<p>My daughter is a first-year student at Bucknell. She finished her first semester with a 3.9 gpa. She is a "non-scholarship" athlete and involved in several other extracurriculars. </p>
<p>We are currently paying the full $50k/year tuition, room and board. We will be applying for FA this year but according to EFC calculations we are not hopeful. Since her tuition money is tied up in the beaten down stock market, we are looking for other options so we don't have to take the money out at a loss which would result in not having enough money to pay the full 4 years of college expenses for her and her younger sister. She plans to apply for some jobs on campus but given her athletic schedule she is very limited. </p>
<p>Her stats, as an applicant, were average for Bucknell so she did not receive any merit $'s. </p>
<p>My question is, now that she has proven herself academically, athletically and as an overall positive contributor to her school, what are her chances of receiving merit/scholarship $'s.</p>
<p>If any other students or parents have been in this situation, I would really appreciate your insight and advice.</p>
<p>There are often department/major specific/named alumni endowed scholarships for matriculated students at numerous institutions. There are also some scholarships for college students (not entering freshman) available through places like Fastweb. </p>
<p>While I'm not familiar with Bucknell specifically, I'd suggest she contact the financial aid office and/or her department and request a list. Criteria are often institution or award specific, and may be automatic or require a student application process.</p>
<p>As for the athletic scholarship potential, I'd suggest she speak to her coach, the obvious place for knowledge as to if the pot can be sweetened. Of course, this would be a function of the sport, and the corresponding NCAA policies.</p>
<p>Personally, we benefited from this largesse with both of our "kids". Son's talent scholarship for music performance was substantially increased automatically each year by virtue of being at the top of his respective specialty. D gained smaller amounts by being at the top within her major.</p>
<p>One of the places to look is the school's undergrad handbook. Normally a link off the current students tab, it's typically a massive word or PDF file and details all institutional policies, including financial, academic and administrative. In some cases there is a school or college specific supplement as well, depending on the structure of the institution. Often, major/department specific scholarships and criteria are listed ONLY in the appropriate "School/College of Basketingweaving" supplement.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. While an athletic scholarship is not in the cards... there may be some department-specific scholarships she can explore. </p>
<p>What she is finding so frustrating is that she has several friends who received merit $'s who are not doing nearly as well as she is academically.</p>
<p>Some college students are finding success in using the same strategies that work for high school seniors: ie applying to other schools to transfer and using the leverage of a better offer to squeeze more aid. Here's a US News & World Report article I wrote about some students who have done that: How</a> to 'Leverage' Your Aid - US News and World Report. The last example in the story is a NYU freshman who ended up getting a very sweet package to transfer to Wharton.</p>