Do schools awarding merit aid ever increase the aid if student is named a National Merit Scholar?

Paying for College
1

One school my kid really likes will cost about $6000 more than would like to pay. They did offer merit aid. However, I do know they offered merit aid in larger amounts to others. My question is: Is it possible they would increase the merit aid even a small amount if they find out kid is a National Merit Scholar? Is it worth it to contact financial aid and inquire?

2

Do they know your kid is a NMSF? If so they have already factored that in. If not let them know ASAP. It might make a difference.

3

What school is this? From your past posts, it seems like the school is an elite school. If so, they have many NMFs attending.

4

Nope.

Our son is a NM corporate winner. At his elite school, which we pay a bundle for, a number of his classmates (and roommate) were winners.

For the “elite” schools, they have an over-abundance of NMF and winners.

The schools that wanted him, and tried to entice him with all kinds of scholarships and extras, were in the south and midwest.

You can ask, but if it is an ivy, expect your award to stay about the same.

5

Well…it can’t be an Ivy, because they don’t give merit aid.

But even at other tippy top schools where merit is awarded, you may find a lot of high achieving students.

Sure…ask. But don’t be surprised if there is not much increase, if any.

6

Thanks everyone. It was Rice I was wondering about.

7

rice likely has a lot of NMFs attending. Does Rice care about that stat?

8

Yes, approx. 15,000 are NMF, less than half advance to NMS. I didn’t know if that meant something or not.

9

Your child is getting the one time $2500 award? Congrats. But it won’t mean anything to Rice.

10

Thanks, that is what I wanted to know. Rice can’t match MIT and Princeton aid packages. So Rice will be out and we’re down to the the two listed. He’s at CPW now and next week is Princeton visit. Unless something outstanding happens at P, kid will be attending MIT. He just loves the place. However, he has never been there in winder. In fact, he has never lived anywhere with temperatures below 40 degrees. Even that is an unusual event. We are usually 70 most of the winter. That is my main concern. He won’t be able to handle bone chilling cold for days and months at a time.