<p>Can someone tell me what the criteria are for merit scholarships? What SAT score and GPA do you have and what type of scholarship were you awarded?</p>
<p>With the exception of this program [Welcome</a> to the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program |Welcome to the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program](<a href=“http://hesburgh-yusko.org/]Welcome”>http://hesburgh-yusko.org/),
all of Notre Dame’s financial aid is need-based.</p>
<p>There are 2 other merit-based programs mentioned on nd.edu, but very limited availability.</p>
<p>Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Leadership Scholars Program
Suzanne and Walter Scott Notre Dame Scholars Program</p>
<p>These seem to be a combination of academics and leadership or service. As far as GPA or test scores, I doubt they can be awarded solely on those criteria because there are too many students with high scores applying and admitted. </p>
<p>As far as how the students are selected, I don’t know. Since every applicant is potentially eligible, I am sure there are many qualified students who are never even reviewed for these scholarships. Too many applications for them to notice every deserving student. </p>
<p>My DD did not receive any merit aid with a 35, 1530/2330, 2nd in class, National Merit Finalist, tons of EC and leadership in a variety of activities, some appointed, some elected.</p>
<p>I agree with 1irish1. The merit scholarships are awarded based on far more than excpetional academics. ND will have dozens (maybe hundreds?) of valedictorians with perfect test scores apply, and many more with nearly perfect stats. Leadership and service do seem to be two consistent themes.</p>
<p>DS was accepted with 34 ACT, 3.9 UW GPA, three sport varsity athlete (captain of one), National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, etc. However, he was not even a semifinalist for HY Scholar.</p>
<p>If Notre Dame is high on your list, be sure to apply early so that you can be considered for their merit scholarships. However, no one should expect to be awarded these - there is simply too much high level competition.</p>
<p>I believe each local ND club offers some form of scholarship. Our club required an additional scholarship application (the club contacted us by phone to outline the procedure). Many local ND club scholarships are awarded based off of your ND Admissions application and require no additional application.
If you visit your local ND club website there should be info available to give you an idea of how it is handled in your area. But, even though the students are selected based on merit you cannot receive a financial award without having demonstrated need.</p>
<p>I am a current freshman at Notre Dame on merit scholarship. This years class had 42 students with a perfect SAT or ACT (I was not one of them) so that is not the only criteria. I received the Suzanne and Walter Scott Notre Dame Scholars Program award, and was a semifinalist for the Hesburgh Yusko. Notre Dame looks for great academics, but you must also have tons of VOLUNTEER work. Everyone at Notre Dame (over 70%) was a high school varsity athlete. You need to show them that you care about the world around you. After they identify you, the application becomes even tougher and more competative. The Scholars Program I received was given out to 5 students, although they asked around 90 to apply. I could go on for a long time about all the technical details, but just keep your head up and know that it is possible. I am no superhuman and haven’t raised millions of dollars for children in Africa, but I do have a few things I am truly proud of, and focused my application only around those events. Its great that you did them, but don’t include every 2 hour event you volunteered for in your life. Email me with any questions you might have I’ll be glad to help. Go Irish!</p>
<p>Hi NDomer and all,
My daughter is very interested in ND. I’ve just created an account and would like to ask you two questions:
- Did you do the Early Action? I heard that the EA is kind of pre-requisite for ND merit scholarship.
- The merit scholarship should have nothing to do the family financial situation, right?</p>
<p>I look forward to your reply soon. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m also on merit aid at ND—for the Notre Dame Scholars Program, at least, there’s no requirement to apply EA (they actually asked me to apply for the program before they told me I got into the school…). The Hesburgh Yusko says on their site that there’s no need to apply early. I don’t know about Stamps, though.</p>
<p>Of course, standard advice about EA applies—it can signal greater interest in the school, etc.</p>
<p>As far as I’m aware, they don’t take the financial situation into account.</p>
<p>David100, Sorry for the late reply. I did apply early action, and I would definitely recommend doing so. If nothing else, it raises your chances of getting in. And no, there is no financial requirement. The merit aid program is also expanding. Last year, there were about ten merit scholarship recipients in the freshman class (plus the 25 hesburgh-yusko scholars), but this year has around 50 merit recipients + yusko. New programs are being added as of this current year (Notre Dame Scholars and Scott Scholars are now different with about eight-ten offerings each). I even know a few people who even recieved full scholarships (two african-scholars and the Stamps Scholars). In that sense, the chances are rising for getting aid; however, there are still very few recipients compared to the large incoming classes.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information, NDomer and ca_condor. You both mentioned finding out before EA notifications. We are all finding out whether we got in or not for EA now. Has anyone received notice for these merit scholarship programs yet?</p>