<p>Hi</p>
<p>I am a recent high school graduate who has enrolled at a university for Fall 2013, unfortunately my parents' financial situation has drastically changed over the summer and my family can no longer afford to pay for my education unless I take out loans. I am considering taking a gap year and reapplying to schools in the fall because it is too late to enroll at schools where I received large merit scholarships.</p>
<p>My questions:</p>
<p>If I were to take a gap year and reapply to schools in the fall as an incoming freshman (I would have 0 college credits), would I still qualify for the merit scholarships which I qualified for this year? My high school statistics were fine I had a high GPA and SAT score, but would the fact that I was applying as a high school graduate, as opposed to applying as a student in the 12th grade change anything?</p>
<p>Thanks from a surprised kid in an odd financial predicament.</p>
<p>If you do not take one single college course after high school graduation, you will retain your freshman applicant status.</p>
<p>If you cannot arrange to enroll in any of the institutions where you were offered enough merit aid to make it work for this fall, your best option is to formally withdraw from the place where you were intending to study, and take a gap year. When you do withdraw, make certain that you are indeed fully withdrawn, and that no record of enrollment is generated so that you do not end up owing that place any money.</p>
<p>Good luck with all of the new applications!</p>
<p>I appreciate the quick response happymomof1, it lifted some weight off my shoulders. Does anybody else have any advice?</p>
<p>Depending on the gap, try fund raising. It sucks not having money but don’t give up until you have exhausted all options… if this is what you really want</p>
<p>I would take happymom’s recommendations, but also contact the merit aid schools to see if there is any way they can still take you this year. It’s possible someone canceled late.</p>
Aegis, what happened with you?
I am gathering info on how a gap year affects eligibility for merit scholarships. For at least one OOS scholarship at U of Missouri, eligibility depends on “Enrollment at MU the first semester after high school graduation” i.e. gap year would make the student ineligible. At u of Alabama, "“Only entering freshman applying during their senior year of high school … are eligible for these scholarships.”
@epson410 Bama has changed its policy…
If I take a year off between graduating from high school and entering college can I still be considered for scholarships through Undergraduate Admissions?
As long as you do not receive any academic credit from another institution and meet the December 15 admission deadline for the year you are applying you will be considered. You must notify the Scholarships department in writing of your year off from school immediately following your graduation from high school. As with any entering freshman, your GPA through your junior year in high school and your test scores from your senior year in high school will be considered. Don’t forget that the December ACT and December SAT during your senior year will be the last test scores considered for scholarships.