<p>The official College info on these plays it very close to the vest. Any idea on what qualifies one to receive this? Is the amount variable? Does it offset need based aid? What percentage of enrolled students have earned it? Is it just for entering freshmen (with continuance), or can you be a first time scholar in your sophomore, or later, years?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any information anyone might provide.</p>
<p>~Q</p>
<p>This is what the School’s website says about it, though I assume you’ve probably already read this. </p>
<p>[Lafayette</a> Scholarships Tuition & Aid Lafayette College](<a href=“http://finaid.lafayette.edu/financing-your-education/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/]Lafayette”>http://finaid.lafayette.edu/financing-your-education/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/)</p>
<p>Does anyone else have more info? I’m curious as well.</p>
<p>I re-read the website and I missed two answers to my original questions. First, although it IS renewable it can only be earned as a freshman. So, no “proving yourself” once you’re there. Second, it is awarded before need is assessed; so earning it might just mean that the amount of need based aid is reduced. Some questions remain though. It says it was offered to about 20% of applicants, but depending on Lafayette’s yield, this could be a very low number of attendees indeed. And in terms of qualifying, it gives a “typical” range which means absolutely nothing since it is neither a percentile nor a threshold. I’m primarily wondering because Lafayette could be an early decision school, but I wouldn’t want to reduce the chances of earning the scholarship by going the early decision route. (Even though it states you’d be considered, it doesn’t say it’s a level playing field for ED applicants)</p>
<p>D is a Marquis and told me that about 20% of her class are Marquis scholars. No absolute cut off on GPA or SAT scores but if you are in top 5% of your class and have SAT around 1350 ( math and CR) or higher you will probably be offered the scholarship. See last years Marquis discussion for SAT scores of some accepted Marquis Scholars.This of course may vary based on the quality of the applicant pool. Not sure if applying ED would decrease your chance of getting Marquis but if you have the stats, you will be admitted RD, so why risk it. Schools use merit aid as an enticement tool to attract students they want. If you apply ED, they no longer
need to entice you. Good luck.</p>
<p>According to the website:
I think it is pretty clear that if your demonstrated need exceeds the $20,000 minimum award, the grant (i.e. not loans) will be increased to meet your demonstrated need. Not a bad deal at all. Agree with the jbroadway that if you are in the running for Marquis, you should not need to apply ED.</p>
<p>S is a frosh Marquis scholar. Top 3% of class and 1560 (Math/CR). The school goes out of its way to individualize student learning, wherever you might fall in the spectrum. This has certainly been the case for my son. I highly doubt you will jeopardize your chances for Marquis scholarship by applying ED. If you qualify, you qualify. The scholarship is among the most generous offered by the top 40 LACs. It also allows for interim session study abroad. If Laf is your school, go for it.</p>