what is union like?

<p>I have been looking at union for a while now and I would just like to know what other people think of union. From what I have seen on the website and other websites, union seems like a very nice college with a good science department. And does anyone know what kind of scholarships they give out?</p>

<p>My son likes it a lot. If you can specify a bit more what you are after, I and others can ive you better input.</p>

<p>Went there with S on one of their visit days. The most merit money they said they give out is 10K/year. I asked twice to make sure. They encourage double majors. I really liked the college. S thought it was too small.</p>

<p>Momhippo-
I'm not too sure about that number. Union was very generous with my daughter and merit money last year . . . . try more than twice as much</p>

<p>Sorry to ask a silly question but is "merit" money given out without the need to demonstrate "financial need".</p>

<p>The admisson person giving the talk definitely said 10K/yr max for merit money. Some colleges mix what they call "merit" money with need-based aid. Maybe Union is also doing that.</p>

<p>Thanks. I was trying to figure out whether you have to apply for merit money like you have to apply for need based money or whether they just put a merit package together without asking for it.</p>

<p>All I can tell you is that my daughter DEFINITELY received more than 10K in money offered for her merit. &lt;/p>

<p>Now, we did fill out financial aid forms but we didn't apply for a specific merit scholarship, it was offered to her with her admission package. She was also offered at admission an opportunity to additionally apply for a select scholarship (which she was fortunate enough to be offered). Union was extremely generous to us and it was VERY difficult to turn it down.</p>

<p>My advice is to apply to Union if you like the school, we found them to be extremely generous if they want you as a student.</p>

<p>Thanks. My son definitely loves Union but we definitely will not qualify for financial aid. So, if I understand you correctly. merit aid is given absent financial need?</p>

<p>Yes, merit aid is given absent financial need. (My d got some.) Amounts vary.</p>

<p>Thanks. That is exactly what I wanted to know.</p>

<p>here are some facts about their financial aid on their webpage:
64% of the applicants to Union also applied for financial aid.
Of this group, 95% were awarded Union scholarships.
2% fell into the low-need or self-help category.
Only 3% were determined to have sufficient family resources to be able to afford Union without aid.
The average Union-provided scholarship was more than $18,000.
The average total aid package was more than $24,000
This year 68 percent of the freshman class received aid.</p>

<p>They offered me a very good financial aid package and seem to offer a lot of their own money in the form of grants that you do not need to pay back.
[url=<a href="http://www.union.edu/Admissions/Financial_Aid/programs.php%5DPrograms%5B/url"&gt;http://www.union.edu/Admissions/Financial_Aid/programs.php]Programs[/url&lt;/a&gt;]
that link brings you to a list of all the forms of aid they offer you. they mention that most of the aid is based on need but they do have merit-aid anywhere from 5,000-10,000 that you do not need to apply for separately. </p>

<p>is there anything specific about union you wanted to know about other than financial aid?</p>

<p>Son (graduated '07) was awarded a Presidential scholarship of $20,000+. We had applied for financial aid but this was much more than we would have been eligible for. Also, when we received the letter I called Admissions and was told that the amount would not be lowered, regardless of changes in our financial situation. (Amount never went up, either, though tuition did.)</p>

<p>My son's a junior now - he received merit aid without applying for any financial aid - one day a letter about the Presidential scholarship simply appeared</p>

<p>Thanks. Does Union offer merit aid for all attendees irrespective of financial need or are some folks paying full freight?</p>

<p>Some folks are definitely paying full freight. We were told that merit aid was only offered to the incoming freshman who met certain scholastic standards- I don't know where they set the bar, though.</p>

<p>I believe that the Presidential Scholarship is the standard "merit" scholarship. When my son entered in September '05, it was $12,000 per year for all 4 years. That amount was lowered to $10,000 per year for entering freshmen - the amount will remain fixed once the award is granted.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>I think plenty of people are paying full freight. reading this message board, you would think everyone gets a scholarship!</p>

<p>That's what I wanted to know.</p>

<p>Does anyone know when are you informed of if you were awarded merit $$$. Is it with the acceptance letter or later - if later when? Thanks</p>