<p>I don’t disagree, finances are a huge issue for college. I was just going down the list of the top 50 from USNWR, eliminating the state schools especially. For many people, $18K would be enough to make Case affordable. And since that is an average, I am assuming there are some that get more and some that get less. But since I do not know their program in detail, I cannot say that with certainty. Maybe all that get merit aid get $18K. Whatever the case, I wouldn’t call that nothing. It just may not be enough in many cases.</p>
<p>Case is like Tulane, giving a range of merit award amounts. The most I recall someone saying (in the CC Case forum) that they had gotten was $32K. There were a good number of awards in the $22K to $27K range like at Tulane, and others significantly lower.</p>
<p>FC’s recent comment on one of these boards that the average award numbers are just composites is quite true at most colleges. It’s just like anything else in life. The higher you stand in their applicant pool for that year (for academics, leadership, community service and other related qualities), the more merit aid you can get.</p>
<p>howitworks - thanks for the info regarding Case. BTW, I don’t know if this is related in any way, but President Cowen at Tulane was in the administration at Case prior to getting his current job.</p>
<p>Also, Tulane actually has a separate scholarship for community service, which ranges from $1,000-$15,000. It can be added to any other merit award, up to the amount of tuition. They give out up to 30 of these Community Service Awards. Just an FYI.</p>
<p>That’s intriguing about Cowan. I didn’t know he’d been at Case. Maybe that accounts for, or reinforced, Tulane’s approach to merit aid. Case is also a great school, though I would assume it uses some of the scholarships to encourage students to go to Cleveland. At least Tulane doesn’t have to worry about making New Orleans seem interesting!</p>
<p>On a different note, there is 4+1 Masters Program for Engineering. This program is also helpful so that anyone can get Master Degree in Engineering with reduced tuition. Here is the info from the website:</p>
<p>An integrated five-year Bachelor’s - Master’s program is available in the School of Science and Engineering where students pursue both the BSE (Bachelor of Science in Engineering) and MS (Master of Science) degrees. Management of the program - including specific eligibility requirements - is determined by the various Departments subject to the approval of the School of Science and Engineering.</p>
<p>■Tuition during the 5th year is discounted by the School of Science and Engineering to be 35% of the undergraduate tuition. Note that scholarships and other financial aid will not normally be continued during the 5th year; financial need is most often met in the form of low-interest student loans.</p>
<p>■Students pursuing this program are strongly encouraged to spend the summer between the 4th and 5th years doing research on their project. Occasionally, summer funding may be available from the student’s advisor or other sources of support.</p>
<p>Anybody knows if this kind of thing is also being offered at other schools with reduced tuition?</p>