<p>Although it sounds silly,I still want to ask…could anyone explain it?</p>
<p>that’s what i’m wondering too… XD
did you get your letter already too? i got mine couple days ago…</p>
<p>Me too. I think the scholarship is just in honor of the 125th anniversary, and that the details of of the scholarship include something related to the project they mentioned in the letter. I wonder how many recipients there are… 125? :)</p>
<p>I googled it, and stumbled upon a page discussing the 125th anniversary celebration, but then it mentioned something on scholarships for graduate students (male?), and something on fellowships. The alumnae website where this was posted, mentioned nothing on undergraduate scholarships. </p>
<p>My guess? The carrot to lure in the rabbit(s). After all, $15,000/ year (excluding need-based FA) is pretty difficult to pass up. </p>
<p>In all honesty, I have no clue. Google did not help this time around. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>CMK92: I think you’re probably right. I ran across this quote from a 2002 address by the former Bryn Mawr president. </p>
<p>[State</a> of the College, 2002](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/alumnae/bulletin/statecol.htm]State”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/alumnae/bulletin/statecol.htm)</p>
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<p>So it’s $15,000 in merit aid?</p>
<p>Just curious: is it $15,000 in addition to or instead of need-based financial aid? In other words, does the merit award replace need-based grants?</p>
<p>Apparently labeling need-based aid as a merit scholarship is a pretty common admission strategy these days. Studies have shown that applicants are more likely to enroll when they receive $15,000 in merit-based aid than $15,000 in need-based aid, although it makes no difference financially. I guess we all like to feel special :)</p>
<p>I tend to disagree a little with that. Most of the time it might be the same, but as someone that had a son lose need-based aid and not his merit, I like merit. I actually have a daughter wishing she got the aniv. scholar at Bryn Mawr and not all need-based because if our income changes, raise, promotion (I can dream) they will probably take some away. Merit stays no matter what. It is what kept my son from having to transfer, if his was all need-based, when his father changed jobs, he would have lost some of it.</p>
<p>That’s a good point, but I imagine it can also go the other way round. Students might lose a scholarship if they struggle academically or personally at some point in their college career.</p>
<p>That is also true. I have twins, that have been offered merit with ranges from 2.7 to 3.5. The 3.5 is the highest amount but she is giving that a LOT of thought. You have 2 semesters to correct a drop, but it’s still over your head.
I think B.Mawr realized in this economy, that parents,affluent parents, who might have had more money, lost a good amount of it or lost their jobs or fear losing their jobs, and want merit money over need-based.
I can’t speak for all colleges by far, but I know 2 that didn’t help parents when things changed dramatically with their income,except to offer more loans which they wouldn’t be able to pay back.</p>