Merit Scholarships?

Prep School Admissions
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<p>Ok, I have a problem. My family is mid-upper middle class finacially and "technically" my parents could afford to send me to boarding school. But that would also mean my brother and sister would have to give up their activities- my sister is a national level ice dancer and my brother is on a traveling soccer team- and they aren't quite ready to do so. My sister was accepted to Columbia but was unable to attend because we didn't recieve enough FA and they didn't offer merit but that is another story....</p>

<p>So I was wondering about merit scholarships:
Is it possible to recieve one as a ninth grade repeat?
What are some schools that offer merit scholarships?
Can merit scholarships partially be based on need- say I was accepted for one but it wasn't as large as someone who's income was under 60,000 a year?</p>

<p>I will be applying to some schools that offer only FA just in case, but I would really appreciate info about merit scholarships.</p>

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<p>merit is as merit does – if your parents make 60K or 600K if you are getting merit, then the income level shouldnt matter. Have your parents look at the financial application carefully – BS, unlike colleges, will take consistent payments made for other children into consideration.</p>

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<p>Thanks! I will definately be applying to some upper tier schools that offer a lot of finicial aid. Do you know some schools that offer merit aid?</p>

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<p>This was a good but short thread posted earlier this year. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/631220-scholarship-opportunities.html?highlight=merit+scholarships[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/631220-scholarship-opportunities.html?highlight=merit+scholarships&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I have to tell you that I think the 2013 (rising 9) kids spoke pretty freely about their parents’ incomes, stats as students and FA received in this forum. You can search and see what you learn (that is what we did).</p>

<p>My daughter did get a merit scholarship (10,000), but I think it is pretty rare to see 40,000 + in merit aid to BS. After reading and sharing information with other posters last “season,” it does seem that if a single (I mean totally solo parent) or parents make less than 75, it seems like top candidates can get the entire cost covered (when they want you—they seem to pursue you on March 10). For similar students in the 100 range, about 75-80% in aide (this was our category). For similar kids with a parent or parents who make 150, maybe 50%. Over this number…I have not heard of many getting significant help.</p>

<p>I am not sure 10,000 would help you, but it seems that Peddie gives out at least 2 (another girl wrote in that she received one)- maybe 4 –maybe more ??? There is one full scholarship at Peddie that is not based on need–but it goes to a student who has been a major force inside of a charity, etc. Peddie might give 1 in a year. This is the kind of kid who ends up on the Today Show for his or her efforts.</p>

<p>I have got to say that reality is required for some of this—M10 is a long time away and time gets slower and slower the closer you get—it gets kind of dramatic for a lot of the kids on this site—but reality should not be a deterrent—you can’t make it happen if you don’t give it a try.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

5

<p>Portsmouth Abbey offers full, merit scholarships each year. They are hard to come by, but they are awarded annually to a few new students. Check their website.</p>

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<p>Most of the merit scholarships, like Portsmouth Abbey or Pennington are used by the school to attract some “top tier” types to their school. So you need to be above 90%, mostly A’s, lots of great things that would get you into a Hotchkiss, Exeter, etc type of school. But then you would have to turn them down for the merit scholarship. </p>

<p>I had a student who got the Pennington scholarship, but got into Lawrenceville and Andover, and ultimately family members pooled resources for him to go to Andover and he turned down the scholarship. So my point is that merit scholarships are not easy to come by, and are not offered at top tier schools (since their mission is to use all aid money for those with financial need)</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the great posts!!!</p>

<p>I am checking out the scholarships right now. I am definately applying, it will be better to try then to miss out on these great oppurtunities.</p>

<p>I was wondering, does my chance for a merit scholarship decrease if I apply for 10th grade or maybe as a 9th grade repeat? Can you recieve a merit scholarship and FA? Or is it just one or the other? </p>

<p>Also, I have straight A’s, am a one of the top athletes in my sport (nationally) play three instruments winning numerous awards as well as many math and science awards. (my prinicipal worships me because I earned so much money for our school, lol) I started a program in my city that collects worn flags which I then gather and led seminars with boy scouts and girl scouts in my city, but that is really Today show newsworthy is it? </p>

<p>I won’t give out too many details, but I think that I might have a chance at a top boarding school? But do they want something more unique for a merit scholarship?</p>

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<p>I can’t seem to find anything about scholarships to Pennington? Do you know if they still exist? I guess I will have to email the school…</p>

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<p>Culver Academy and Kent offer merit scholarships.</p>

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<p>Its so sad that incredible people who are accepted into great schools cant attend because of something like money. im pretty low income, so it doesnt affect me, but it sucks sooooo much for the people it does affect. I guess its only good to be super rich or super poor.</p>