<p>I've been offered a full ride to a university which isn't one of my top choices. My top choice doesn't tell me if I've earned merit scholarships until March, but the full ride offer must be accepted or declined by February. If I don't get a scholarship at my top choice, then I'll end up going with the full ride...but I don't want to commit to the full ride as I may end up getting a scholarship down the road for one of my top choices. Should I just accept the scholarship? I mean...really what can they do if I accept the full ride but end up going somewhere else?</p>
<p>Also, scholarship money in excess of tuition/fees/room/board can be used for "educational expenses"...examples? I thought of a computer or study abroad but what else?</p>
<p>I'd contact the admissions office and ask what to do--particularly, I'd ask the number two school for an extension.</p>
<p>If they say no, I'd ask the #1 school what they'd suggest you do. A February reply deadline is incredibly odd. Did you apply ED 2?</p>
<p>Personally, if you accept the scholarship before February and then withdraw from it later, I can't really see what would go wrong. They could report it to any other colleges and there is a minute chance you could lose the better offer at your #1 school, but I doubt it.</p>
<p>But it's probably better to ask first.</p>
<p>And I don't know about the excess scholarships, if you're talking about outside scholarships then you'd probably need to talk to whomever is awarding them. Universities usually don't award over 100% of costs, so that wouldn't be a problem.</p>
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A February reply deadline is incredibly odd. Did you apply ED 2?
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<p>I applied regular decision (by the November 1st scholarship deadline)</p>
<p>The university is having a huge influx of students this year because of the addition of student housing new in '08, so they're requesting that I make my decision quickly. I'll simply accept...and if anything better comes along I'll let them know I have to take back my decision.</p>