Will my son have a chance to get a merit scholarship at Pitt if his SAT score is 1360 and he is in the top 7% of his class ? I understand in the past students SAT scores were 1480 to be eligible but is there a chance he could still get a scholarship? How are students notified? Are the top students notified first? And what happens with the scholarship money if the students who were awarded decided not to attend the college? Would this money then be offered to other students? My son received scholarships at two other colleges however his heart is set on Pitt. He doesn’t want to go to any other college even knowing that Pitt will cost so much more.
Zero. To. None
That’s what I thought which is why he might not be going there
Absolutely zero. He will get no scholarship money with a 1360. You will be full pay at Pitt.
Students are admitted to the university first. Merit scholarship notifications come later—anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. They come in the mail.
No one knows exactly how it is done of course, but in the past they do seem to roll out scholarship notifications in top down order according to test scores. I would also assume how early you applied factors in the decision timeline as well.
They most assuredly do NOT “roll over” unused scholarship money if other students decline their offers. Trust me, a lot of people would be in line with their hands out!
They DO offer a tiny bit of out-of-state need based aid. I am not sure how that is awarded but I do know of many people who were surprised with their “Panther Pride” award of about $11,000 per year. But that is based on need as determined by FAFSA and Pitt. If you have no true need per your EFC, then this is an award you shouldn’t expect at all.
Pitt is a good school and I understand that is where your son wants to go. Is there a chance he could start at the two other school and then transfer in if you could pay for two years?
Have him hustle to apply for any applicable scholarships at his high school, in you local community etc. $500 here and a thousand there can add up. Put the ball in his court to get the cost down. Working during the summers (40+ hours) and during the school year can help a bit.
@Proudmama2 --one should always try for local scholarships and I have heard of schools who give out amazing scholarships. But these are rare and likely highly competitive and GPA and test scores will figure into these awards.
Another flaw with this plan is hardly any of the local scholarships are continuous. They are almost all one time awards and leave nothing for the next year.
My ACT 34, top 2% kid got $4,000 in local and regional scholarships. They are all for one year only.
Every bit helps and of course the OP kid should try. But everyone needs a huge dose of reality and the effort now really should be in helping the kid embrace the schools that are more affordable.
@carachel2 @Proudmama2 Pitt is an amazing school and my son’s “dream” school but based on our budget and what we can afford, I’m so sad to say he won’t be able to attend Pitt. We just can’t afford it. He worked so hard in school. I don’t think credits from the Community College will transfer there. Pitt starts co-ops the 2nd year so my son would be missing out on that. Reality isn’t easy even for the parent. 
Community college credits will transfer to Pitt as long as they are taken before he is enrolled at Pitt.
Are you in-state for Pitt?
As a PA resident, I understand the struggle for engineering students that have very limited options available at state schools and the extremely high cost of the “state” flagships. The other school option the OP has (Shippensburg) only has the one ABET accredited engineering major. Some private schools may be a better value. Hustling for scholarships doesn’t only need to occur for freshman year, but rather every year to try to reduce debt. Not a for sure, but a strategy nonetheless. I agree that helping the student find an affordable college that “fits” is important. And there is still time to apply to a few other options that could be more affordable and provide a quality education in the direction this student wants to pursue.
@Collegefrazzled maybe start a list of the reasons your son sees Pitt as a great school for him and work on finding other schools that fit the bill and can be affordable. Run Net price calculator on all the options to see how the #’s come out and go from there.
@Proudmama2 He will have to go to Shippensburg or the community college which he really does not want to attend. He plans on majoring in Computer Engineering which is ABET accredited. I was told by one of the Engineering Professors at Ship that they plan on getting accredited in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering as well. My son will have to go there. I think he realizes this may be his only option. It is a nice college too but doesn’t compare to Pitt. I suggested other colleges but he does not want to apply to any other ones. I don’t want to force him to go to a college that he does not want to attend. Thank you for your help
Unfortunately I don’t think your son will get merit money. To answer your question regarding what they do with the extra money… it’s not really extra. Colleges offer more awards than they actually have, knowing that some turn it down and go elsewhere.
He will not get any merit money. He will receive the basic federal loans. He may also qualify for some need-based aid from Pitt and state grants since you’re instate. Have you run the NPC?
His only choices are Ship or applying to other colleges that may be cheaper than Ship (and have better resources). If he doesn’t want to go to Ship (and I agree his stats are good enough he can go elsewhere)… he needs to apply elsewhere.
My daughter is in a slightly different situation but this thread is still relevant. She had a 1450 on her SAT and was accepted to the Pitt honors college and received a letter from the Graduate School of Public health that she has been guaranteed a spot if she attends (with contingencies of course). Our challenge is that we are not PA residents and Pitt is not her top choice. Since we have another child in HS, it really will come down to the net price tag. It’s a bit late from the deadline standpoint, but has your son looked at Ohio State? I ask because like Pitt, Ohio State recruits very hard in our school district. From the parents that I know that have sent their children there, Ohio State is actually pretty generous with their endowment.
Your son may want to look into Pitt-Johnstown for computer engineering. Cheaper sticker price and more likely to get merit help. Pitt Johnstown has transitioned from Engineering Technology (which it offered for 40 years and was very well regarded) to full fledged engineering bachelors programs in fall 2016 and ABET accreditation will granted after the first class graduates in 2020, which will be retroactively applied to all graduates. Honestly, if it is in the range of affordability that you are looking for, I’d be inclined to look at UPJ than Ship if Pitt is an overall preference. Will end up being a Pitt degree with both Pitt and UPJ alumni resources.
http://www.upj.pitt.edu/en/academics/academic-divisions/engineering/Computer-engineering/
@wgmcp101 I wanted to thank you for suggesting Pitt Johnstown. We just went there for Admitted Students Day this past Friday and my son told me today that he wants to go there! He will receive $5,500 year in scholarships! It’s the next best option since we can’t afford Pitt Main. Thanks again!
@Collegefrazzled Congratulations! That is great that your son found what he is looking for. We have a friend whose son is at Pitt Johnstown in Engineering and he love it there. He liked the campus and environment better than the main campus in Oakland. My husband is a high school teacher in a more rural area near Pittsburgh, and he has had many students select Pitt Johnstown and thrived there. Best of luck to your son!!
Thank you! So glad to hear that
Based on the foregoing, I think I know the answer, but…
Wondering if anyone has insight on merit aid chances for an applicant with a great GPA but average test scores. My son (a junior) has a weighted GPA of 4.3 (almost all honors and AP classes at a good HS), but his SAT is an even 1200. He is taking the SAT again, but let’s say he dosen’t improve dramatically.
To me, this spells really bright, hard-working kid who just doesn’t test well, precisely the kind of student any university would want. But I’m biased!
What are the chances Pitt comes through with merit aid?
He might get merit at the branch, but not Pitt main. Depending on major, even acceptance at main would not be a given.