<p>My S is what I would consider an outstanding student (he is mine, after all!). He has ACT 35, #1 in his class, 4.4 w GPA, extensive varsity sports with captain. However, when I look at the Samford Scholarships they have two big ones - one based on leadership and one called University Fellows. This one has assorted boxes to check like Class officer, student council, etc. He can only check 2-3 of those boxes! On the University Fellows award, they seem to be looking for the intellectual type who wants to conduct undergraduate research! He will apply to both, but I wonder if anyone has experience with these and what advice you can pass along in finishing these applications.</p>
<p>@Simonkuang, OP actually did mean Samford, based on the scholarship description given. </p>
<p>Schools offer merit scholarships to attract the type of people that they want. So some offer scholarships to draw high academic achievers, and others for leadership or community service.</p>
<p>Is he looking at other schools that will provide guaranteed scholarships for specific GPA and test scores? Many outstanding students who have less than wealthy parents need to look at a number of schools to find the best school for them, which isn’t always (some might say is rarely) the first choice school.</p>
<p>Yes he has a good list with lots of options and Samford isn’t his first choice, so we will just see. </p>
<p>One of my son’s classmates was awarded that top leadership award, which was a full ride (at least it was back then). </p>
<p>She had quite an impressive resume of ECs, leadership, and sports. However, she didn’t have an ACT 35…more likely around a 32 or 33.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information @mom2collegkids! I will just have to see how the process plays out. </p>
<p>My son submitted his scholarship application and I will say I thought his essay nailed it! Now, more waiting!!</p>
Well, my son has been invited to interview for the University Fellows Scholarship, so this is good news!
@deborahb Did your son end up receiving the University Fellows Scholarship? If so, is he seriously considering attending Samford?
Yes, he did! It is one of his top choices! He is waiting to hear on some big scholarships from two other schools. I am hoping he will hear within the week on those. How about you or your son or daughter?
My daughter has been accepted and has several scholarships from Samford. We have not heard back from fafsa. I understand they send out a “final package” that will have that and possibly more aid? Her campus rep has told her that this “final package” should help.
Just wondering how much more we may get. We are now at 12k per year in scholarships but still need more to make this possible. Our EFC is almost 15k. But we have 2 in college. Anyone know when the “final package” comes and does it only address FAFSA needs or is there any additional? My D loves Samford and I would love for her to go but we really need the aid. Any information anyone?
I think the final package is supposed to be everything. Then you have what you need to make a decision. I am feeling that we will get this information any day now. I think someone said mid-March at some point, but this is fuzzy in my mind, so I could have this wrong.
@deborahb My D’s situation sounds very similar to your son’s. Good luck with your decision-making!
Prayers going up for all “our” kids! 
@deborahb I saw over on the Rice forum that your son was accepted there. So was my D! I’m curious as to whether Samford’s University Fellows program is still in the running for your son’s final college choice. We are conflicted, as D has several options (including a full ride at a regional college in FL), but none that we are fully happy with. Unfortunately, Rice’s financial aid offer was lower than we were hoping for . . .
@MrSamford2014 - I sent you a PM.
I am new to this forum and just now beginning the college process for child #2, but stumbled upon your thread here when searching for info about Samford. My son has this school on his list. He made a 28 on his ACT and a 1250 on his SAT (he will be a senior this year and college freshman a year from this fall). Thus we will begin college applications later this summer. I’m not sure what his gpa is because his high school does it on a 6.0 scale and I am not clear what it reduces to on a 4.0 scale. He is active in Student Council (executive member, this year will be treasurer), and is a 4 year member of the high school baseball team. Also very active in our church, having gone on many mission trips over the years. He did tour the university about 6 weeks ago and liked it but had some concern it was a little bit on the small side, as it is smaller than his current high school. My question is – what scholarships, if any, might be available to a student with his “resume”? He is also considering Auburn, where his sister currently attends, and some schools in Texas (where we are residents). Any help any of you could provide with how the process at Samford generally works, or what your opinion of financial help he may qualify for, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, and best of luck to all of your children in landing where they are supposed to be to grow and continue on the journey God has laid before them!
You should start your own thread rather than piggyback on an old one.
I am probably not the only person who thought this was Stanford in California with a typo, but I hit a google and discovered a Christian college in Alabama by that name!
Check out the Presidential Scholarship at Samford. If he qualifies it is around $18k per year. If he is wanting a small school in the south and loves the outdoors and nature have a look at Berry College. DD (3rd in college) got a very generous package from them and will be attending this fall.