<p>Mr. B, Mini states the case as I understand it. I will be waiting to see how it actually works out. I was very careful to make sure that the merit award was deducted from what our EFC said we would have had to pay.</p>
<p>Mini: we're at similar points. Taxes done (necessary in my case), FAFSA submitted, PROFILE started. Headache present.</p>
<p>I quess my question is does grant money get replaced with loan money after the first year, or are they committed like Welleseley to keep the loan portion down?</p>
<p>Good question. I don't know the answer for Smith. I do know that UVM states, in fine print, that they will cover loans with additional grant money for those students who are receiving merit based scholarships. In other words, they will try to insure that their best applicants will be able to attend regardless of ability to pay.</p>
<p>How that actually plays out after analysis of your FAFSA application and other financial submissions remains to be seen.</p>
<p>As a parent nearing retirement age I would appear to have sufficient assets to be able to finance at least one college education. But that would certainly jeopardize my modest retirement income.</p>
<p>And I don't want to saddle my daughter with a huge loan debt that might take her 40 years to pay off. $160,000 is serious debt service for a youngster just starting out in life.</p>
<p>TheDad: Thanks. Smith is definitely up there on my list, although I'm awaiting other letters. I'm planning to attend Open Campus (especially since Smith will pay for my plane ticket), but I'm just not sure yet. A lot depends on where else I am accepted among Tufts, Bowdoin, Rice and Claremont McKenna.</p>
<p>Whoo! I got a STRIDE scholar letter today! </p>
<p>Is this scholarship separate from other merit awards? Do I still have a shot at other merit awards when my official admissions letter comes?</p>
<p>5 Zollmans, I think. That's if you're way up there.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all who've gotten the their decision letters! </p>
<p>I'm still waiting for mine with baited breath (Ada Comstock applicant). Smith is my first choice, and of course they're the last one I'm waiting on.</p>
<p>yay! I got a letter telling me I'm a Smith International Scholar :)</p>
<p>Congratulations! on the "S.I.S." - that's a huge thing (from the Coulter Foundation as I remember. Are you a science/engineering major? (I know that originally the idea was to educate women future scientists and engineers with the idea that many would go back to their home countries as role-models for other women there.)</p>
<p>MrB, </p>
<p>If you recieve need-based grants during your first year, an increasingly smaller portion of your financial aid package will be grants in future years, and an increasingly large portion will be loans. This is pretty consistent across most colleges I believe, and fits in with federal aid formulas. For the specific numbers, you could call the financial aid office. </p>
<p>If you got a merit-based grant, the answer to your question will depend on which award it is. For Zollman, the grant stays as a fixed percentage (50%) of tuition for all four years. I'm not sure what happens to financial aid packages when STRIDE ends after the sophomore year.</p>
<p>Rincewind, good luck. If you go to Smith, do engage with the rest of the population. Some of the Ada's do, some stick to themselves. I think you guys have a lot to offer.</p>
<p>Oh...hate to nitpick, but the word that goes with "breath" is "bated," which means "reduced in force or intensity."</p>
<p>I baited my breath with garlic once and it drove all the girls away instead. :(</p>
<p>Congratulations to all on your acceptances and scholarships (and good luck to everyone still waiting)!!</p>
<p>did they only email out scholarship letters on monday, then?</p>
<p>Probably, Wondrist. Hang in there. Sounds like we were right where you are this time last year. I think my D was the only one on this board actively hoping for Smith who DIDN'T get the Stride thing, so it was kind of a tense few days. Then she found her acceptance posted on the bannerweb and it was all good! Hope it works out for you too.</p>
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<p>Thanks! Yeah I am a prospective Physics major but my Bannerweb account says 'Major Undeclared' :p</p>
<p>Your Bannerweb account will say major undeclared until you officially declare your major. My D who declared her major a few weeks ago called home a few days after she got all the forms turned it to say Bannerweb now had her listed as a music major.
Where in India are you from? D will be in TN June and July.</p>
<p>Im from Calcutta</p>