Merit Scholarships at Chapman

<p>Thank you for your replies! Unfortunately, my D didn’t qualify for any financial aid. We are hoping for a generous merit scholarship. Sooo. When I click on Financial Aid Letter, it says there is no record. </p>

<p>I hope I’m not confusing the two. Isn’t financial aid income based and merit scholarships are grade based?</p>

<p>Thanks again for your well wishes and congrats to you! My stomach is so full of butterflies. My sweet D has worked so hard for this and all her friends that applied got in. She’ll be devastated if she’s rejected. I guess we all have life lessons to learn.</p>

<p>When you click on financial aid letter (or award) it takes you to a new page where there is a pull down menu (white box) that asks you to choose the year. Did you choose 2013-2014?</p>

<p>I also noticed new fields that popped up in the “My Documents” link that showed financial aid and date sent, along with document requirements for parent and student loan verification. Same page as the status updates for grades, transcripts, etc.</p>

<p>FA is income based, merit is grade and accomplishment based, hence we’re hoping a second letter for merit is in her admissions packet.</p>

<p>The most important link is the one that says new student orientation. Did you see that link on the WebAdvisor? It’s in the second section labeled “Communications” above the links for “My Documents” and “Email my Advisors”.</p>

<p>I did see on another thread that there is a nation wide delay in processing tax forms (thanks Congress - grumble, grumble). It is causing the FAFSA to be delayed and millions of families aren’t getting their award letters yet. We filled ours out at the end of January, but had to update once the tax forms were completed. That might be part of the delay? </p>

<p>[FAFSA</a>, Tax Return Delays Could Slow College Enrollment Decisions - Forbes](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/03/19/fafsa-tax-return-delays-could-slow-college-enrollment-decisions/]FAFSA”>FAFSA, Tax Return Delays Could Slow College Enrollment Decisions)</p>

<p>There are also major-specific merit awards that come separately, weeks later. My S received one of those from Chapman last year, and it was additional to his merit award that came in the packet.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>There is a link to “New Student Orientation” under the Communications.</p>

<p>I’m too scared to be too optimistic. If Chapman doesn’t work, my D will probably go to Denver and that’s too far away for me. (I’m just not mature enough for her to be that far away from home!)</p>

<p>You ladies are just amazing and so gracious. I know our children would be great friends at school!
Thanks again.
Linda</p>

<p>Just echoing others, my D’s merit award came with the admissions packet and she also received a Chapman grant in her financial aid packet. We are going to have a tough time paying even with a decent award (which did include several loans) so it really will be decision time in April!</p>

<p>Congrats @LindaRue!</p>

<p>Yes, Lindarue, it sounds like D is in. You are probably A-ok. :)</p>

<p>where did you guys get your username and password? I can’t remember and so I can’t sign into my account. :/</p>

<p>I think my daughter received hers via regular mail during the application phase. At least that’s what follow up emails have implied. To my knowledge they won’t give that information out over the phone or via email - probably to limit fraud.</p>

<p>Thanks @Exie, I’ll go search through my mail to see if I can find anything…</p>

<p>Be careful with your expectations. New Student Orientation is there for all applicants - not an indication of acceptance.</p>

<p>I think the only real guarantee would be if you can see a financial award letter.</p>

<p>I sure hope not. It shouldn’t be there if a student is going to be rejected. That would be extremely cruel since the page leads directly to a Welcome page and instructions for orientation. I would be so disappointed in a school that does not consider the ramifications of that link. It would be so simple to bury it and simply email it to admitted students after the letters are sent.</p>

<p>LindaRue - I so, so apologize if I jumped the gun.</p>

<p>My D had New Student Orientation link on her Web Advisor for quite awhile. Goes to the standard web page with info on the Orientation. She was not accepted.</p>

<p>If your New Student Orientation link goes to something where you can actually sign up for orientation - that’s a different story.</p>

<p>Update - My D was waitlisted! She was devastated until she realized that the letter wasn’t a total rejection and said she would be admitted for the spring semester. I guess there are a certain number of freshman who don’t return after break? She’ll take courses for the first semester at our local community college that the Chapman advisors recommend.</p>

<p>She’s bummed that she won’t have the full freshman orientation experience, but she’ll live with it as long as she can attend Chapman!</p>

<p>You have all been so helpful and encouraging. I wish you and your children all the best.</p>

<p>So happy for you, LindaRue! Congrats!</p>

<p>Yes, glad to hear this, Lindarue.
Some college admission letters ‘bury the lead,’ as my journalist husband would say. This is especially true with waitlist and spring admission decisions. The kids can be in such a state when they open the letters–wish they just started off with the decision noted at the top in HUGE bold lettering. </p>

<p>Very happy for your D. She will be able to join her friends at Chapman in spring. This should save some tuition money, too.</p>