Merit aid for private school

[Anonymous]

St. John’s offers merit based scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The catholic schools provide merit. Several scholarships each year. Maximum amount is usually $20k for the 4 years.

I didn't realize it could be that much. OP, this is based on High School Placement Test scores at Catholic schools.

It breaks down into $5k per year. And it's based on test scores and grades. My DC got this at 2 schools. And as far as I know all the Catholic high schools in the area do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The catholic schools provide merit. Several scholarships each year. Maximum amount is usually $20k for the 4 years.

I didn't realize it could be that much. OP, this is based on High School Placement Test scores at Catholic schools.

It breaks down into $5k per year. And it's based on test scores and grades. My DC got this at 2 schools. And as far as I know all the Catholic high schools in the area do this.

Mine did too, at two Catholic HS's, $5k per year each, based on test scores and grades. And then financial aid from one school but not the other. Please read through the many other posts on this topic and fill out the forms, have a confidential talk with the schools and sound them out, and don't give up without looking into this.

[Anonymous]

Some Catholic schools offer merit aid for academically bright or talented kids. We aren't in DC proper, got no financial aid but my kid got $12K a year in merit from combined scholarships at one school. Look into ALL the potential scholarships offered at area schools - some are competition based - essay or speech writing or for talent in the arts or music, as well as academics. Some schools stack scholarships without regard to financial need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small amount at a few of the Catholic schools. Mostly based on test scores.

It’s based on whether they want your kid or not - is she academically bright? Does she play the harp or speak a rare language? Play a sport well? Does she need the scholarship? They aren’t going to give it to a wealthy girl that doesn’t need it. And yes - test scores matter too I’m sure. My DD got one and she had high test scores but the school can give out the scholarships as they see fit.

It’s only $5000 though and you still might need to come up with $25,000 more if you don’t receive financial aid as well.

I disagree with this. DS was offered two merit scholarships at Catholic schools. It was grades and test based. One published criteria and the other does not. However they are not based on need. We didn’t apply for aid (lucky to not need it). We put back the scholarship + a few thousand into the annual fund each year. It was made clear that that wasn’t the expectation. We are happy to do it. That said, neither was a huge amount. One was $10k over four years and the other was $12k. I do know the girls schools have bigger merit scholarships.

Which schools and how much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small amount at a few of the Catholic schools. Mostly based on test scores.

It’s based on whether they want your kid or not - is she academically bright? Does she play the harp or speak a rare language? Play a sport well? Does she need the scholarship? They aren’t going to give it to a wealthy girl that doesn’t need it. And yes - test scores matter too I’m sure. My DD got one and she had high test scores but the school can give out the scholarships as they see fit.

It’s only $5000 though and you still might need to come up with $25,000 more if you don’t receive financial aid as well.

I disagree with this. DS was offered two merit scholarships at Catholic schools. It was grades and test based. One published criteria and the other does not. However they are not based on need. We didn’t apply for aid (lucky to not need it). We put back the scholarship + a few thousand into the annual fund each year. It was made clear that that wasn’t the expectation. We are happy to do it. That said, neither was a huge amount. One was $10k over four years and the other was $12k. I do know the girls schools have bigger merit scholarships.

Which schools and how much?

Look at the websites. They list them there. I know Oakcrest, Visitation, and Holy Child all have them. Some are 50% off tuition. I know O’Connell even does 50% tuition if you score in the 99th percentile on the HSPT.

[Anonymous]

What about Madeira?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stick with public school. Your kid is doing fine.

To the "stick with public school" person who is posting the same advice everywhere in the Private/Independent Schools forum: Stick with Public (school forum)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We won’t qualify for financial aid, but can’t afford private either. Our income is high but we support our families back home. DD does very well academically. Does any school in DC offer financial aid based only on merit? Thanks

Maybe it’s time to stop sending quite as much.

I take this to mean perhaps supporting family home in another country. OP, don’t assume you won’t get financial aid. They look at the whole picture

Yes, I mean send money to maintain our aging parents and a sibling with a medical condition back home. Thanks for the replies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small amount at a few of the Catholic schools. Mostly based on test scores.

It’s based on whether they want your kid or not - is she academically bright? Does she play the harp or speak a rare language? Play a sport well? Does she need the scholarship? They aren’t going to give it to a wealthy girl that doesn’t need it. And yes - test scores matter too I’m sure. My DD got one and she had high test scores but the school can give out the scholarships as they see fit.

It’s only $5000 though and you still might need to come up with $25,000 more if you don’t receive financial aid as well.

I disagree with this. DS was offered two merit scholarships at Catholic schools. It was grades and test based. One published criteria and the other does not. However they are not based on need. We didn’t apply for aid (lucky to not need it). We put back the scholarship + a few thousand into the annual fund each year. It was made clear that that wasn’t the expectation. We are happy to do it. That said, neither was a huge amount. One was $10k over four years and the other was $12k. I do know the girls schools have bigger merit scholarships.

Which schools and how much?

Look at the websites. They list them there. I know Oakcrest, Visitation, and Holy Child all have them. Some are 50% off tuition. I know O’Connell even does 50% tuition if you score in the 99th percentile on the HSPT.

It’s not 50% off tuition at either Stone Ridge or Visitation. It’s $5000. and it’s very difficult to get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small amount at a few of the Catholic schools. Mostly based on test scores.

It’s based on whether they want your kid or not - is she academically bright? Does she play the harp or speak a rare language? Play a sport well? Does she need the scholarship? They aren’t going to give it to a wealthy girl that doesn’t need it. And yes - test scores matter too I’m sure. My DD got one and she had high test scores but the school can give out the scholarships as they see fit.

It’s only $5000 though and you still might need to come up with $25,000 more if you don’t receive financial aid as well.

I disagree with this. DS was offered two merit scholarships at Catholic schools. It was grades and test based. One published criteria and the other does not. However they are not based on need. We didn’t apply for aid (lucky to not need it). We put back the scholarship + a few thousand into the annual fund each year. It was made clear that that wasn’t the expectation. We are happy to do it. That said, neither was a huge amount. One was $10k over four years and the other was $12k. I do know the girls schools have bigger merit scholarships.

Which schools and how much?

Look at the websites. They list them there. I know Oakcrest, Visitation, and Holy Child all have them. Some are 50% off tuition. I know O’Connell even does 50% tuition if you score in the 99th percentile on the HSPT.

It’s not 50% off tuition at either Stone Ridge or Visitation. It’s $5000. and it’s very difficult to get.

HoCho maxes out at 10k

https://www.holychild.org/merit-scholars/

[Anonymous]

Visitation’s largest scholarship is 5k/year

https://www.visi.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid-scholarships

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to move to private?

Several reasons, the main one is that she is not challenged in her classes. No good facilities, from lack of labs to athletics facilities. She is currently an 8th grader.

Sorry, your DD is the exact profile of kids ignored by US schools.

I'd recommend moving to Canada or Europe if you can, at least for a few years.