Should I apply for financial aid or aim for the merit scholarships? I’m an international student so it’s need-aware for me, so I’m not sure which option is easier/less competitive.
Swarthmore doesn’t have many merit scholarships, but they do attempt to meet need if you document it.
@geekgurl I think not applying for fin aid certainly raise your chances a liltle bit. But if it means putting strains on your family, then I think you should apply for it. Swarthmore is need aware for internationals but their average financial aid package is considerable (around $59000, if I remember correctly) so I believe if your family does not need too much financial aid, then it will make no difference.
@chimchimmy My family makes little so I feel like the estimated need will be high…do you think I’ll have higher chance for admission with financial aid, or without financial aid but getting merit scholarships? I heard that some merit scholarships are quite big so I feel like that could be an option but again I’m not sure how much they spend on international aid.
The only merit scholarships at Swarthmore are the McCabe. It is available to “at least one” international student each year. I would interpret that as “one.” Or occasionally “two.” I would NOT count on that in lieu of regular financial aid.
@geekgurl Swarthmore’s merit scholarships are very limited. I think applying for fin aid is definitely more feasible! They are very generous with international students’ fin aid. (Like I said, the average aid is HUGE!)
@chimchimmy Good to know that, thanks for sharing that info! I guess I’ll apply for aid then.