<p>Thanks for the clarifications in this thread about need-based and merit scholarships at Chicago.</p>
<p>I realize that there may be more to come. The letter received today said that Financial Aid should follow in about ten days. Son is also a NMF which means there is a whopping $1000 still to come. We will nor qualify for much if any need based aid. EFC is $27600 for this son and we have an older son in college (rising junior).<br>
We won't rule U of C out until after the FA package comes. Son has other offers from schools just as desirable with much higher merit awards.<br>
So we wait......</p>
<p>
[quote]
It's in a separate package and was mailed Wednesday.
[/quote]
They're in the same package. Well, the merit letter is in a separate folder, but in the same envelope.</p>
<p>I believe the merit awards are determined by a special committee largely composed of U of C faculty. There are 20 Honors scholarships that pay full tuition, and 100 University scholarships that pay about $10,000 per year (all of these are for four years). These awards are not "on top of" FA. The FA award is recalculated in the context of the merit award. Student contributions, loans, etc. can be replaced by the award, so there may be a small "additive" effect from the student's point of view.</p>
<p>Chronicidal,
I was thinking the scholarship letters were a separate mailing because I wasn't thinking RD. There will be a separate mialing for FA. Sorry if I was confusing.</p>