Scholarships (Or Lack Thereof)

<p>I don't think it's all academics. I got a Founders scholarship (12000 a yr) and I don't have to most outstanding grades. 1350/1950 SAT and a 3.3 unweighted GPA I think its based on my extracurriculars or something, I applied to design though, maybe my stats are great for that</p>

<p>But I have yet to find out about any fin. aid. from any of my schools.</p>

<p>Should it come with my acceptance letter in the mail? Will it be posted online? How did you guys find out about your aid? I know I got into Mills College, and with their acceptance letter in the mail, I also received a scholarship, that accompanies the fin aid that I have yet to find out about. But, I mean, the sooner I can know about the fin aid end of things the better? So any advice you guys have is grrreatly appreciated.</p>

<p>The merit awards do seem random to me. My son got 18,000 @AU, 17,000@Tulane and <a href="mailto:0@Syracuse">0@Syracuse</a>.
3.8gpa and 31 ACT</p>

<p>Does anyone know if $12K is the top academic merit scholarship offered by SU?</p>

<p>perischack: the only higher merit award is Coronet in arts and sciences.(full scholarship), but last year, for some reason, there were people on CC in arts and sciences with two diff merit awards, some totalling 18,000,,,never figured out why</p>

<p>$12,000 is the highest for Newhouse and I think Whitman.....but not sure.....</p>

<p>Thank you, rodney. My son received the 12K for academic merit, I believe. He'd be a Musical Theatre major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. We've been offered more money elsewhere (including I guess what you'd call a "talent scholarship") and were hoping for more from SU. Trying to figure out if it's worth getting in touch to see if there might be more dollars available.</p>

<p>this might be stupid but can u get scholarship if u didnt apply for aid? also what kinda stats do u need to get $ from newhouse</p>

<p>hello5-
Merit is different at different schools (AU and Tulane always give a lot).
$8K here. My sons stats are similar to your sons- 3.82 GPA and 31 ACT. Still very little given the total cost of SU. No need-based aid here so we get to foot the bill. Will not attend. Too bad those of us who earn a certain $$ are expected to pay so much.</p>

<p>marcj- All student apps are looked at for merit based scholarships without filling out any other paperwork/forms and without applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>My son also received the Chancellor's Merit Scholarship of $8,000. I am not complaining, but we were hoping for more aid as well. We are waiting for aid pacakges from several other schools to decide our options.</p>

<p>I am grateful for schools like SU offering merit scholarships though, because without that option we would be paying the entire tuition with only having student loans as a financial aid package.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, the financial aid system is set-up in a disadvantaged way for those who have been diligent in saving for college. Our EFC is much higher than our income would suggest because we have saved for college. Honestly, we'd probably been better off not setting aside funds for college. In my view there is something wrong with a system that seems to discourages one to save for their education.</p>

<p>College frenzy- WELL SAID!!!!!!</p>

<p>yea i got like 12 in merit and 5 in stafford loans, too bad i sent my deposit for Emory a week before lol</p>

<p>For those of you who GOT merit aid, be grateful. I really didn't work this hard to get $0.00, especially when my stats are higher than people who DID get aid and the majority of the people accepted to cuse</p>

<p>first of all, its not all about "stats"
second, its not for u or any of us to decide who should and shouldnt get merit aid,
thats the schools job
and if u dont like the school
a) dont go there and
b) dont complain about it
anyone here should be grateful that they are going to a school like syracuse or even grateful that theyre going to college at all, instead of complaining about how hard they worked or how the system is messed up, if u havent realized, the world isnt perfect, and complaining isnt going to help anyone or anything</p>

<p>Eaglesfan is right its not just about your grades and SAT scores the schools looks at a lot of factors when looking at those stats. One person might have a 4.0 and no extra curricular activities... another person has a 3.8 but holds a full time job... or volunteers... you don't know what each applicant has on applications aside from just their grades. The school made a decision based on who they felt deserved it the most. You might have worked hard but others might have worked harder or maybe they didn't have to but thats not for you to decided or to make them feel bad for getting merits. They have every right to complain that is isn't enough as you have to complain that you didn't get any at all... be grateful you got in because there are plenty of us still waiting.</p>

<p>^^Don't criticize or try to rationalize other people's situations. Sorry Eagles Fan, but people have the right to be upset, especially when you get merit money for a 27 ACT and other students with higher stats and plenty of extra "everything" get nothing.</p>

<p>Yeah, I am REALLY disappointed that I didn't get any scholarship at all. I am so thrilled to be accepted into Newhouse, but I have a 4.0 GPA at a really great high school, lots of extracurriculars, and a 1360 on SATs (which I think is pretty good). I also had a killer interview there. So people who are complaining about not receiving ENOUGH need to realize that some people with 4.0's got absolutely nothing.</p>

<p>did any of you not pick up that afitscher did not withdraw his RD app to Syracuse after being accepted to Emory ED...and then took up $12,000 of merit $$ that could have gone to one of you????.....nice going......wonder what your GC was doing in his'her spare time.....</p>

<p>hello5, who are u, or any of us, to say who should get merit money?
and who are u to CRITICIZE my tests scores and the rest of my application
like i said before its not our choice or opinion, it's theirs
also u might want to look up the definitions of criticize and rationalize, i did not judge/compare/disapprove of anyone elses situation, i also did not make any excuse for anyones situation,
i didnt say they dont have a right to be upset, i simply stated being upset and making it known doesnt help anyone
and if u didnt kno, higher "stats" doesnt always = higher merit aid
i wish i could tell u we live in a perfect world, but we dont, and the sooner u realize that, the better</p>

<p>oh, and u should go on the parent forum instead of arguing with kids who are just trying to talk about the schools theyre interested in, might be easier on both of us</p>

<p>Hold on a minute here. Are the merit scholarships all awarded at the time of acceptance or do you receive a separate email/mailing informing you later on? According to last years posts at this time it seemed a lot of students were notified a week or so after the official acceptances. Is it the same situation this year? I have been trying to find out and have been unable to determine if this is the case by looking at the website. I am holding off calling or emailing them for another week or so. Also, are they awarded at different times by school? Some of you could then hear good news in the next week possibly?</p>

<p>In any case we are grateful for the acceptance in this very very competitive year. Also, the fact that they are willing to do more than scratch the surface and look at the applicant as a whole rather than a statistic when so many other schools only look at the numbers (especially the larger ones). Kudos to them! </p>

<p>Even with merit aid this is a very expensive school (unfortunately they are not alone here). But they are a private university and I am at least thankful that they are trying not to erode the quality of education they provide by preventing cuts, layoffs, etc., and being conservative and not overextending themselves. I think in years past they were able to be much more generous. Times are tough and they do have an obligation to provide the same level of service to their current and now future students. Go on the website and read what the Chancellor has to say. On the other hand if one cannot afford SYU there are other quality alternatives out there such as public universities. My husband and I both attended state schools because that was our only alternative and we have done more than fine. At least there are other decent options and if cost is a concern those options should have been explored during the application process. Nobody should be assuming they will automatically receive merit aid from any schools in this day and age.</p>

<p>I got into the SAS with a 23 act and a 1650 SAT only, but a 93 GPA , and I got the 6k/year merit award; didn't even fill out the Fafsa. I was surprised I even got in, let alone the merit money. I did have a good schedule=AP and honors, and excellent EC activities. I'm going to Penn State University Park though, my first choice! So there's some merit money for someone else!</p>