National Merit Scholarship Program

[Allison]

That's true but with the exception of 1 school all the ones my daughter applied to are private. The point being made is many schools consider a student's financial situation while determining the amount of a merit scholarship award.

Then it isn't a merit scholarship. That sounds like a competitive need-based scholarship.

 

[IDoDis]

What state are you in? I know a lot of southern schools offer rides like that. Dd got an offer to apply to university of texas at dallas for some program that would basically pay her to attend. Several other schools in the south sent her similar offers. Northern schools don't seem to be as generous.

New Mexico where tuition is relatively inexpensive. I was off in the extra amount, but after tuition and fees are paid, recipients have approx 11k. I know of students who were able to get in-state tuition based on being a military dependent and some students are able to get reduced tuition depending on what state they are from (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, ND, NV, SD, OR, UT, WA, WY) which then adds a lot more to the take home pot.

Look at the National Scholars and the Amigo Scholarship which is what NMF recipients receive.
http://scholarship.unm.edu/scholarships/non-resident.html

 

[eeyoreandtink]

That's true but with the exception of 1 school all the ones my daughter applied to are private. The point being made is many schools consider a student's financial situation while determining the amount of a merit scholarship award.

No, they don't. It's a MERIT award, not financial aid. Most schools DONT consider need for merit awards. There is a minimum academic standard and nothing more. It's not a merit scholarship if need is considered. It's merit based financial aid.m Many private schools take federal funds.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Gee, MIT took my daughter's merit scholarship money out of our part of the deal - and they have a 7.9% acceptance rate for 2016. They are so endowed (like Dolly Parton endowed ) that they don't even do loans as part of the financial package. Between the merit scholarships and the MIT grant it cost less for her to go there than a state university.

See this word in my post you quoted?

Some .

Furthermore, regarding MIT. MIT can and does meet the financial need of every single student that attends. And they know from the forms people fill out with their income, their assets, their liabilities exactly what that need is and hence what they can pay. And they will meet that need for every single student. So if your daughter didn't have the merit scholarships, they would have met her need from other funds anyway.

 

[georgina]

Corporations also give scholarships to National Merit high scorers, usually to children of employees but also to some in the communities where they have operations. All 3 of my kids got a corporate 'special' scholarship from DH's company, and 2 of them were only on the commended level; one was a finalist. It wasn't a huge amount, but it helped.

 

[DisneyOma]

Furthermore, regarding MIT. MIT can and does meet the financial need of every single student that attends. And they know from the forms people fill out with their income, their assets, their liabilities exactly what that need is and hence what they can pay. And they will meet that need for every single student. So if your daughter didn't have the merit scholarships, they would have met her need from other funds anyway.

They quoted our EFC before her merit scholarship came through. That merit money came out of what they asked us to pay. We got a $6K bill, paid it, the scholarship came through, they refunded us the scholarship amount. It didn't change the grant amount. We paid a few thousand dollars less each year than the EFC quoted because of the scholarship (it was a four year deal).

 

[AustinTink]

None of the Ivy League schools offer merit scholarships. All financial aid is need-based. This is true for several other elite private schools as well. It's possible the students you know received merit-based scholarship money from outside sources, but not from Yale.

Not certain about all three, but I am certain one received the amount I mentioned. Had a long discussion with the mom about it. It would have been merit based, as they would not meet qualifications for need.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

They quoted our EFC before her merit scholarship came through. That merit money came out of what they asked us to pay. We got a $6K bill, paid it, the scholarship came through, they refunded us the scholarship amount. It didn't change the grant amount. We paid a few thousand dollars less each year than the EFC quoted because of the scholarship (it was a four year deal).

You're continually evolving your story in order to argue. Good day.

And once again my original post said some. One counter example achieved by evolving one's story doesn't negate it. good day.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Not certain about all three, but I am certain one received the amount I mentioned. Had a long discussion with the mom about it. It would have been merit based, as they would not meet qualifications for need.

