I read that some people here got full ride scholarships to Montclair State. Did you submit your SAT scores (Montclair is test-optional)? What were your stats?
Thank You,
aloskor
Are you sure they’re talking about merit scholarships? That is a NJ public. These students may have gotten a combo of merit, Pell, and NJ state aid. And, sometimes kids will wrongly call a full tuition scholarship, a free ride.
I’m not sure what they meant by “free ride”. Maybe they used the wrong word. I understand that a free ride is tuition, room, board, and even possibly a small stipend is financially provided, while full tuition is just tuition. Is it possible to get a “free ride” (in its correct definition) to a public university such as Montclair State?
Is it possible? Of course. Is it likely to get a free ride, totally everything covered? Not as lump sum, but it can be done through a string of awards. Merit, talent (Montclair gives some good theater scholarships), Pell grants, NJ grants, maybe an outside scholarship or two. A lot just depends on the grades and scores, the family’s financial situation to qualify for need grants.
At my daughter’s school, there is one full ride scholarship given out every year. One. There are a lot of students who have all their costs covered starting with the the school’s merit award (from 1/4 to over 1/2 tuition), other grants from the school for athletics, special projects, being a sibling or legacy, department awards. Then there are need based grants, grants and scholarships from the state, Pell and SEOG from the federal government, outside scholarships from engineering societies, American Legion, ROTC, work study, RA positions. All outside grants and most internal ones stack.
Most scholarships would require you to submit test scores, even at a ‘no scores required’ school. Ask the people who got these scholarships what was required. Ask the school.
I know MANY Montclair students, I’ve never heard of anyone receiving full ride.
I’m sure it’s possible, with grants & scholarships, but I don’t think Montclair itself does it.
If you’re in the top 15% of your class, you should check out NJ Stars. You’d have to attend your CC first, though.
A few years ago Rutgers used to have 90 full rides (Tuition+R+B). They even published the recipients list on their web site. Not sure what is going on with these full rides but they still offer merit to instate students.