<p>I just decided to apply to the University of Pittsburgh, since they are rolling decision and I really would like to go there. I submitted all of my materials this week, now all I have to do is wait. Assuming I get in on time (I was told that isn't an issue with my GPA of 4.73 and ACT of 32), what are the chances that I get a good financial aid package? Also, I understand that I missed the deadline for merit-based aid (it was January 15th). Is there any way they could still give that out (like if a student declines going to Pitt and got a scholarship)? Additionally, my EFC is about $9000. My brother applied early this year and got in, he got full tuition and the financial aid covered the rest. Advice, opinions? Also, I am out of state.</p>
<p>Why did you just apply? If they have any remaining merit aid they might give you some but you need to CALL the FA office.</p>
<p>Seems as though Pitt might give better aid for OOS students than in-state students.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pittsburgh/883472-aid-given-out-state-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pittsburgh/883472-aid-given-out-state-students.html</a></p>
<p>*Assuming I get in on time (I was told that isn’t an issue with my GPA of 4.73 and ACT of 32), what are the chances that I get a good financial aid package? Also, I understand that I missed the deadline for merit-based aid (it was January 15th). Is there any way they could still give that out (like if a student declines going to Pitt and got a scholarship)? *</p>
<p>I would send a nice note to the director of scholarships apologizing for the lateness of the app. I would include my stats (include SAT breakdown) and my home address/phone. I would ask if it is possible for you to be considered for a merit scholarship. Thank them for their time and consideration to your request. </p>
<p>*
Additionally, my EFC is about $9000. My brother applied early this year and got in, he got full tuition and the financial aid covered the rest. Advice, opinions? Also, I am out of state. *</p>
<p>What are your brother’s stats? What state are you from? what kind of FA did he get?</p>
<p>It appears that UPitt has a very odd way of giving merit. Possibly based on getting students from specific states and/or kids into certain majors.</p>
<p>I’m from Ohio. My brother’s stats are very similar to mine. He has a 4.703 and a 34 on his ACT. He’s planning on following a science major (I think biological sciences) and he hopes to go into medicine and become a doctor. I, on the other hand, am planning on following an engineering major (undeclared at the moment), and I MIGHT consider going to medical school.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad, I already called the Financial Aid office. They told me that I was still eligible for financial aid, but that I was not eligible for merit-based aid because I missed that deadline. I don’t know if maybe they will want me and give financial aid in the form of grants or make the exception and give the merit-aid that someone else declined. That is why I am asking.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, I emailed them a letter describing my financial situation and thanking them for accepting my application at this time. I indicated that I very much am in need of financial assistance especially with my brother attending school at the same time as me. I then brought to their attention various other factors that they may want to know and told them that I look forward to receiving their admission decision. I wasn’t issued an ID yet, so I left my name and address so they know who it is that sent them the email. If anything, they know who I am because my email is attached to my application. As for my brother, apart from his full tuition, the rest of his financial aid was given in loans and work-study. He’s deciding whether he wants to decline the work study or unsub loan. In any case, he was told that he could replace that aid with additional aid that he gets outside of Pitt. Also, thanks for suggesting that I email the director of scholarships. I’ll check who that is and see what I can do.</p>
<p>I guess since overlapping his portion of the EFC with aid wasn’t a problem for Pitt, they may give me a good package despite my late application? I understand that Pitt received a nice endowment and, compared to OSU which literally gave me nothing, they may actually consider me for something?</p>
<p>Why didn’t you apply the same time as your brother? Pitt has rolling admissions and they seem to award merit scholarships on a rolling basis too! The earlier you apply the better your chances of getting something. From what we were told when DS applied, they do not give out merit scholarships after they have been turned down – it goes back in the pot for next year.</p>
<p>I didn’t apply earlier because all things considered, I couldn’t make the deadline back then. I was told that it still wasn’t too late to apply now, and that perhaps something could still be done for me.</p>
<p>Middle 50% of First-Year Students - Percent Who Submitted Scores</p>
<p>SAT Critical Reading: 570 - 680 93%
SAT Math: …590 - 680 93%
SAT Writing: … 560 - 660 93%
ACT Composite: … 25 - 30 35%</p>
<p>Both you and your brother are in the upper 25% for the school. Your brother has the benefit of being probably in the upper 5% of the school, and he applied on time. </p>