The previous poster is correct that Yale doesn't offer merit based aid. The student likely received the merit aid from an outside source. This is directly from Yale's website:

Merit-based scholarships
While Yale does not award merit-based scholarships, Yale students often qualify for merit awards from other organizations. Criteria for receiving merit scholarships are directly linked to a student’s performance in academics, sports, music, or another field of special interest. Potential sources for merit-based awards include:

private companies
employers
nonprofit organizations
You can find resources to help you search for merit-based scholarships under Sources for Outside Aid.

http://finaid.yale.edu/costs-affordability/types-aid/scholarships-and-grants

 

[AustinTink]

The previous poster is correct that Yale doesn't offer merit based aid. The student likely received the merit aid from an outside source. This is directly from Yale's website:

Merit-based scholarships
While Yale does not award merit-based scholarships, Yale students often qualify for merit awards from other organizations. Criteria for receiving merit scholarships are directly linked to a student’s performance in academics, sports, music, or another field of special interest. Potential sources for merit-based awards include:

private companies
employers
nonprofit organizations
You can find resources to help you search for merit-based scholarships under Sources for Outside Aid.

http://finaid.yale.edu/costs-affordability/types-aid/scholarships-and-grants

That's fine. I honestly don't care either way.

 

[Poohforyou]

The National Merit Scholarship ($2,500, I believe?) is not coming from a school. Perhaps that is where the confusion is coming from?

http://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424

I'm talking about merit scholarships from a college/university, not a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. The ones from NMSC come from businesses in each state. I get that a company in Mississippi, for example, wants a scholarship they fund to go to a hometown kid. However, it still stinks that because of that a kid with a much lower score than my daughter will also be able to take advantage of the perks colleges offer national merit semifinalists.

 

[Poohforyou]

Then it isn't a merit scholarship. That sounds like a competitive need-based scholarship.

Yes, it's a merit scholarship.

 

[Poohforyou]

No, they don't. It's a MERIT award, not financial aid. Most schools DONT consider need for merit awards. There is a minimum academic standard and nothing more. It's not a merit scholarship if need is considered. It's merit based financial aid.m Many private schools take federal funds.

Look, I know what I'm talking about with regard to the schools my daughter applied to.

 

[Poohforyou]

Not certain about all three, but I am certain one received the amount I mentioned. Had a long discussion with the mom about it. It would have been merit based, as they would not meet qualifications for need.

The ivies don't give merit aid, period.

 

[Allison]

Yes, it's a merit scholarship.

They may be using merit scholarships to cover need-based aid but it loses its true merit component when that is done and is considered need-based.

 

[Poohforyou]

They may be using merit scholarships to cover need-based aid but it loses its true merit component when that is done and is considered need-based.

STOP.

Some schools take a students financial position into consideration when awarding merit scholarships. It's a fact. The schools that do this disclose it on their website. A dean's or presidents scholarship could range from $10,000-25,000. The amount awarded is based on many factors.

My daughter doesn't qualify for need based aid. We apparently make too much money and have way too much in assets.

 

[Allison]

STOP.

Some schools take a students financial position into consideration when awarding merit scholarships. It's a fact. The schools that do this disclose it on their website. A dean's or presidents scholarship could range from $10,000-25,000. The amount awarded is based on many factors.

My daughter doesn't qualify for need based aid. We apparently make too much money and have way too much in assets.

And when they take financial position into consideration it becomes a need-based award covered by merit funds. It's a common practice.

I'm sorry this discussion seems to be upsetting to you. I have found that sometimes just not coming back to read any more is helpful. Take care.

 

[mnrose]

See this word in my post you quoted?





Furthermore, regarding MIT. MIT can and does meet the financial need of every single student that attends. And they know from the forms people fill out with their income, their assets, their liabilities exactly what that need is and hence what they can pay. And they will meet that need for every single student. So if your daughter didn't have the merit scholarships, they would have met her need from other funds anyway.

Although the college's assessment of what parents can "afford" to pay is often wildly different than what, in fact, parents can afford to pay. All colleges seem to think we can "afford" to pay 100% (well, less the federally guaranteed student loan, which is a small fraction of Harvard's tuition) of their tuition and fees, and that's considering the fact that we have twins who will be in college at the same time. We COULD pay it all if we wished to be destitute in our retirement years, but nearly $150K per year for 4 years isn't in the cards. (or the bank).

And, it does not matter to me what they call it...merit or need. All I care about is what they expect me to pay. LOL.

 

[Allison]

Although the college's assessment of what parents can "afford" to pay is often wildly different than what, in fact, parents can afford to pay.

That is very true.

 

[Allison]

And, it does not matter to me what they call it...merit or need. All I care about is what they expect me to pay. LOL.

I agree.