<p>My son will probably qualify for a merit award at school that he was accepted to. There is an additional small scholarship (2k) that can be stacked on the one he will probably be awarded. The 2k dollar one used to be " up to" 10k, but they have changed it to 2k for all who are awarded it. It needs to be renewed annually, so it is possible to lose this merit aid.
Would you take the school's word at face value that it will be stacked, IF how this award will be distributed has NOT been officially approved yet? This is how they "think" it will be distributed. The person who my son spoke with said that there are major changes in how merit aid will be awarded this year, but nothing has been "signed off" on yet. The reason that I ask is because the 2k dollar award must be applied for seperately every year. If my son were awarded a smaller merit award to have this award stacked onto the other, he would just be wasting his time. Thoughts? Their policies for awards are new this year, and I realize that nobody has a crystal ball to know if it pays to apply for the 2k. Would you encourage your child to apply for it?</p>
<p>I’m confused. :/</p>
<p>Your son has one scholarship, and he could also get a $2k one stacked on top (which must be applied for each year).</p>
<p>Does the website say it will be stacked (or do you have an email saying it will be)? Either way, keep a copy of where it states that it can be stacked. That will be your insurance. (email the scholarship office and keep their response)</p>
<p>Is the question as to how the money will get paid? Such as by issued check or by adding it to his account as a credit? Is the concern that the scholarship may be discontinued in a future year?</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the concern is. I think I’m having a senior moment - LOL</p>
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<p>I don’t understand this concern above.</p>
<p>Read the college website for the specifics of each scholarship. If it is guaranteed all four years, if there is a GPA requirement for automatic renewal, etc. The second one you refer to is clear that the student must apply for it each year. You could call the financial aid office to find out of the second $2000 one will discount the original merit scholarship or will be added to the original. It sounds like that has not been determined yet (from your original post), but you could certainly call and see if the situation has been determined yet.</p>
<p>momofthreeboys, as of this week, whether the 2nd scholarship discounts the first has not been determined yet, but as of now, it will not. Still, this has not been signed off on yet. There will be a certain gpa needed to keep the first scholarship, but since it has not been officially awarded yet, I do not know what the gpa will be. Judging from the past, it should be a 2.75. This award is a nice sized figure, but it is not their largest award (3.5 I believe is needed for that one). The 2k award, involved ECs at the college, so if one does not do what is required, it goes away after a year.</p>
<p>mom2college, the website has last year’s info, so new merit info has not been made available to applicants who have not directly contacted the school to inquire! My concern is whether the 1st scholarship will be discounted because of the second. Trying to weigh whether our son should bother applying for it. There is not a final decision about stacking, but as of today, it will be stacked (just not made official yet). Perhaps I should have my son go through the work and wait to submit. Perhaps a decision will be reached shortly?? Don’t know though.</p>
<p>I tell my D to apply to everything that comes her way, if it is $100, still more $$ in our pocket. She is on at least 10 if not more stacked up Merit automatically renewable scholarships that cover her tuition. In addtion, she apply to Returned Students and Departmental Merit awards every year. She does not know what she migh get at all. However, she got ADDITIONAL $6500 for her sophomore year after applying for Returned students Merit $$, awarded to kids with GPA=3.8+ at D’s college. Then, she missed deadline to apply for junior year. Well, nobody is perfect, some imperfections are very costly. Yes, please, apply to absolutely everything, wright essays, thank you’s is needed, make sure to apply to departmentals which usually awarded to upper classmen. And, fill out that FASFA, although you are very far from being “needy”. Our FA office strongly suggest FASFA to get full range of MERIT awards. We do it every year. Tell kids that having very high GPA in college is much more financially sound than having a job - they will earn more $$.</p>
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<p>Ahhh!!! now I get it :)</p>
<p>I would have him apply - definitely! Better to be safe than sorry. If it ends up being a zero sum game, then decline it so someone else can have it.</p>
<p>But, you should try to get something in writing (an email response, perhaps) where they state that the schollies will stack. </p>
<p>Is one a university scholly and the other a dept scholly?</p>
<p>^^ No, both are univesity scholarships for different things (one is based upon the whole package of the applicant-grades, ECs, geographic region of the applicant, etc.), the second little award is based on an EC.</p>
<p>hmmm…</p>
<p>An EC scholly. Sounds like a stackable - because it sounds like it’s endowed. But, as you say, they’re figuring it all out right now. Still, have him apply. If it turns out be “not stackable” then decline it.</p>
<p>Does the total of the two exceed tuition?</p>
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<p>Not even close. I can only wish. The school still might not be affordable for us with these 2 awards. We’ll have to wait and see.</p>
<p>I understand your concerns. I remember deferring one “single use” award so as to get the maximum money eons ago. No place will let you get more than you pay, but it sounds like the maximum awards won’t do that. Read the fine print, check with the school et al I guess for the official answer.</p>