<p>My parents are hooked on financing. They're interested in anything merit, and especially grants, considering I can always fall back on the local so-so private for a full ride. Sooo I'm looking to convince them on Tufts with its money, but what does the financial scene look like? I noticed they offer nat'l merit scholarships, but anywhere from 500 to 2000 only. Also, how hard is it to receive a Hargens fellowship? I'm in love with Tufts and am leaning ED, but am really worried about not being able to compare costs.</p>
<p>Call up the financial aid office. They can probably give you a guesstimate of what it will cost - but be prepared to give out a lot of information, such as equity in home, stocks, how much you made, etc. Also, it will be a guesstimate. </p>
<p>If that fails, note in your RD application that you would have applied ED but for the need to compare financial aid offers.</p>
<p>Finally - if your family makes between $100k and $150k/year, you'll have the worst time paying for Tufts. Above that, your family could probably swing the full cost; below that, they give out good financial aid.</p>
<p>i have a sinking feeling that we're smack dab in the middle of that bracket, but i'll definitely advise my parents to call up tufts FA nonetheless.
thanks for your help!</p>
<p>If Tufts offers merit aid, it's news to me. I thought they didn't offer any. Tufts is pretty good about offering loans to people, which is the only way I'm getting through. I would definitely call the financial aid people and talk to them about this. Good luck!</p>
<p>It's not really "merit" aid, it just happens to be private scholarships from alumni that are trying to recruit specific students that meet certain criteria. From that aspect, I suppose it CAN be considered merit, but not by the traditional definition.</p>