over-using CC, i know, but question about merit aid

<p>Does applying ED kill my shot at merit aid?
And also, do you think things like great interview and extra-curriculars factor into merit aid decisions?</p>

<p>Last year I was told by someone in either the admissions office or financial aid office (can't remember which office) that merit aid is determined by the same criterian used in deciding whether or not to admit a student. From those factors they decide who they feel are the top 10% or so of those whom they offered admission and give merit aid to those students.</p>

<p>As to whether ED hinders receiving merit aid I can't say. There is a difference of opinion on the issue.</p>

<p>My son applied ED I and received generous Merit Aid. We were explicitly told by the Admissions office that they did not want to penalize students who applied ED by reducing their Merit Aid, because we were concerned about this as well.</p>

<p>I can only guess about the great interview/ECs, but I will mention interviewer at Grinnell told S that high test scores were a component of the Merit Aid decision. </p>

<p>Of course, if you apply regular decision and get Merit and financial aid offers at more than one institutions, you are in a better position to request/negotiate an increase: Schools will sometimes sweeten an offer if they know you would prefer to attend their school but have a better offer elsewhere. Neighbor's S negotiated successfully with a top university using this approach.</p>

<p>Grinnell looks at what they believe you will add to the school's commmunity, but my impression is that standardized test scores weigh heavily in the decision. About 32% of last year's first year class got merit aid. I think the average merit award was $9,000 and Trustee Honor Scholarships range from $2000 to $15000. Grinnell will be indexing these awards for increases in tuition. You must maintain a 2.75 GPA for renewal. You can get a merit scholarship with an "average" standardized test score (i.e. a 31 ACT), but it will be relatively small ($2,000-5,000) and I'm guessing you would need excellent grades and ECs.
One downside of getting a small merit award is that if you get any merit aid, you cannot take advantage of the tuition stabilization plan, which allows you to prepay future years' tuition at the current rate. I'm not sure why they do this--it seems like it would be pretty easy to let you prepay a percentage of future years' tuition on the assumption that your merit award would be renewed, and if it's not renewed, let you pay the remainder at the higher rate.</p>

<p>Thank you guys so much! What great responses!
Do you think SAT II's could factor in AT ALL?</p>

<p>I would have to guess they would factor in SAT IIs, though I don't know for sure.</p>

<p>My son got the full $15,000 per year and it was, as they promised, increased this year to cover the tuition increase. Love this school!</p>

<p>I don't know how they determine it, but I have a $10,000/year Trustee Honor Scholarship with a 31 ACT and approx 3.6-3.7 GPA. My essays were good and my interview went very well. I don't think they determine it only from your standardized test scores.</p>