My D received this award last year in HS. We visited and LOVED UofR…and it’s now her first choice and ours too. She has applied. Is this award considered an outside scholarship? Because UofR applies outside scholarships to work study and loans first…then to need based aid, according to the website. We are just beginning to realize what a big difference this could make for us.
No, I’m pretty sure that is not considered an outside award. B&L and the uni give that award, per their listed scholarships on the website. That doesn’t mean she isn’t also eligible for other awards from the college. Did you run the NPC? I’m not sure if it asks and takes into consideration this award, but it may give you a better picture of what to expect. Merit scholarships usually replace need aid, however you can look around on UofR webpages to see how merit is treated. Also there is a UofR specific forum here and maybe this has been discussed.
Also note:
If a student receives this award, is it more likely they will be admitted to Rochester and receive a scholarship?
The Office of Admissions values the selection of students for these awards and considers this honor along with the rest of a student’s application. However, it does not guarantee admission to Rochester or the receipt of a merit scholarship.
The B & L is often packaged with other aid to make UR more attractive to the caliber of student who wins the award from their HS. Bausch and Lomb winners quite often end up at ivies/Stanford/etc
Thanks for the replies. It does appear that they will take outside scholarships and apply it to the work study first, then the loans, then the need. But, no, the B&L award and possible scholarship, would not qualify for an outside award. Oh well. Excited for a decision soon and the financial letter afterward.