<p>Wonder if anyone could share their experiences for merit-based financial aid at PSU. </p>
<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Hispanic, mother born in Mexico
Attending a competitive Texas High School, top 3%. Heavy honors/AP course load
GPA 3.77 unweighted; 4.92 weighted.
AP Courses: 3 by end of junior year, 8 by graduation
PSAT: 213 (missed NM cutoff, however I am a National Hispanic Scholar).
First SAT: 2190 (1510 M+CR)
Debate team captain; National Honor Society; Student Council Vice President for Junior class, wrestling.</p>
<p>In talking with my parents, it seems that they can help me with up to $10k a year. Our EFC will probably not yield any need based financial aid. I will really look hard at schools that reward National Hispanic scholars. I would like to minimize the need for loans as much as I can. Thanks in advance for your help. </p>
<p>All comments to help me take the next steps are truly appreciated.</p>
<p>We also had heard that Penn St doesn’t offer much aid, and I tend to agree with that general statement in most cases. My son applied knowing that there was a good chance he wouldn’t be able to attend (but hoping for the best). It doesn’t hurt to apply and see what happens. It luckily worked out for my son as he ended up with the Bunton Waller Fellowship and has full tuition covered all 4 years. You’ll never know unless you try. That said, make sure you have back ups in case the aid doesn’t happen.</p>
<p>ljr- just curious what were your son’s “stats” to be awarded the Bunton Waller Fellowship? And do you happen to know how many students receive the award in a typical year? Do you have to apply for it?</p>
<p>My son was invited to apply for the fellowship. You receive a letter in the mail saying you were chosen to apply and giving you the info and dates due etc. The application included an essay. He won his through the College of Engineering - I think they awarded 4. When we were at the Bunton Waller welcome/parents meeting at the start of school, it looked like maybe 30-40 winners total? Maybe 50, it was hard to tell with them all lined up around the room. There was a pretty decent number though. Each college had their quota - plus I remember they also had a few students who won it even though they were “undecided”. My son didn’t receive the invitation to apply until early to mid March and I remember he found out that he won it right before his spring break (end of March I think). He was accepted in November so he had a long 4 months waiting to see whether he’d get money and be able to attend or not.</p>
<p>He had a 4.3 weighted GPA - SAT scores were 1920. He had all the typical sports, clubs, and volunteering. </p>