Merit aid is non-need based aid, where need is determined by FAFSA/CSS, etc. It also called tuition discounting. The most recent NACUBO report indicates that average discount levels are now above 50%, but bear in mind that that figure spans a very broad range of schools. https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2021/NACUBO-Tuition-Discounting-Study |
| Merit aid is based upon your kid's grades/scores/desirability ("merit" in the eyes of the admissions committee). It is not a function of how much your family's income would need to be augmented in order for your child to afford college. |
Weird post. |
| 23k at Miami and 10k at South Carolina |
I don't think any school except for some southern flagships can match the in-state cost of UMD. Merit isn't enough, even a $25K merit package means you're paying more than $50K for a mediocre SLAC or OOS public. Not worth it by a long shot compared with the in-state cost of UMD. |
Your kid must be exceptional 4.0/1600, sports, hooked in some way. Those are the largest merit aid awards I've seen from private colleges. |
Stats? FA? Merit? My kid got deferred from CW, and we're assuming it's because DC's stats are too high, and they figured DC will not come if accepted. Yield protection? It was a safety for DC, but if they gave enough $$ it's likely DC would go, so I don't get it. |
When did you get your merit award from Pitt? DD got accepted a while ago, but nothing about merit, so we're worried she's getting nothing from Pitt. Very disappointing. |
Post elsewhere, please. And get your reading glasses updated! This is a thread about MERIT aid. Bill Gates' kid is eligible for merit aid, as is Jeff Bezos' kid. Merit has nothing to do with your ability to pay. |
No merit from Pitt. Got in end of September. |
I'm a different poster, but here was our timing: DD applied to Pitt in mid-October, got an acceptance in mid-November, and got notice of a $10k annual merit award a month later in mid-December. |
Yes or No |
Your mistake was assuming CW was a safety. It’s not a safety for anyone. It’s a fringe top 50 school. You need to pick a lesser school as your safety. |
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Seriously, my kids offer letter states
- University Grant = $15,000 - Dean's Scholarship = $15,000 So if it says 'scholarship', is it merit aid? Is the grant part need based, and scholarship part merit aid? Scholarships can be needed? or does it specifically state 'You got Merit Scholarship' What's the basis of people's claim? |
Agree. The person wants to brag, obviously, yet expresses contempt for bragging. Bizarre. |