Hello,
I was offered a spot on the Grinnell wait list and immediately took it; even though I have read that chances for getting off the wait list are around 6%. On the slim likelihood that I were to be admitted from the wait list, is there still a chance of receiving merit aid? I’m not talking the highest Trustee Scholarship-- but I would probably need about $10,000-15,000 for Grinnell to be financially feasible. I did find this quote on the Chicago Tribune that worried me:
“When colleges go to their waitlist, they are looking for students who can afford the costs associated with tuition, room and board, as there is little to no financial aid left,” said Katherine Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise “Being able to pay may help.”
Does this statement ring true for Grinnell? I did not apply for need based aid because we are considered middle class and have assets, including a rental property investment. Grinnell remains my top choice, but I definitely have a lot of other great options, including Tulane with $40,000 in merit aid per year. I really don’t know what to do, but some advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I wish I could speak for Grinnell, but I can’t. However, I’ve seen this very question addressed by admissions at Oberlin, a similar institution. Rest assured, not all colleges refuse financial aid to students admitted off the wait list. Check out this link http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/selection_process/song_for_the_wa.shtml. Good luck, Ravenclawrose55.
According to this outdated (2012) article and my understanding of Grinnell financial aid, Grinnell will accept students off the waitlist regardless of their financial need. However, because you do not have financial need and were only hoping for merit aid than you pretty much have no chance. Merit aid is a recruitment tool and Grinnell is not concerned about recruiting the people who accepted the waitlist. They would give the merit aid to the students that they accepted first and not everyone accepted received a merit scholarship.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/10/01/grinnell-one-countrys-wealthiest-colleges-questions-sustainability-financial-aid
If finances will not work out at Grinnell, then Tulane looks like a really great option. If it’s worth it to you, you can try to convince your parents to use some of those assets on your college tuition.
My son got off the waitlist last year and Grinnell met his full need which was fairly considerable. He heard in the middle of May that he was off the list and we got his financial aid package about a week later. We got to see the package before he fully committed. I was able to get a little bit more than first offered - they had made an error. Good luck on the waitlist - it can happen!
I have friends who got off of the waitlist at Grinnell and were still offered a significant amount of financial aid. Remember that Grinnell is a need-blind institution, so you should be okay with financial aid, and I would encourage calling the Office of Financial Aid and talking to them - really helpful.
If you are accepted off Grinnell’s waitlist, you will not receive merit aid.
Source: I have helped someone go through this process.
@mochese Is the waitlist also need blind for international students?
@mochese Is the waitlist also need blind for international students?
@Maxwell1491 I do not know the answer to that question. You would have to contact the office of admission!
Please don’t worry at all, my son got off wait list last year and now attends Grinnell - loves it! He received large merit aid plus financial aid.
@sneakersbydoor around what time last year did your S get offthe waitlist?