Did anyone get more than $30K in merit aid at private college?

[Anonymous]

TJ class of 2015 received approximately 36 million dollars in merit based scholarship for 430 graduating seniors.

That works out to about $83,000 in scholarship money per student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ class of 2015 received approximately 36 million dollars in merit based scholarship for 430 graduating seniors.

That works out to about $83,000 in scholarship money per student.

typical kids apply to 10-15 schools. assuming 10 acceptance, it's only 8300/school. not that impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ class of 2015 received approximately 36 million dollars in merit based scholarship for 430 graduating seniors.

That works out to about $83,000 in scholarship money per student.

typical kids apply to 10-15 schools. assuming 10 acceptance, it's only 8300/school. not that impressive.

Around May/June, each graduating senior has to complete a form regarding which college the student is attending and the amount of merit based scholarship received from the said college. So, no need to divide by ten.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, children are answering the questionnaire. $ received could be a result of "need" or merit or some of both. Simply stating "I received 20 K from school X doesn't tell the whole story. Also, to th PP who received 30K from Oberlin. How? Their website states that they offer merit scholarships for $1000-2000. The rest is need based. For all readers, do your own research!

[Anonymous]

My kid received $52,000 in scholarship (not financial aid) per year for 4 years to attend OOS public university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid received $52,000 in scholarship (not financial aid) per year for 4 years to attend OOS public university.

Can we guess?

I will guess Bama or USCarolina.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ class of 2015 received approximately 36 million dollars in merit based scholarship for 430 graduating seniors.

That works out to about $83,000 in scholarship money per student.

typical kids apply to 10-15 schools. assuming 10 acceptance, it's only 8300/school. not that impressive.

Around May/June, each graduating senior has to complete a form regarding which college the student is attending and the amount of merit based scholarship received from the said college. So, no need to divide by ten.

Four or five kids from this TJ class went to service academies which put the scholarship value of tuition, room, and board at 3 to 400,000 dollars, that's 1.2 to 2 million right there.

[Anonymous]

I know a voice student who got a full ride merit (there was no need) to a small midwest college. Never entered a competition BTW, just obviously well-trained and very talented.

[Anonymous]

About 10% of each freshman class at W&L gets a 4-year full-ride plus stipend, no requirement to demonstrate financial need whatsoever. They are Johnson Scholars. This has contributed to the increased selectivity for overall admissions there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a junior. We're starting the college search. We don't qualify for FA, but can't afford more than $25K per year.

He's applying in-state, but wants a few more options. (3.87 unweighted gpa, but poor PSAT math scores, probably English/theater major). He's considering East Coast schools that offer merit aid like Juniata, Ursinus, U Vermont, Allegheny, Lesley, Fairfield, Muhlenberg, Mary Washington, Saint Michael's, Clark, Washington College (MD), College of New Jersey, etc.

BUT, I'm wondering, has ANYONE with similar stats received more than $30K in merit aid at any of these or similar private colleges? Anyone received in-state price at public OOS schools?

I don't want to waste our time applying if there's no hope that merit aid awards will bring DS's cost down to around $25K.

Thanks!

Wrong approach. You need to apply and let it play out.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a junior. We're starting the college search. We don't qualify for FA, but can't afford more than $25K per year.

He's applying in-state, but wants a few more options. (3.87 unweighted gpa, but poor PSAT math scores, probably English/theater major). He's considering East Coast schools that offer merit aid like Juniata, Ursinus, U Vermont, Allegheny, Lesley, Fairfield, Muhlenberg, Mary Washington, Saint Michael's, Clark, Washington College (MD), College of New Jersey, etc.

BUT, I'm wondering, has ANYONE with similar stats received more than $30K in merit aid at any of these or similar private colleges? Anyone received in-state price at public OOS schools?

I don't want to waste our time applying if there's no hope that merit aid awards will bring DS's cost down to around $25K.

Thanks!

Wrong approach. You need to apply and let it play out.

+1000

Yes and no. It is true that you often don't know until that aid package comes in. HOWEVER, if only, say 10% of students at the school are receiving merit aid (look at Common Data set) and your kid is not at the top of the applicant pool, I think it is absolutely a poor choice to dangle a carrot in front of your kid, have them get into the "dream school" only to find out the financials are not going to work.

Yes, apply far and wide. But unless it's a school that offers automatic merit aid that you KNOW your child will get (ie need 3.5 GPA and 30 ACT and you automatically get $X/year- Alabama is one of these schools, I'm sure there are others) I think it's very important not to let a kid fall in love with a school, or apply under the assumption that "well, he'll probably get enough money."

[Anonymous]

Our kid asked that they NOT visit certain schools unless we knew we could afford them - which we said we'd know only AFTER acceptances were IN and merit aid was known. But it was their choice to "waste time" (?) on the applications. We felt alright since 5 of 10 applications were to schools we could afford and had visited. DD ended up attending and loving one of schools she applied to without seeing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ class of 2015 received approximately 36 million dollars in merit based scholarship for 430 graduating seniors.

That works out to about $83,000 in scholarship money per student.

Which works out to about 20K per year.

[Anonymous]

^ You usually have time to go see the school after the acceptance and money offer comes . . .

[Anonymous]

Berea and Cooper Union, respectively.