<p>As for my brother, apart from his full tuition, the rest of his financial aid was given in loans and work-study. He’s deciding whether he wants to decline the work study or unsub loan. In any case, he was told that he could replace that aid with additional aid that he gets outside of Pitt.</p>
<p>UPitt has an OOS COA of around $35k plus transportation and personal expenses ( so really about $38k)</p>
<p>Is your brother’s scholarship for about $23k? And the rest is in loan and w/s? Tell your brother not to decline the work-study. If he can get outside scholarships, tell him to decline the unsub loans and this is why…if he later discovers he needs more money, he can go back and get that unsub loan, but he probably cannot go back and get that work-study. </p>
<p>As for you…it’s not encouraging that apart from the scholarship, they gave your brother essentially nothing but loans and work-study. That suggests that if you don’t get a scholarship (or you get a small one), you’ll get loans and a gap in your FA package. </p>
<p>You probably should declare a major. I think on the other thread, it suggested that certain majors have money to give for scholarships. Being undeclared leaves you kind of “out there” for no department to help you.</p>
<p>What are your other school choices?</p>
<p>Well, I know that since I’ll be doing engineering, I theoretically shouldn’t have a problem being considered for anything from the engineering school. I don’t think that they offer anything for specific engineering majors, its just in general like at other schools.</p>
<p>I got in to Rensselaer, Case Western Reserve University, University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Miami University (Oxford). As far as I can see, OSU’s package was horrible and they could care less about discussing more aid. I have yet to receive a final package from Michigan, but my estimate was rather low. Rensselaer didn’t give anything wonderful (32k aid out of 53k). Miami didn’t give much except loans and I have a $9000 gap anyway. I’m appealing to Rensselaer, Michigan and Case (I’m actually meeting with the assistant director of financial aid from Case, so I’ll work with them on my package)</p>
<p>I’m kind of in a bind with these packages. Even my high school’s financial aid counselor didn’t know what to say. Looking at my scores, grades and EFC I was really surprised too.</p>
<p>On that other UPitt aid thread, I’m pretty sure that it was indicated that the COE has their own scholarship money to give. So, it would be in your best interest to immediately declare an engineering major. It probably won’t matter if you’re not entirely sure which area of engineering you’ll ultimately end up in. It can’t hurt, so why risk it?</p>
<p>I wonder if you’re being hurt by the fact that these schools get many apps from your state. </p>
<p>I’m wondering if you should quickly apply to a school that doesn’t have a lot of Ohio students.</p>
<p>Should I contact the engineering department and see if I am eligible to receive an engineering scholarship despite these circumstances?</p>
<p>Also, are there any good engineering schools that are still accepting applications and need Ohio students?</p>
<p>Pitt’s engineering school gives out scholarships to engineering students – usually around 4,000 a year for OOS. I don’t believe Pitt guarantees that they will meet the “full need” of students so don’t expect a good financial aid package from them.</p>
<p>*Should I contact the engineering department and see if I am eligible to receive an engineering scholarship despite these circumstances?</p>
<p>Also, are there any good engineering schools that are still accepting applications and need Ohio students? *</p>
<p>It sure wouldn’t hurt to send a polite email. Include your stats and maybe mention a little bit about yourself that pertains to your engineering interests. A friend of mine sent an email to the COE at our flagship on Monday and got verification of a scholarship yesterday. </p>
<p>So, look over the faculty/staff of the COE and figure out a couple people who should receive your email. The Dean might be too high. See if there is an associate dean of academic programs or a scholarship coordinator. Be apologetic about the lateness of your app in your communication. Thank them for their time and consideration of your request.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any highly ranked schools that are still accepting apps, but there are some mid-tiers that are and some might give you a scholarship. As a back up, you should send a few more apps out unless you have a safety if the UPitt money doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>I’ll look into contacting the administration of the engineering school at Pitt. I do still have an option. My best option is to go to Case Western Reserve University. I believe I can work with them on this matter.</p>
<p>Also, I just heard back from Rensselaer, and was informed that the appeals committee awarded an additional grant of $2000 on top of the $32k financial aid I received. It still doesn’t come anywhere near the cost of attendance of $53000. Should I expect this kind of decision from other schools? Is Rensselaer known to give out less money? My friend whose EFC is 0 only got $38k from them…</p>
<p>Rensselaer doesn’t meet need.</p>