Auburn vs Alabama National Merit Scholarship

<p>This is the way I see it</p>

<p>Auburn–full tuition 15 credit hours a semester…OOS pays in state tuition after 15 hours
Alabama- full tuition 16 credit hours a semester–OOS pays OOS tuition after 16 hours
TOSS UP</p>

<p>Auburn–$4000 for study abroad
Alabama-$2000 for study abroad
Winner AUBURN</p>

<p>Auburn–Annual stipend $1000-$2000 per year
Alabama-Annual stipend $1000 per year
For my family it is a tie…for those who are financially disadvantaged Auburn wins</p>

<p>Auburn–$1500 technology allowance
Alabama-Free laptop computer
For us Auburn wins</p>

<p>Auburn–$4400 housing allowance
Alabama-regular room rate in any building
For us Alabama wins</p>

<p>What scholarship is better? I’m not so sure.</p>

<p>I would say that for NMFs, it’s a push. Look at what each school offers in your major and, if still equal, choose the school you like the best.</p>

<p>Alabama-hands down! (And I’m an Auburn grad) Alabama has more money-period! Plus, I believe their programs are more recognized nationally, which can be very imp when it comes to finding a job.</p>

<p>Notre Dame, I am surprised by your response. I thought that Auburn had such a national reputation, especially for its engineering. You don’t think the rest of the nation still regards Bama as a football school and wouldn’t be impressed by a Bama degree?</p>

<p>Not knocking either school, just a serious question, as son will be seeking employment outside of the south, most likely, and even though we’d love to send him to a school out of the south, the Bama and Auburn scholarships are very tempting to keep him here. </p>

<p>Glad to know that either school will be a good bet academically. Again, need to visit both and see which one is the best fit.</p>

<p>I think many see Auburn as a football school as well–go visit, as only your student can decide what might fit. Ask about endowments as well.</p>

<p>PS–visit the career centers of both schools as well. Ultimately these will be a huge asset when your student is seeking employment.</p>

<p>The non-resident fees will apply to any extra hours (my daughters name here) takes at
Auburn. However, as a National Hispanic Scholar, students are awarded an
additional $1,000 to $2,000 stipend per year which can help cover
additional classes. I hope this helps!</p>

<p>War Eagle!
Virginia Elliott</p>

<p>Virginia Elliott '07
Admissions Advisor
Office of University Recruitment
115 Quad Center
Auburn University</p>

<p>This is the email I received from Auburn today. I guess the extra hours are not at resident rates.</p>

<p>Auburn–full tuition 15 credit hours a semester…
Alabama- full tuition 16 credit hours a semester…</p>

<p>Auburn–$4000 for study abroad
Alabama-$2000 for study abroad</p>

<p>Auburn–Annual stipend $1000-$2000 per year
Alabama-Annual stipend $1000 per year</p>

<p>Auburn–$1500 technology allowance
Alabama-Free laptop compute</p>

<p>Auburn–$4400 housing allowance
Alabama-regular room rate in any building</p>

<p>Changes made</p>

<p>I’m also stuck between the two… I’m applying to both though.</p>

<p>A couple of questions…</p>

<p>Auburn–$4000 for study abroad - I assume this is a one-time amount of money.
Auburn–$1500 technology allowance - One time I assume.
Auburn–$4400 housing allowance - Per year (or semester)</p>

<p>Auburn–$4000 for study abroad - I assume this is a one-time amount of money. CORRECT
Auburn–$1500 technology allowance - One time I assume. CORRECT
Auburn–$4400 housing allowance - Per year (or semester) PER SEMESTER</p>

<p>The study abroad can also be used for unpaid internships, if that helps.</p>

<p>My understanding is the 4400 housing allowance is for one year or two semesters, not per semester. A standard double dorm at Auburn is around 2200 per semester. Although, if your child lives in the honors dorm, housing rates start at $2790 per semester. So, the housing allowance either fully pays for housing or a big chunk of it, depending on your choice. As for my daughter, we have applied for the 4/2 honor’s dorm in the village.</p>

<p>Don’t forget there are additional scholarships a NMF can get like department scholarships and if they score over a 1490 SAT or a 34 ACT they may be awarded an elite scholarship. If offered, the cost of attendance could be next to nothing. I don’t know if Alabama has additional money outside of the Fellows Program.</p>

<p>Proud_mom wrote “Don’t forget there are additional scholarships a NMF can get like department scholarships and if they score over a 1490 SAT or a 34 ACT they may be awarded an elite scholarship.”</p>

<p>Ok, so I have a couple of questions about this.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The 1490 - is that superscored?</p></li>
<li><p>Would it be possible for me to retake the SAT in January and have those scores (hopefully higher) count toward this scholarship opportunity? (I have a combined 1480. Rats!)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>joefrommiami - according to the Auburn website the CR/M score of 1490 and above has to be from one sitting, not a superscore. I doubt they will accept a January SAT score because of logistics. The invitations to apply for the Elite scholarships are sent out in December and are due in January. According to the website, only 14 of those that apply for the Elite scholarships are invited to a scholar’s weekend in February. You still ought to apply for the department scholarships. You can find the applications on the school website.</p>

<p>I received the letter for the Presidential Scholarship and there was no mention of the annual stipend or the housing allowance.</p>

<p>Have those gone away?</p>

<p>The Presidential Scholarship doesn’t include housing or an annual stipend. The NMF award does. Basically, the NMF award is the Presidential plus the housing allowance and annual stipend.</p>

<p>Thanks proud_mom. That is exactly what I was hoping. Thanks for the clarification.</p>

<p>If you have not visited Auburn yet, please do so. We fell in love with the school from the beginning. At my insistence, my daughter looked at other schools and applied to them and their respective honors colleges. She was hoping to be a finalist for the National Scholar’s Program at Clemson, but wasn’t and that would have been the only school to lure her away from Auburn and the lure was only that program, Clemson itself didn’t impress her as much as Auburn did. Even though she was a little bothered to not be a finalist at Clemson with her portfolio she seems happy that everything continues to lead back to Auburn, her first choice. I think with her interests and personality she will be happier at Auburn and I, and my husband are Gator alumni. (I was far more impressed with Auburn than I am currently with UF.)</p>

<p>Ok, a few questions…</p>

<ol>
<li><p>If I have to take an extra semester beyond 4 years (as often happens), will I be paying out-of-state tuition?</p></li>
<li><p>If I choose to attend summer sessions at Auburn, will I be billed at out-of-state tuition rates?</p></li>
</ol>