<p>How is UMich with merit aid for OOS students?</p>
<p>I have family in neighboring Lansing and Detroit, so UMich is a top option for me. I'm half-Latino, half-Arab, and I hail from the great state of Louisiana (note the sarcasm, lol). I have above-average academics for UMich (2250 SAT, 3.95 UW GPA, top 5% of class, National Merit Finalist), but I'm not a genius. Basically, I'm wondering how hard it would be to get a merit scholarship of $10,000 or more (annual, renewable 4 years) at UMich, preferably $15K or more. I'd greatly appreciate it if anyone could help me out. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey I really want to know too! And decrescendo, my statistics are similar to yours (Asian, applying OOS, GPA = 5.357 based on a standard of 5, Class Rank = 2/428, ACT = 33, SAT II Math = 800, SAT II Chem = 800,…) but not National Merit Finalist, sadly. Standardized tests aren’t my strong point. But yeah, U of M is my top choice but my parents won’t let me go if I don’t receive sufficient money from scholarships. And sorry that I’m kind of intruding on your thread decrescendo, but it would be great if someone could help us out! Thanks!</p>
<p>very hard. I say good luck getting anything. Michigan is harder to get OOS money than other Big Ten schools, like Illinois. I can only talk form personal experince though. Illinois offered me money but Michigan did not. So take that for what its worth.</p>
<p>I am also pretty sure you need a 34 ACT before you are even considered for merit</p>
<p>Lol, it’s cool! UM isn’t my first choice (Rice is), but was still a biggie for me. I still can’t believe you need a 34 ACT to be considered for OOS merit… that’s ridiculous lol. I mean, is it even worth applying? I can’t go unless I get some merit money.</p>
<p>That’s what I heard, again I could be wrong. I think its just cuz so many kids apply to the University with great scores that they need to cut the list down somewhere</p>
<p>I had pretty similar stats (also a finalist), and didn’t receive any aid, jfyi. However, my family was expected to pay the full tuition according to the fin. aid docs I completed. I wouldn’t expect much from UMich unless you have <tuition EFC.</p>
<p>Is getting merit aid as an international harder than OOS or are the two sort of pooled together when it comes to merit aid? I have 2300, rank of 1/340, 4.0 but I don’t know if that’s good enough. square on this forum said I’d have a shot when I posted my chance thread before but I don’t know because others said it would be super hard. </p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as the two above posters. I’d love some merit aid.</p>
<p>This isn’t true. There is no hard stats requirement in order to qualify for merit aid. Merit aid for OOS is often given to students that don’t have extremely high scores, but stand out in some other way.</p>
<p>However, the total amount of merit aid given to OOS students is pretty small compared to the total OOS student population, so a student would have to stand out in some way. But stats is only one of the possible ways.</p>
<p>My stats are above-average but not spectacular, as I mentioned previously. How could I “stand out in some way”? I’ve got heavy EC involvement, including having written a full length novel, being President of two clubs and Swim captain and Debate captain. Do those things help? Also, does my Latino heritage help me? (My mom lived in Venezuela from birth until the age of 18, before moving to the US). Sorry to ask so many questions… I just need to know if it’s worth applying or not.</p>
<p>^No notification yet, but Louisiana’s cutoff is quite low (207 last year, I believe), and my score is a lot higher, so I sort of made an assumption.</p>
<p>It seems many people are in the same predicament as I am… lol.</p>
<p>decrescendo, I think your stats and your Latino background (making you an URM) puts you in a decent position for merit aid. Your chances are not great, but they aren’t badeither. Apply ASAP!</p>
<p>“Is getting merit aid as an international harder than OOS or are the two sort of pooled together when it comes to merit aid? I have 2300, rank of 1/340, 4.0 but I don’t know if that’s good enough.”</p>
<p>ViggyRam, even though your stats are certainly good enough, Michigan does not give any sort of aid to international students.</p>
<p>^YES! Thanks for reinsipiring me! Lol. Since the super moderator said so, I’m going to apply and keep my fingers crossed. It would need to be substantial merit money for me to go, though. But thanks Alexandre! :D</p>
<p>oh you’re right. I remember saying that at orientation about no aid for international students. It makes sense, I mean if you can afford to come to another country for college you probably don’t need financial aid. Or maybe its for another reason</p>
<p>Decrescendo, just so you know, my son (although in state) did not have stellar stats (eg. not consistently strong across the board, lower than normal gpa) - lower than yours but did really stand out in other ways (not unlike some things you mentioned) and had fab recs from a gifted-talented school and a few quasi-professional achievements/regional awards etc.-- and he received the kind of merit money you’re looking for – SO ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE. </p>
<p>That said, it’s important to determine your EFC – expected family contribution – regardless and be prepared to be looking at about $48,000 a year in expense. If you have a lower expected family contribution based on your parent’s income, you will have a better chance at grant money, so even if you do not receive merit you can still receive a generous package.</p>
<p>Lastly, you mentioned relatives in lansing and detroit. I will warn you in advance that by living with them there is no way that UMich will ever qualify you for in-state fees. You will always be OOS to the registrar under those circumstances, and Michigan is not like other schools that after a year or two of residency will grant you instate tuition. That’s why you’re looking at $48k/yr every year, etc.</p>
<p>Good luck though! You never know unless you try!</p>
How is this information pertinent to the OPs question concerning OOS FA? The FA standards for in-state students are no where near those for OOS and cannot be used for comparison or reassurance.</p>
<p>It is pertinent because it demonstrates that UMich is holistic in its calculation/selection for merit overall. Meaning it is not entirely stats driven, or my son would not have received merit.</p>
<p>Further, several Out of State students posted on this thread over the last two years that they had received the same scholarship. Some Out of State students without ‘perfect’ or even ‘mind blowing’ stats posted their financial aid packages over in the Fin Aid thread over the last two years. In some cases there were grants well in excess of $25,000. Other OOS students have (surprisingly) complained about having to come up with $10,000 or more toward their $48k packages. </p>
<p>That said, I do not wish the poster to assume that his aid – if given – will be as generous as an in-state resident would receive. Nor can he assume that Michigan would be anywhere near as generous as a private school that meets need or an in-state option. If his parents have an income that would give them a $40,000 EFC, then he is not likely to get more than the standard $5500 in fed loans.</p>
<p>However, I don’t think the poster should be DISCOURAGED from applying because if he doesn’t he will never know. Further, I think the poster should be ENCOURAGED to be assessing his family’s EFC and having conversations about money NOW, not at the 11th hour.</p>
<p>One more thing:
This is the type of accomplishment (particularly the novel and debate) that can and does make a student stand out.
Louisiana may also be a demographically underrepresented area for UMich, which would enhance his chance at a Michigan Experience scholarship ($10 k in-state, I believe $20 k OOS). Note I said <em>MAY</em>. I do not know more than that UMich has identified geographically underrepresented areas and does tend to give more merit to same.</p>
But yeah, U of M is my top choice but my parents won’t let me go if I don’t receive sufficient money from scholarships. And sorry that I’m kind of intruding on your thread decrescendo, but it would be great if someone could help us out! Thanks!</p>