<p>FWIW, my son is in his freshman year and was notified of a pretty good merit scholarship in January of 2011. Regents came maybe a little later. Financial Aid information came later, starting in April, if I remember correctly. That was for engineering… I have no idea if they continued to hand out merit funds after that or not. I’m guessing so, if some students turn awards down due to deciding to go elsewhere.</p>
<p>Thanks @kmcmom13. I agree.</p>
<p>Now that I’ve had a chance to sleep on it. I’m more angry at myself for letting our D and DM and I getting lulled to sleep on what the disparity between FA packages can actually be. I’m only now (a little late) understanding the difference between the “FM-Federal Method” and “IM-Institutional Method” (that UMich uses). Had I know then, what I’ve come to know now? I don’t think I’d even have let D slip UMich onto the table. That is what I regret most.</p>
<p>Be warned everyone - in the future, the CSS profile “users” will hold much more against you than exclusive FAFSA users. When a CSS profile user says they’ll meet “90% of demonstrated need?” They’re working from an entirely different playbook than the EFC that shows up on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>@Wildwood^The GAP is 18k, but I am betting Jawbreaker’s loans will take that to 24,500 plus up to another 4,000 work study, which is still self-help. So his net cost (including loans and self help) after a 17k grant will still be more than in-state.</p>
<p>Likewise, Wildwood, the most your net cost could be would be about $22k with housing included, given the merit award. After the $6500 in federal loans you child would be entitled to, your GAP as we call it would be about $15,500. But in your case, GAP isn’t really the right word, because your EFC via the CSS profile you would have had to submit to receive the fin aid package would likely demonstrate that you did not have “need” in terms of the definition for aid purposes (eg. an EFC of $15,500 or greater)-- usually we call it “GAPPED” when the aid offered does not meet the EFC. Which in the case of OOS students, is most of the time, unfortunately.</p>
<p>Not receiving merit at Michigan has nothing to do with being a “mediocre” applicant. All the students who are accepted these days are in fact quite extraordinary – the top few percentiles of their classes, come from rigorous college prep programs, and possess myriad talents and skills. </p>
<p>My son, I am certain, did not receive his scholarship due to outstanding statistics compared to his peers. It was his achievement in a very specific field in a very specific set of circumstances and a very specific gifted/talented program that likely garnered his award, I suspect.</p>
<p>So don’t make the presence or the absence of further merit “mean” anything about the caliber of your student. It really is a very tiny percentage who receive merit at Michigan. Michigan attempts instead to meet as much of in-state financial need as possible. But for middle class parents with means in-state, that often ends up making other more generous privates the better deal in the end. Sad, but true and common knowledge among my college-parent-pals from said gifted program!</p>
<p>@giterdone – Truly there’s no harm in letting your d explore her options. It’s good training for life, where we all have to make sound financial decisions one day and get to decide who we’re going to be about our setbacks. So don’t regret going through the process at all – use it for the teaching moment it can be! I did that with NYU 
Best wishes.</p>
<p>Kmcmom, thank you for the explanation.</p>
<p>Anyone else anxiously waiting for their F.A. package? (and hoping for a LSA scholarship)? Haha.</p>
<p>Thanks Kmcmom, for being more explicit than I was above about how the lack of merit is not a reflection on an applicant-when I said most merit is limited to the exceptional in my post above I meant exceptional among the U of M class, which is obviously full of talented and bright students. There are so many bright and talented kids most can’t get merit, unlike at many private schools.</p>
<p><em>Disclaimer</em> I don’t know if scholarship demographics have changed a lot in the last few years, but I’ll add my two cents.</p>
<p>I’m IS, matriculated in '07, and I was awarded the LSA Dean’s scholarship ($10K/yr). Two of my hallmates (also IS) had the same or similar scholarships from LSA, and I think we all heard in mid-late April if memory serves me correctly.</p>
<p>I also attended a few functions/fundraisers for scholarship recipients, and I definitely saw a good amount of Michigan residents there too.</p>
<p>I think my stats are a little old to be relevant, but since I know a bunch of you will ask:
36, 2350, 3.99UW.</p>
<p>I definitely relate to the “slap in the face” terminology. My son is also OOS. At least we put off our recce to U Mich and saved that $…</p>
<p>Michigan Stick, the 36 ACT 2350 SAT is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about with the “exceptional” student. Although obviously some with less than a 36 also get merit.</p>
<p>@aairplanes</p>
<p>Have you heard anything from LSA regarding scholarships? (On their website they say that Shipman nominees are awarded additional funds on top of a Shipman scholarship.) I am also OOS and awaiting some kind of notice from them.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>nothing but regents for an instate 36 4.0. oh well… Umich may hate me, but the ivies have been kind :)</p>
<p>incredible.</p>
<p>@barbie: I had no Ivy acceptances and Michigan (LSA) showed me some love in the end, so I hope things work out for you!</p>
I am a potential Bentley Scholar with my interview tomorrow, and I was just wondering how the interview experience went for you? Do you have any tips or advice?
xxCiaraxMist, I am a potential Bentley Scholar with my interview tomorrow, and I was just wondering how the interview experience went for you? Do you have any tips or advice?
I am a potential Bentley Scholar with my interview tomorrow, and I was just wondering how the interview experience went for you? Do you have any tips or advice?