Northeastern Merit Scholarships

Hi-

My daughter will be applying to Northeastern ED in the fall. From what I read on the school’s website, all students applying are considered for merit scholarships and the top 10-15% actually get anywhere from $10,000-$30,000 in scholarships. But my question is… if you’re applying ED it’s obviously your number choice. So when the scholarship is offered do you basically take whatever is offered ? I know any amount is extremely generous and anyone should be very grateful. I’m just wondering what the incentive is for the school to offer this kind of aid to kids applying ED since they’re locked in if they’re accepted. Hope that all makes sense and thanks in advance for the feedback.

@RonaldP66 Hi there! NU student here, and I applied to NU ED nearly 3 years ago. I also work for undergraduate admissions. You are correct that students are automatically considered for all merit-based scholarships, and generally, the top 10-15% of the class receive some merit aid. From what I have heard, students applying ED may get less aid, for exactly the reason you mentioned, that they’re locked into coming to NU regardless of how much financial/merit aid they get. So, it’s important to consider whether NU is the right fit not only academically and socially, but also financially.
It may be good to know too that there are ways to mitigate the cost of NU. While on co-op, students make money, and many use their co-op money to pay for their housing or even part of tuition. There are also various jobs you can work on campus, and you could become a Resident Assistant who lives in the residence halls and acts as a resource for students. RA’s receive free housing and meals.
Hope this helps!

Definitely helps. Thanks. While l got your attention I have another question since you said you work with undergraduate admissions. My daughter’s first choice is obviously NU. She’s really into ASL (Sign Language), taught herself, and started a club at bother middle school and high school. This week she was the guest on a Podcast where she was asked about her social media following (116k followers) pertaining to ASL as well as other interests of hers like Astrology. Is this something that would appeal to the admissions people and is there a place you send an audio link on the application ? Thanks again

he top 10-15% actually get anywhere from $10,000-$30,000 in scholarships.<<<<<<<

      My DS (no financial need) applied/admitted in 2015, he had top a 1% ACT score, IB diploma, AP everything, >3.9 gpa (engineering applicant though)  and he was offered 10K that didn't even start until his sophomore year LOL. That was when NEU was not doing the FA they do now, so don't imagine the merit money really is that simple. NEU may well admit widely in the Covid era so make sure your kid understands financial constraints. Be wary of oversell of co ops and RA positions for sure. Co ops may not even exist for many of the students. 

My son (Class of 24) got $7,500 per semester merit aid starting in first year, not eligible for need-based aid. GPA 4.75 W, 4.0 UW, top 2% ACT, 5 APs, including BC Calculus. Did not qualify for NU’s Honors College, so I don’t know what those kids stats are. From the Parents FB group (which I recommend if your daughter enrolls) some students’ co-ops fell through but others are now remote and some are going on as usual. Hopefully the job market improves as the COVID-19 situation improves.

Was he ED?

My DD applied EA, not ED. No financial need. ACT 36, 4.0UW, NMF, lots of other stuff.

Originally received the honors scholarship for $30,000 per year and was then upgraded to the NMF scholarship for $35,000 per year the NMSF went to NMF.

Originally applied for business/math but recently switched to data science. She’s very excited to start in the fall!