Thanks everyone. Yeah, sounds like any merit would’ve come at the time of admission - as it has with ALL other schools that had any to give. 
And with not being eligible for state or federal aid, there’s probably nothing in the pot for us. I was hoping to appeal to them for “more” if they didn’t give us enough, given the amount of institutional grant money I know they disburse, but with no award letter, I can’t do that. And I guess that money is really for the neediest. Ho hum.
So, I guess it’s gonna come down to a school firmly in budget - which this one looks not to be - or a school one rung up with loans for the boy. Now, making that decision will be really tricky. Off to go work with the boy.
Thanks for the posts. 