<p>Hello, I am a high school senior and I'm looking at a few women's colleges, but I'm not sure what kind of aid they offer? For me aid is very important. I know my parents can't afford full tuition at any of the schools I'm applying to, so I really need to start applying for scholarships. Smith is probably my favorite school, so if anyone knows scholarship opportunities specifically for Smith that would be great. I already know about STRIDE, but if there's another hidden scholarship for Smith let me know. Also, if there are any scholarships offered exclusively to all-girl schools that I should know about please post them below. Thank-you <3</p>
<p>I don’t know about any secret scholarships, but have you discussed with your parents what they’re willing/able to pay and have you used one of the online financial aid calculators to calculate what your EFC will most likely be? </p>
<p>Most of the women’s colleges offer generous need-based aid. I know that Smith meets 100% of your need (as they calculate it), and that people have been pretty happy with their aid packages. If you’re going to have to rely on merit aid, that will be harder. Many of the women’s colleges do have good merit aid, but do not offer a large number of these awards. </p>
<p>If you do get into Smith, one thing to consider might be joining ROTC at UMASS. That would be a way of getting a great scholarship in return for military service as an officer after you graduate. Not many Smithies do this, but some have in the past.</p>
<p>Well that’s good to know. I was worried Smith’s need based aid wouldn’t be fabulous due to Smith being a women’s college. I kind of assumed the Smith endowment would be lower than most schools. Thank-you for your EFC suggestion as well. I have not done that, but I’ll certainly get on it.</p>
<p>Look, amherst.edu site have a calculator for need that is very similar to what the other 4 colleges in the area use. Go check that out. =) And Smith is a full-need school and I know at least 3 people who got the full tuition + room and board + internship. If you get in STRIDE you are in even better hands.</p>
<p>If you are not focused on the NE, Scripps in CA offers multiple JES 1/2 tuition merit scholarships and I believe one full-ride. Scripps meets 100% need although I don’t think completely need-blind in admission (someone can correct me on this point). Like STRIDES, pretty high bar to clear for those.</p>
<p>Perhaps slightly off topic, but you should know that merit awards (unless full ride) will NOT decrease youe EFC: basically, loans will convert to grants, which is also of good value.</p>
<p>Just noticed you are a high school senior now, so the dice have been cast. Best wishes to you!</p>
<p>Smith’s endowment before the peak of the financial crisis was over $1 billion, which puts it in the very large endowment category, even though, like all schools, its endowment has shrunk temporarily. Eveyrone is making cutbacks right now, but Smith’s cutbacks are all aimed at preserving the financial aid budget, and so far they have been successful. </p>
<p>But it’s very important to find out what your EFC will be as soon as possible and to discuss frankly with your parents based on that what you should expect.</p>
<p>No women’s college is need-blind, unfortunately. =( Again, check out the EFC calculator link I sent.</p>
<p>No women’s college except for Wellesley, that is.</p>
<p>Well that’s good to know that Smith has preserved their financial aid in the recession. :o ) However, I didn’t realize students admission pended on that. In the admissions process do they reject applicants based on how much aid they need or just because their applying for aid? I said on my application that I was applying for aid… Hmmm? I wonder if that will hurt me? :o </p>
<p>It’s unlikely to hurt you. For Smith, only in a very, very small percentage of cases does need play a factor at all. For 95% of applicants, how much aid they need or whether they need aid will not at all be considered in their admissions decision. And Smith’s policy is to meet the full documented financial need of each applicant (as determined by the college, of course. Important to note). And more than half of this year’s graduating class received institutional financial aid (56%). </p>
<p>So while Smith isn’t 100% need blind, it’s pretty close. Of all the things that could impact their decision on your application, financial aid is the least of them.</p>
<p>Hi,
I would apply to every scholarship that you can. You never know which one you could possibly be accepted for. The best thing to do so that you’re getting information that correct is to contact the schools directly. Ask about their scholarship AND grant programs. Sometimes there are updates that don’t get out there as quickly as they should about new programs.<br>
Also, many programs are ongoing. As long as you’re still attending classes, it’s a simple paper to sign the years after you were accepted.
Good luck.</p>