Merit Based Scholarship Offer

Paying for College
1

My daughter was offered a partial merit based scholarship to one of the schools she has interest in attending. The scholarship offer has to be accepted by March 13 which is 2-3 weeks before she will hear from the 2 schools she has not heard from. I don’t see anything in the scholarship offer that says by accepting the scholarship she is bound to attending the school. This school is still high on my daughter’s list, but until she hears from these other schools she will not be able to make a final decision.

What are your thoughts on her accepting this offer without actually accepting the admission offer to the college?

2

Contact the school. Tell them that this school is high on your daughter’s list but she is not yet ready to commit to any college. Ask for an extension to april 30.

3

If your daughter doesn’t accept the scholarship, they will probably offer it to someone else, so it’s reasonable for them to want some deadline. However, I agree you need more time to make the decision.

4

It is not reasonable to have a deadline before all normal admissions decisions are out. That is just pressure.

5

You can accept and then later decide to go elsewhere. That is fine since the school should NOT be making that req’t.

It doesn’t matter that they might want to offer to someone else.

6

My attitude is until you pay a deposit you are not committed.

7

Accept the scholarships does not mean you are committed to the school. It just gives them advance notice to re-distribute the merit aid if you decline.

8

My son has a similar situation and is planning to accept, then make his final decision shortly after that. I think it is perfectly fine to either accept the scholarship, or to ask for an extension, and then, if it is not given, accept the scholarship. But if she later decides to go elsewhere, she should notify the first school immediately so that they can offer it to another student.

The reason for the early deadline is so that the school can use that scholarship to recruit another student if your daughter isn’t going to take it. I think that is perfectly reasonable, and it’s their money so they can set whatever rules they want.

9

*@parentofs‌

Please do not post your own issues on a thread started by a member that was looking for answers to their particular issue. It is called hijacking the thread, and the reason it is bad form is that it becomes very unclear if people are responding to you or the OP. It is much better to start your own thread. I am splitting out your posts into its own thread. Thank you.*

10

@fallenchemist : I am sorry. I will open a new thread for my question. Thank you.