How accurate is the NPC for merit aid calculations? Since I have a 1560 SAT and 4.0 UW GPA, with a decent amount of weighted classes, I was really hoping for a good amount of merit money. I am also planning on submitting my application before October 15 since it says they start reviewing merit scholarship applications at the end of October. The NPC only gave me 7k in “Institutional grants” though.
I know Pitt is a state school and has to prioritize in state students, but is merit aid that poor for OOS students? Since the website says that “the academic profile of a typical Chancellor’s Scholarship nominee consisted of a minimum SAT score of 1530 or 34 ACT composite score, a top 2% high school class rank (if applicable), and an ‘A’ average in challenging high school curriculums consisting of AP/IB/Honors courses” I figured I’d have a good chance at being nominated for it. Am I wrong? Does the college matter? I’ll be applying for engineering.
I’m not going to lie, the prospect of a large merit scholarship is the main reason I’m applying. It’s not the only reason, but I live in CA so getting to Pittsburgh to tour the school is a challenge. I just can’t justify the NPC’s estimate of 41k for Pitt when I have the luxury of paying in-state tuition at some really great schools, and I know some private schools more selective than Pitt that would cost less for me.
Thank you for any help!
The Pitt NPC doesn’t calculate merit scholarships. Or at least it didn’t last year. About two pages back there is a huge thread called “Pitt Class of 2021 merit scholarships.” You should really take the time to read through it and you will get a rough idea as to what you can expect when you compare your stats to others.
You are wrong about the Chancellor’s. There were quite a few perfect scoring, perfect GPA kids who didn’t get nominated. Your stats will get you considered for the Chancellor’s, but your essays are what gets you through as a finalist. They are looking for a unique student for sure.
Based on last year’s merit threads, you could get anything from $15K per year to full tuition. There were many perfect scoring, perfect GPA kids who got 15K per year. There were a few with the same stats who got 20K and then a few who got full tuition.
Pitt’s merit aid for OOS students is quite generous actually. Most large state schools don’t give ANY merit aid to OOS students. Also, they do give OOS need based aid which is highly unusual. Sounds like you qualify for that per the NPC. So with that need based award and then 15-20K per year, you pretty much have all of tuition covered if that happens.
It’s a catch 22 with the more highly selective schools you mentioned that would be more affordable…isn’t it? First you have to be actually admitted, right?
You should show some interest in the school somehow. Perhaps go to a college fair in your area and try to meet a rep; email an admissions officer, etc.
@carachel2 Thank you!
The Pitt NPC seems to be giving me a combination of need based and merit based. It asked for my GPA and test scores, and when I removed my SAT score the money dropped to $0. Doubling my parent’s income also dropped it to $0. Not sure exactly what’s going on there.
All NPC’s have give me no financial aid so far due to my parent’s assets, although they don’t make a ton of money. But Pitt doesn’t ask for much on assets on the NPC so I wonder if they actually don’t consider those? Curious if I could actually get aid from Pitt of all places haha
Thanks for clarifying on Chancellor’s, I meant it that I would hope to be considered, not that I think I’m definitely going to get it or anything.
I did get the impression that it was quite generous but the NPC made me rethink it, that’s very good to know.
By “more selective” I’m talking about schools with a roughly 30% admit rate, not Ivies or anything, but still, yes, definitely a bit of a paradox 
I’m working on planning a visit in late November, if I apply then I definitely want to visit, although the visit will be after I submit my application. Not sure what a good place for this would be on my application.
They don’t seem to have any events in California, although I’ll keep an eye out next time I’m at a college fair and check which colleges are visiting my school.
Ok, I went back and entered everything again into the Pitt NPC. I don’t remember their NPC asking for stats at all last year but I could be wrong. Some of last year is a blur for sure!
I entered my student’s stats (ACT 34, 3.98 UW GPA) and all of our income information and …she got zero. Zero merit aid. But in reality, she was awarded $17,000 per year.
I’m not sure what’s up with their NPC. If you are interested in Pitt, I would go ahead and apply for sure just to see what happened. I would think your chances for some merit would be really good. It’s just hard to say how much.
Good luck!
My understanding is that Pitt’s merit aid awards take into consideration the applicant pool for each college. Therefore, it’s really hard to know just from GPA and test scores what potential merit aid you will receive. The profile for the Swanson College of Engineering is probably different from Dietrich College of Arts and Sciences or the Business or Nursing colleges. The stats seem to be trending higher each years. It doesn’t surprise me that PItt’s NPC wouldn’t show merit aid.
From what I saw on the acceptance threads last year, it looked like a lot of people were disappointed in the merit awards. A lot of students with 1500+ SATs only received $10-15K.
I think you’re definitely taking the right perspective in evaluating if the additional cost for Pitt is worth it compared to the UC’s and CSU’s that you’ll be able to pick from. D18 will be facing the same dilemma, although her 1400 SAT will probably not get her much merit aid as an engineering applicant. We live in Florida, and UF has a very strong program. However, she absolutely hates Gainsville and loves Pittsburgh (I grew up there).
@Dogsandmath23 – I would apply soon and the beauty of Pitt is you’ll have a preliminary merit offer well before most other schools. Since you are from CA and Pitt likes to diversify, you merit offer should be good. What you want to major in may affect it also.
@TitanMom16 —so hard to predict. A 4.0 UW GPA and 35 ACT last year from CA got $15K per year.
I agree that it is hard to predict, and has definitely gotten harder over the past 6 years. My DS (PharmD '17) got full tuition (the first 4 years of 6). He had 1420 SAT and 3.8 GPA and we are from NY. But as I said, if you apply early, you’ll know where you stand while applying to other schools.