Also it is not COA that is being compared, on the cost analysis worksheet it let’s you put the numbers for Pitt and up to 2 other schools.
It has you list tuition, fees, room and board (=total direct costs) and then all aid offered by the schools like scholarship, institutional grant, any federal or state grants and student loans.
Then they compare the bottom line of total direct costs minus total financial aid (=net cost) of all three schools.
And there is no guarantee that they will increase or offer merit.
@music465 that is doubtful. Anecdotal report from one of my friends from last year says no. The Pitt rep basically told them “your in-state option is always going to be more affordable. Enjoy your in-state school next year!” So basically…no. But YMMV so you should try.
Last year one of our cost analysis schools had lower housing costs and was $2k cheaper. Pitt did indeed come back with an award of $2k/year more.
I just got my merit which was 5k a year… so 20k total. I’m not the most stellar student in my grade (let’s say top 25-30%) so I’m alright with the amount. I’ll have to actually visit Pitt soon, but if I don’t fall in love with the campus, it’s unlikely I’ll be going to Pitt since TCNJ would be so much cheaper for me.
^^ My stats are: 3.45 uw GPA, 3.9 w GPA, 1540 SAT, 9 APs, 10 honor courses. I answered all three questions and wasn’t accepted into the honors college.
However, I was accepted to the Pharmacy GAP, but after further thought, I’m no longer as interested. If I did go to Pitt, I’ll have to think about switching majors.
Just received the letter. 25k a year with Chancellor’s Scholarship nomination. Really came as a shock, considering my stats weren’t perfect. 34 ACT/3.92 UW GPA. I do think my short answers were strong, so that’s probably what got me the nomination.
That’s outstanding @weirdfishes2 … I am so happy for you and I have to admit absolutely green with envy. I truly wish my daughter got that amazing merit her stats were the same as your ACT. I wish I knew the secret sauce…her essays were really good as well. Oh well…going to throw the hail mary pass for Chancellors but it’s such a challenge to get that…I wish you luck with your chancellor nomination :). By the way what college/major did you apply to?
@JMRome and @GertrudeMcFuzz I completely understand how you feel. The 15K my daughter got was great but $20K would have made a big difference financially for us. I wish I knew how it was all figured out. I hate feeling disappointed, especially when it’s her very top choice…but I can’t help but be a bit dejected.
Fantastic @weirdfishes2! My daughter is also going for the BPhil in Russian and Economics. Maybe you’ll cross paths in the Honors College if you both end up there!
Don’t get disappointed. If it is your daughters top choice, then go for it. It may seem 5K less than you expected. But it opens many doors at Pitt from the second year where she can apply for many departmental scholarships which can offset 5K. If someone offers 10K more and your daughter didn’t like much what is the difference. As a parent, we need to see where our kids can succeed… Hope this helps.
Agreed @SamK94. It’s still great to get accepted and get good merit from her #1 choice. Still waiting on a few others to come back with merit so lots of exciting stuff still happening! Congrats again @weirdfishes2… You have much to be proud of!!!
@EmZoWe what major were you interested in? The pharmacy GAP doesn’t restrict your major in Dietrich, you just have to take the pharmacy prerequisite courses, and have a spot held for you in the pharmacy school.
Found a great link to a former live chat from October 2017 about scholarships at Pitt. Just google it because I just tried to post the link, and it would not let me to post the comment! Man’s name is Ron Jankowski with Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
My D received a letter a few days ago from Pitt saying she is eligible for a GAP program that she did not apply for. It was Health something or other but she applied for the GAP Medicine (4.0 UW and 35 ACT). Does this mean she does not qualify to apply for the GAP Medicine program? @hailtopitt1787
Upon further reading, this may be related to the major she chose (Molecular Biology, which is related to the aforementioned GAP program) whereas Engineering and Pre-Med majors are considered for the Medical GAP program, according to the website.