University Honors or Merit

<p>Did anyone (especially those in the Elliot School) get invited to participate in the University Honors program who did NOT get merit-aid???</p>

<p>My son was accepted into University Honors and has not been offered any merit aid so far. He is a National Merit finalist, but has not designated GWU as his first choice yet--we are coming down to the deadline. GWU will not tell us how much or even if they will give him a NM scholarship. American U (not his first choice) guarantees a NM schlarship, but will not tell us an amount either. Anyone know how many finalists do get scholarships from GWU and what amounts they are?</p>

<p>I didn't apply to the Honors Program (and now regret it) and got into the Elliot school. I got half tuition for merit though. What do you need to have for the Honors Program? Where your GPA and scores high? And are you taking the most challenging courses?</p>

<p>If you feel that you should have gotten a merit scholarship, call and talk to the financial office.</p>

<p>My son's ACT was 31, GPA probably somewhere between 3.6 and 3.9 (hard to say because high school does not weight and he will have 90-some college credits after taking Running Start junior and senior year.) He had less than stellar grades in 9th and 10th grade, but once he changed to RS they came way up culminating in a 4.0 through senior year. He also has acted with a Shakespearean theatre for 4 years. I guess they like to see improvement! The question remains, can we afford it--would like to know how much NM finalist scholarship he can get.</p>

<p>I'm a National Merit finalist, got into honors program at GW plus the half tution scholarship, but no more than that. I had hoped I might get something extra for being national merit, but no such luck.</p>

<p>I was wondering the exact same thing. I did receive a merit scholarship, but I did not get into the Honors Program. It seems strange to me that a school would be willing to pay for half my education, but I'm not strong enough to be in their honors program.... Is anyone else in my situation?</p>

<p>Now I'm finding the whole thing really weird!!!
I got UH but no merit. I was accepted into the ESIA.
I might have to have a little chat with admissions and FA tomorrow during the GW Day...</p>

<p>From what I've heard Honors Program and merit money do not go hand-in-hand. It used to be that all honors program members got merit awards, but GW did not want merit money to be the motivating factor behind application to the Honors program. The honors program is for those who want to pursue their studies at a slightly more deep level. If you didn't get into honors as a freshman you can always apply after your first semester if you have a 3.7 or above.</p>

<p>ugh!! this is frustrating! while i'm incredibly thankful for my scholarship, I did really want to "pursue my studies at a deeper level." had i been accepted to the honors program, my college decision would be much easier. i don't think i could talk to GW about it anyways... its not like financial stuff that i can repeal, but it would be nice to have an explanation!</p>

<p>Krock--You should try to appeal the Honors decision...call them and mention any accomplishments you've had since they made the decision. We are doing the same with U. of WA Honors. Long shot, maybe, but nothing to lose.</p>

<p>Speaking as a mother of an undecided accepted student and holder of the purse strings, what people are saying makes no sense. If you are in UH you have academic potential or they wouldn't have allowed you in the program. Does anyone know how many merit scholarsips are given out as compared to how many students are designated as University Honors Scholars?</p>

<p>i'm not in UH which is what i'm confused about. i got a half-tuition scholarship but was not accepted to the honors program and this seems inconsistent to me. not being accpeted is not the end of the world and i know i can reapply for sophomore year, but i just don't understand the university's logic. perhaps i will try appealing the decision, although, i'll be honest, second semester senior year has not been filled with endless awards. :-&lt;/p>

<p>Acually I'd rather my kid get a 1/2 tuition merit-based scholly than University Honors.</p>

<p>GW doesn't offer scholarships based on NM finalists status. They review applications on their own terms and then offer the scholarships.</p>

<p>i'm sure my mom feels the same way, but i need to pick between GW and a school with much smaller classes and more individual attention, so being in UH might have impacted my decision (although, with the scholarship i'll probably choose GW anyways).</p>

<p>I apllied to Elliot and got both UH and Presidential Scholar. GW accepts only 130 UH applicants out of a pool of 1200 but gives out many more Presidential Scholarships as shown by the number of people recieving half tuition on CC. If you were accepted into UH but no merit-aid I would contact GW. Even though they go hand-in-hand, it seems weird that people who did not get into UH got merit and you did no. If you got merit but did not get UH the appeal would be much harder as there are not many UH spots open to start with.</p>

<p>Currentstudent: On GWU's financial aid site is the following: </p>

<p>National Merit and National Achievement Finalists are required to notify the National Merit Corporation that GW is your first-choice institution before April 15, 2006 and that you have not received any other National Merit college-sponsored scholarships. The National Merit Corporation will inform GW of those finalists who meet these criteria. National Hispanic Scholars need only to send a copy of their scholarship letter from the College Board to our Office of Admission. </p>

<p>Of course nothing is guaranteed, but they are a NM sponsor college.</p>

<p>I don't think Presidential Scholar 1/2 tuition scholarship has anything to do with the National Merit Scholarships other than they both are merit-based.</p>

<p>You are right Mdear--they don't have anything to do with each other. Furthermore, placement in Honors and receipt of the Prez award don't really have anything to do with each other, although some students might receive both. That is what we were told today when we talked to the admissions office. The committee that decides honors placements and the committee that decides merit awards don't communicate, so it is possible to receive honors and not merit, and vice versa. As for NM finalist awards, sounds like GW will let us know in the future (they were vague about when, how and if).</p>

<p>I agree with PNW that UH and Pres. are independent of eachother. It would be nice if UH brought some financial recognition.</p>