<p>I recall a few years ago, my S applied to various OOS state universities and, without asking, was offered some merit $$. He ended up going to a private university but I was wondering whether schools like UMass are fairly liberal with offering some merit ( incentive ) $$ to garner some OOS applicants ? My D just applied to UMass-Amherst as well as a bunch of other state universities ( UDel, UPItt, Penn State, et al.. ). Thanks.</p>
<p>We are firmly middle class (comfortable but not loaded by any means) and both daughters were offered good need+merit aid packages by several private colleges such that UMass (we are in-state) would have been more expensive than half the private schools they applied to.</p>
<p>Both are attending private colleges for less money than UMass would have cost.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t expect out of staters to get much merit aid from UMass, given that the taxpayers who foot the bill for the university are offered very little.</p>
<p>Thanks MA. Pretty much what I had surmised. MY S is down at Emory Univ., … so, in comparison, most of these state universities are a “bargain” even without amy merit aid.</p>
<p>Today’s Boston Globe contained an front page article stating that UMass-Amherst is going to double the number of out-of-staters it enrolls, from 15% up to 30%.</p>
<p>They are doing this to create a revenue stream–they see OOS students as cash cows to be tapped. Sounds like they won’t be offering them much aid, if their goal is to get more kids paying OOS full freight.</p>
<p>While they would seemingly generate some extra $$, I would think that the school would also get some of the instate applicants a bit upset, at least those that are denied admission for OOSers. As Rick Nelson used to sing " can’t please everyone so you gotta please yourself". Thanks.</p>
<p>There are a small number of merit scholarships available. Many of these are tuition waivers, which sounds great but keep in mind that for in-state students, the tuition is only $1714 and the fees (which are not covered by tuition waivers) are over $10K. Not sure what the breakdown is for OOS.</p>
<p>[UMass</a> Amherst: Undergraduate Admissions - Scholarships for Entering Students](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/admissions/scholarships/]UMass”>http://www.umass.edu/admissions/scholarships/)</p>
<p>MBJ:</p>
<p>Their plan is to increase the size of the student body by adding 300 more OOS’ers each year until the percentage is up to 30% (15% today).</p>
<p>The biggest scam is that mentioned by notrichenough, that tuition is very low but fees are crushing.</p>
<p>30% out of staters. That is beginning to sound like ASU, Penn State, UVA, and Michigan.</p>
<p>UDelaware has 2/3 OOSers from what I recall. I used to think that the college was the most important thing…lately, I tend to subscribe to the notion that, in order of importance is, what one does in college, how one does it, and where he/she goes to school.</p>
<p>NO. My daughter is there now and UMass gave almost nothing, $1,500 for an OOS student.</p>
<p>jg…$ 1,500 is more than several state universities these days. I guess they have so many applicants, incentive merit $$ is not high on their agenda.</p>
<p>Just like MADad, it was cheaper for my son to go to a private university OOS than attend UMass (accepted to the honors college as well). It was obviously a no brainer but disheartening.</p>