<p>I've heard from multiple sources that Notre Dame's aid programs are completely need-based. But when I went on their financial aid website it said "The level of University assistance is based on both demonstrated financial need and academic performance." So, now I am confused. Does Notre Dame's financial aid depend on merit or not? Are there any merit based scholarships?</p>
<p>From what I've heard and the conclusions I've reached, the AMOUNT is based on financial need, but the METHOD is based on academics. You'll recieve the same amount, but better academics = more grants (which means you don't have to pay it back), as opposed to loans which you owe back to the University when you graduate.</p>
<p>Local Alum clubs might provide some merit scholarships--if the alum club in your area happens to be strong and wealthy! No flat out merit aid at ND, but that is pretty common among your more competitive schools, and esp. among the ivies. Like Kevdude said, merit aid at ND is a combination of financial need and merit.</p>
<p>We know someone who attended ND who said they paid for his "books" for being a National Merit Finalist. Have you heard about ND doing anything like this for NMFs?</p>
<p>I don't think that's true... NMF's aren't really given any special treatment. I'll ask the other honors kids tomorrow to find out.</p>
<p>Freshman Son is a Nattional Merit Finalist, Reilly Scholar, ND Scholar, etc.--He received 0 dollars with regard to ND. No money for books, no financial aid, etc. Perhaps the local alum club of that student paid for his books. Like I mentioned in the earlier post, some of your larger, wealthier alum clubs do offer some merit money. If his books were paid for, I would be willing to bet that the Alum Club for his area did this. I would imagine that payment for books would be something an Alum Club could handle if they have the money.</p>
<p>nd scholar and no financial help? thats rough</p>
<p>As Kevdude stated--merit aid is tied to Financial need. I'm beginning to believe that if you try to save for your kid's college fund, you are penalized!</p>
<p>notre dame AL - the student I am speaking of is from our small town of 25,000 and there is no alumni club. I didn't hear this directly from him, but it came down the line from several people - could be incorrect information. I will have to call his parents and ask where the "free books" came from. Well, I was holding out hope that maybe ND would eek out a little bit of something. When so many schools offer NMFs full rides, it is so hard to turn your back on that kind of money. We are trying to grit our teeth and let D make her decision, not based on money, but on what her head and her heart tell her is the best place for her. You are right - when you work hard, pay off your house, save religiously for college since the birth of your child, often times you feel like your efforts backfire on you!</p>
<p>Supposedly, the people that have said so far that financial aid at Notre Dame is entirely need-based are accurate. Some merit clubs do give small financial awards as well. But the process itself can be very frustrating.</p>
<p>ND loves to tout its large endowment, NBC revenues, and generous financial aid packages. But want to know "what"? They're doing no one a service. I love capitalism, but essentially the explanation for our current state of affairs in the market of upper-tier higher education is a psuedo-oligopoly. The Ivy's, ND, Georgetown, and the like realize that prestige is determined by price tag. </p>
<p>There is no supply and demand model adequate for this case. Why? Universities are not in the business of profit-seeking. Besides, if they wanted supply to equal demand, they'd have to charge more than $100,000 to get rid of the thousands of students each year that apply for admittance. </p>
<p>Essentially, it's a tricky collusive tactic employed by America's best universities to take a pretty penny from the upper class and to squeeze middle class families like mine.</p>
<p>There, I said it.</p>
<p>Well-said Irish hopeful! It is frustrating for everyone and not just those at Notre Dame. Midwest Parent-those NMF full rides are pretty much found at your large state schools, I believe. And, you are correct also, in how hard it is to grit teeth and let your child make a decision. Keep one thing in mind, merit aid or not, I still think a Notre Dame education is worth it!!! (And, I am the parent helping to pay for it, not the child/student. In my next life, (Ha!), I want to come back as my child!</p>
<p>Midwest Parent, being a National Merit Scholar offers a lot of scholarship opportunities and whoever said that probably used one of those scholarships to pay for his books.</p>
<p>SCSS - You could be right - maybe he was a NM Scholar and received one of the $2,500 scholarships they give out that can be used at any college, whether they participate in the NM program or not.</p>
<p>ND AL - You are right. Most of the free ride offers D has received are from large state schools (Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, etc.). But, there are a couple of small, private schools that have also offered (one with a value of $120,000 over 4 years!), but of course it is a second tier school - not one of the top 50. Still, we are going to visit this weekend and see what it is all about!</p>
<p>The fact that none of us get any merit aid emphasizes the fact that we are among equals. There is not one of us that is worth $6000 or $30000 more than the other.</p>