I didn't get merit based aid from NYU!

<p>I applied to NYU expecting to get some sort of merit based contribution from them, but on my financial aid summary, it says that I got an unsubsidized loan and a federal plus loan. I'm not really sure what either of those mean, but I was surprised because I have a few friends that are equally qualified academically, and they got a significant amount in scholarship money. I even know a few people that have lower SAT scores and gpas, but still got money. As it possible that they made a mistake?
This isn't meant to sound pompous or anything, I'm genuinely asking.
If I got money, I would most definitely go there!</p>

<p>What is your major? On the NYU website it indicates that not all majors/colleges have money to give. </p>

<p>What are your stats?</p>

<p>If I got money, I would most definitely go there!</p>

<p>How much merit/aid do you need?</p>

<p>The Plus loan is a loan for your parents. They would have to qualify and agree to those loans each year. Have you talked to your parents about those?</p>

<p>We haven’t really discussed it yet. I was going to call tomorrow morning and speak to a financial aid officer. I was admitted to CAS for physics. Any chance you have the link for which majors can’t give merit based aid?
SAT:
Math: 690
Writing: 700
CR: 770
GPA: 3.83</p>

<p>Sorry to tell you this, but 2 years ago when D was accepted to CAS at NYU (she was ED), she also received nothing. Her SAT’s were similar to yours and her grades were well over 4.0.</p>

<p>I called and was told that there are very few who receive merit (at least in CAS) and was also told that even students with perfect SAT’s and val’s don’t always receive merit.</p>

<p>So, yes it is very disappointing. You have my sympathy.</p>

<p>*
CR: 770
Math: 690
Writing: 700</p>

<p>GPA: 3.83 *</p>

<p>SAT: 2160</p>

<p>NYU says that only some majors/colleges give merit scholarships and usually only to the top 5% of applicants. I don’t think with your stats that you’re in the top 5%. </p>

<p>You may be mistaken as to the stats of those other students or their merit may have had some other component to them. Or, they may be calling their grant aid “scholarships”. They may have received federal and state grants because of income.</p>

<p>I don’t know which majors don’t have merit scholarships.</p>

<p>The top 25% of applicants are going to have SATs above a 2200, so your stats are not high for the school. Certainly, NYU is going to have some Physics applicants with higher stats.</p>

<p>Test Scores Middle 50% of First-Year Students<br>
SAT Critical Reading: 610 - 710<br>
SAT Math: 630 - 740<br>
SAT Writing: 620 - 720<br>
ACT Composite: 28 - 31</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman at NYU in CAS. She was Valedictorian with more than a 4.0 and got 2300 on her SATs. She didn’t get a dime of merit aid from NYU. Not a cent. The irony was that they invited her to be in the CAS Honors Program. When I called to ask if being in the Honors Program entitled her to any scholarship money, the woman told me NO. She went to NYU, but declined the offer to be in the Honors Program, since that would involve spending even more money traveling abroad during Christmas break and would require volunteer work. If she has any extra time on her hands, she will be working for money, not working for free.</p>