<p>We are a middle class family who makes $1 too much for financial aid. My DS attends Ohio State on a full-merit scolarships so there are scholarships for middle-class students. In fact my DS received $750K in merit rides from various colleges the year he applied. He was not valedictorian and his SAT was not over 2000. He applied to schools where he was an attractive applicant. His full ride was a combination of 3 scholarships from OSU (buckeye; morrill and provost). I do not know if they let you stack them this year like they did his year. I know there were some comments along the line of the middle class do not get scholarships so I wanted to let you know of our experience at Ohio State. My DS and I will be eternally grateful to OSU for their generosity and will for sure pay it forward. My son loves OSU and will graduate in May. </p>
<p>Honeymelon, I think I understand what you were trying to say, or at least assume that you mean it’s concerning aid or scholarships that are financially based. And, I’ll be honest, I have to agree to some extent. I work with students in several school districts and I do see this occur time and time again, with the “middle class” boys in particular (the girls often have more scholarship opportunities for which they qualify). Please no flaming, I’m speaking of course only in terms of what I’ve experienced in the area where I live which has many colleges, and also about financial-based aid, not merit.</p>
<p>That being said, OSU has really made an effort to expand their aid the past couple of years because they were losing many “middle class” Ohio kids who were great students to the many other schools in Ohio. One in particular that I’ve noticed is the Scarlet and Gray grant, which was expanded quite a bit to encompass many of those kids who fall within typical “middle class” numbers. That has really helped so many of my kids who don’t qualify for any other aid except loans. (I still take issue with some of the Appalachian awards and how they are applied or awarded, but that’s another story. 
)</p>
<p>coming back from my interview i’ve confirmed that statistics like stellar test scores and titles like nat. merit scholars or whatever isn’t nearly as big a factor in the selection process as everyone might think. what they want is a quality essay that tells them what kind of person you are and what you have done in regards to diversity and inclusion (since it’s the odi that delivers the scholarship of course). the financial director even told me that he doesn’t even look at test scores and such cause they get so many overachiever students there’s no point. all that matters is the quality of your essay and whether you showed the depth of your character in said essay. </p>
<p>Hi… to add my $0.02, my daughter is as non-diverse ethnically speaking as you can imagine but she is the leadership unicorn and that came through in her essay. It’s not just about being diverse, it can be about how you will be an ambassador of diversity as a leader. She received an email on 2/7 saying she received the Excellence Scholarship and was being considered for the Distinction Scholarship. Received email on 2/14 to select an interview time and was interviewed on 2/20. This program is so exciting and the scholarship so helpful as we too are of that “middle class group who has to sell their house and soul to qualify for aid”. She is possibly class Valedictorian, ACT 27 and GPA is 4.58 on 4.0 scale due to honors and college PSEOP classes. Hope this helps encourage others who may not think they qualify to throw the Hail Mary pass. You never know! Good luck!</p>
<p>Has anyone gotten an email saying they did not get the scholarship yet?</p>
<p>Guys, I just got an email to interview for Distinction this Thursday or Friday!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!</p>
<p>Congrats icegems!! 
let us know how your interview goes</p>
<p>Did anyone in-state hear back yet? I wish they would just let us know, whether we were rejected or will receive the scholarship.</p>
<p>congrats icegems! Hope all goes well</p>
<p>@pine95apple - we are instate and haven’t heard anything.</p>
<p>congrats to icegems, thanks for letting us know. It helps to know that they are still contacting people for the higher awards. Wondering if anyone has received letter saying they did not receive award? </p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’ll let you know if I hear anything about further scholarship notifications :)</p>
<p>This Thursday and Friday is the last round of interviews for Distinction. My daughter was told that all who interviewed will be notified either way by early March. My guess is that the recipients will be getting phone calls and others will be notified via email. I doubt that anyone would be out of the running until all candidates are interviewed.</p>
<p>Congratulations-
It is great information because I would have thought that interviews were almost done. </p>
<p>How much longer do we have to be notified about the prominence for out of state? </p>
<p>@closetohome1 - the email we received said that decisions would be made from Jan - end of March. There was no indication of in state vs out of state. </p>
<p>I hope this helps those who are waiting for Morrill Scholarship. Last year my D applied on 12/10, was accepted on 12/31 and admitted into Honors with National Buckeye and Provost Awards. She applied for Morrill by writing an essay about her curiosity of what goes on inside our local juvenile hall and wanting to hear their stories and learn about all different kinds of people in the world. We are in a pretty high income bracket so it did not surprise me when she did not get a response until she received a letter on 4/1 stating that she was NOT selected for a Morrill Scholarship. Then on 4/18 she received an e-mail notifying her that her financial aid status had changed and when she looked, she had been given the Prominence Award!!! We were quite surprised. She received a confirmation/congratulations letter verifying the fact on 4/21. We think that she may have received it from someone who turned it down. So my point is, it is definitely not need-based and can happen even after you receive a denial letter. Keep hoping…</p>
<p>@centralcoaster that is great information for all of us still waiting to hear. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>I can second what CentralCoaster said. It did not happen to us but to some of my DD’s friends. If someone turns down the scholarships they will give it to the next in line. I also agree that the essays are the main component of the scholarships being awarded. </p>
<p>I attended a reception for admitted students and had the chance to speak to one of the financial aid representatives. I asked about the Morrill scholarships, specifically “in what order are they reviewed” and “have all the awards been made.” I was told that they are most likely reviewed in the order that they are received, and that approximately 75% of the awards have been made. Also, the rep stated all recipients should be notified by March 15 (at least that’s the goal). </p>
<p>I had my interview for the Distinction scholarship today! I wrote my essay about being gay (LGBT). I received the Prominence Scholarship on February 7th, 2014. I am quite nervous to hear back… I am not sure how well it went! I was so nervous. Does anyone know how soon they get back to you about the Distinction scholarship?</p>
<p>Thanks! I hope all of you get some sort of scholarship as well!</p>
<p>I have the same question as @nickireland7. I had my interview on the 28th as well, and am very curious as to what the final decision will be!</p>