<p>What is this "Upperclassmen merit scholarship" (or something like that) that I hear about?</p>
<p>You apply once you get to Caltech. It's given to ~60 students a year. The awards range from 3/4 tuition to tuition, room, and board. It's based on academic excellence. So if you're good and you study hard once you get here, you can get a free ride. But the scholarships are very competitive, so it's important not to count on getting it, lest one gets disappointed.</p>
<p>To whom are the scholarships awarded usually? And also I'm guessing that by upperclassmen they mean everyone but freshmen?</p>
<p>Freshmen can apply and be awarded the scholarship for their sophomore year. I think by upperclassmen they mean that no freshmen are awarded the scholarship in their freshman year, and seniors can't apply (since they're leaving anyway).</p>
<p>If a student gets one, does he have to reapply for the next year? And also, do they look at the student's financial situation or totally disregard it?</p>
<p>Financial situation is irrelevant for these -- that's where need-based aid comes in.</p>
<p>If you get it one year and want it the next, you have to reapply, but obviously having gotten it once helps.</p>
<p>what's the scholarship form prefrosh have to fill out on 5/1 or so?</p>