I’m a senior applying to Stanford, UCB, UCD, and SJSU. I know that Stanford gives more financial aid than merit aid, so I’m just asking about the last three.
These colleges don’t really list actual “requirements” for their scholarships; for example, UCB just says that you should have good community service/leadership/grades in order to get the Regent’s Scholarship. Could anyone give me a general outline of the type of stats that get merit aid at these schools, and also preferably how much?
The primary merit award at UC Berkeley is the Regent’s Scholarship. Since it is a competitive, rather than an assured award, there are no specific requirements. All applicants are eligible, and about the top 2% are invited to compete for the award.
The monetary amount given is dependent on financial need. If a student has no need, then a token $2500 per year is given. Students with financial need will be given an amount up to meeting full need.
Madison-
this is what he said-"
“I know that Stanford gives more financial aid than merit aid”
He needs to know that this assumption about Stanford is WRONG.
That’s not exactly a false assumption - since as you say Stanford gives zero merit aid, then it is a true statement that “Stanford gives more financial aid than [zero] merit aid”.
Is it true that Stanford does not give merit Aid?
yes.
so it is a false assumption that Stanford gives merit aid.
I can play the logic game all night…
sheeshhhhh…
<<<
This is a double side note, but my parents are average middle class (my dad is retired) and my sister is at a CC. As far as any unique “struggles” in my life, I have severe eczema, and that’s something I’ve worked to overcome. School is important to me partially because of my eczema, because extreme sweat (basically doing sports or exercising too much, straining myself) makes me flare up, so I want to succeed in academics if nothing else
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@Madison85 I played golf freshman year, but that’s it, so no scholarships from that. I’ve played piano in my high school jazz band for four years, and had private lessons for about 10. I have more ECs than that, I just listed the ones I thought were the most relevant to merit aid.
@menloparkmom Thank you for pointing me talking out of my butt, I knew somewhere in the depths of my mind that Stanford doesn’t give merit aid but I was being an idiot when I wrote this post and it’s too late to take it down anyways.
@mom2collegekids What do you mean by NPCs? (Sorry if it’s something obvious)
@BrownParent My parents have an income under 90,000, but they have some property, so according to the online financial aid calculators for UCB/UCD/SJSU, I have next to no aid; maybe a thousand dollars or so. I think the money I qualified for was in a Cal Grant but I don’t remember exactly.
In your planning for UC and CSU, you can’t rely on getting more than the NPC shows. Expand your search if you can’t cover CSU or UC cost. And look at commute from home options.
My children had similar stats and weren’t offered regents anywhere - not even UCSC. As stated above, the stats get you considered, but the ECs and/or essay will probably be the detemining factor. Good luck to you. Also, you can search the SJSU website for additional scholarships to apply for particular to that school and your major.
Just realized I should post this here, just in case!
I got accepted to UCD and got their Regent’s Scholarship / was accepted into their Honors Program!
https://www.ucdavis.edu/cost/scholarships/regents indicates $7,500, or may be more to replace expected student loan and work for students receiving financial aid. At 3.25 GPA in 39 quarter credit units per year is needed to renew.
Last update (for schools):
UC Berkeley: accepted! No scholarships, tho, but still cool to have it as an option
I also applied to Santa Clara University and got $25,600 per year from a Dean’s scholarship and a grant, but it’s still more expensive than other colleges, so I’m not going there.
