based aid for outside scholarships. In fact, one place she got a scholarship from had a form letter to the school saying that if they did reduce the aid, the scholarship would not be awarded...which makes a sad sort of sense.

[Anonymous]

Hate to tell you but it's hardly worth the aggravation. Those $500 scholarships - where the award amount hasn't gone up in 30 years - aren't going to make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Seeing dfferent forms of the word "aggravation" used repeatedly.

[Anonymous]

We tried, but many if not most of those scholarships were need-based. We got a few from local congresspeople, but that's it. Rotary Club and the like offer scholarships if you know someone in those organizations.

DD got merit aid at several schools, but not enough to make any of the private schools affordable. We negotiated, but got nothing, she she ended up at our in-state option.