<p>From our experience - here is a list of schools with great theatre programs that also offer excellent ACADEMIC merit awards.</p>
<p>(Please note: all of these schools also offer need-based financial aid; the list below is for aid that is awarded based on academic merit only, with no regard to the student’s demonstrated financial need. These are NOT talent-based awards, just for academic merit.)</p>
<p>For National Merit Finalists:
Boston University: automatic, $20,000/year
Fordham University: automatic, full-tuition
University of Arizona: automatic, full-tuition
University of Minnesota: limited number of NMF scholarships, up to full tuition
University of Oklahoma: automatic, full-tuition plus room/board first year, plus many other benefits
University of Southern California: automatic, half-tuition
(Note: automatic means that if you are an admitted NMF, you will receive the scholarship; limited means that there is a “cap” to the number of admitted NMFs who receive the scholarship, so somewhat first-come, first-served)</p>
<p>For students with excellent academic and other achievements (doesn’t require NMF status):
Boston University: competitive, up to full tuition
Emerson College: competitive, up to $18,000/year
Fordham University: competitive, up to full tuition
Ithaca College: competitive, up to $18,000/year
Kenyon College: competitive, full and half-tuition scholarships
Muhlenberg College: competitive, up to $16,000/year
Northern Illinois University: competitive, up to full tuition + full room/board
Syracuse University: competitive, up to $12,000/year
University of Illinois: competitive, up to $10,000/year OOS; more for in-state
University of Minnesota: competitive, up to full tuition
Washington University in St. Louis: competitive, up to full tuition</p>
<p>There may be more schools out there that give good merit aid - this list is just for the schools I personally researched.</p>
<p>Let me see if I understand correctly then. </p>
<p>~There is a difference between merit awards( academic) and talent awards( determined after an audition and based on perceived talent)
~Merit applies to all schools and talent is specific to performing arts programs. Many schools offer theater kids both, some do not.
~Most talent awards run from between 1000-5000 dollars
~Some token scholarships can be as low as 250 dollars
~A significant or generous scholarship would be in the range of 5000-20000 depending on the specific university, noting that some universities are known for larger scholarship and/or merit offers than others. These are often merit awards but some are a combination and some are pure talent.
edited to add:~Some schools allow students to “stack” merit and talent awards, some do not and require a student to choose between the two.
~Full rides (i.e. covering total tuition) are rare, but some schools offer 1 or 2 a year or will sometimes offer for talent and/or merit.</p>
<p>A few questions about financial need as it relates to talent and merit awards:</p>
<p>Financial need is a different indicator than talent and merit. Does financial need sometimes but not always effects the size and frequency of talent and merit awards?</p>
<p>~A “full need school” will meet a students complete financial need as determined with a minimum of loans. Does this happen with a combination of talent, merit, and need based awards? </p>
<p>Based on my experience and understanding, the answer to both your latest question is YES, bearing in mind that, as you say, not all schools will let students “stack” merit and talent awards. </p>
<p>Northwestern University is an example of a school that gives generous financial aid - but not “merit” aid:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Financial aid at Northwestern includes:
Northwestern scholarships and grants, Federal/State grants (these funds do not need to be paid back)
Work-study (students may be asked to contribute by working on campus at designated jobs, usually for 6-10 hours/week)
Federal loans, i.e. Stafford Loans and Perkins Loans
If a student earns “outside scholarships” (i.e. from your local Rotary club, etc), they may not be “stacked” on top of your Northwestern scholarships/grants. They may, however, reduce your need for federal loans or work-study.</p>
<p>“merit-based but need-informed” - which means that at some institutions, the answer to your question is “yes,” and awards may be adjusted up (or down) based on demonstrated financial need.</p>
<p>And of course - colleges use different metrics to come up with their definition of your “demonstrated financial need.” Data from the FAFSA (all institutions) and CSS (private institutions) are used, but as financial aid packages come in, it’s been very clear that there is a wide range in what each institution views as our individual family’s “need."</p>
<p>Here’s a post that long-time USC resource, madbean, made today on another USC thread. I’m copying it here as it’s relevant to this conversation:</p>
<p>As entertainersmom mentioned, Coastal Carolina offers both talent and merit, but the 2 are not stackable. However, you can stack merit with application-based awards. The merit awards are automatic based on stats. The application based are just that - you apply for them. My D receives both a merit and several application based awards. And as a matter of fact, a special grant waiver of $1,250 showed up in her account a few weeks ago, which was a very nice graduation surprise!</p>
<p>Coastal Carolina University Freshmen Awards
Presidential Scholarship
In-State: $6,000 per year Out-of-State: $11,000 per year*<br>
1400 SAT or 32 ACT; and High School GPA 3.75+<br>
President’s Scholar Award
In-State: $4,000 per year Out-of-State: $9,500 per year*<br>
1250 SAT or 27 ACT; and High School GPA 3.5+<br>
Provost’s Scholar Award<br>
In-State: $2,000 per year Out-of-State: $8,500 per year*<br>
1200 SAT or 26 ACT; and High School GPA 3.5+<br>
Coastal Scholar Award<br>
In-State: $1,000 per year Out-of-State: $6,000 per year*<br>
1100 SAT or 24 ACT; and High School GPA 3.5+<br>
CCU Palmetto Scholarship
In-State: $2,000 per year
First time freshman awarded the SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
1200 SAT or 27 ACT and
minimum HS GPA of 3.5 and
Rank in the top 6%</p>
<p>Honors Program Award<br>
In-State and Out-of-State
A new laptop computer to use while attending Coastal Carolina University.<br>
Priority Admission Deadline: January 1 - Invitation only
1200 SAT or 26 ACT; and High School GPA 3.5+ </p>
<p>Visual and Performing Arts Merit-Based Scholarship<br>
In-State: $2,000 per year Out-of-State: $6,500 per year*<br>
1000 SAT or 21 ACT;
High School GPA 3.0;
Must major in art studio, graphic design, music, musical theatre or theatre arts; and
Must be recommended by department
Audition/portfolio required.</p>