Merit Scholarships & Request to certify not interested in Financial Aid

<p>A few days ago, my child received a letter from Financial Aid, stating that they wanted to be sure she wasn't interested in financial aid, and offering to still consider her application for it. This was odd, because my child had not indicated financial aid interest (I checked her Common App to be sure she didn't check a wrong box). When we called, she was asked to send an e-mail confirming that she didn't want Financial Aid... Anyone else have a similar experience?</p>

<p>Also, I want to confirm my understanding that the only merit aid available is for those in Pennsylvania (we live in the Midwest)...In other words, that we didn't blow a (however small) chance of a merit scholarship by not filling out those financial aid forms. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>See this thread:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/284485-mccabe-scholarship.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/284485-mccabe-scholarship.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The only merit aid is the Regional McCabe scholarship, which is open to students from 3 counties in SouthEastern Pennsylvania and the Delmarva Peninsula.</p>

<p>If they provided true merit aid at Swarthmore, they'd have to give it to everyone.</p>

<p>The McCabe Scholarship was founded/funded by Tom McCabe, of Scott Paper and the Library. He was the Eugene Lang of Swarthmore before Eugene Lang.</p>