nyu merit based

aldonn0906 · 11-02-2009, 08:29 AM

2170 SAT... chances of merit based aid at NYU? what do you think?

Erin's Dad · 11-02-2009, 12:44 PM

We don't even know if you'll get in with those scores. What about GPA, recs, ECs, essays?

bonnie419 · 11-03-2009, 01:25 AM

There are very few merit-based scholarships awarded. The SAT score is not high enough to make an award likely.

sueinphilly · 11-03-2009, 05:24 AM

NYU gives mostly NEED based aid, not merit based. What is your EFC?

londonb · 11-03-2009, 07:04 AM

Only 4% of this year's freshmen received merit aid.

R124687 · 11-03-2009, 07:36 AM

Also, probably depends on the school within NYU. I saw the stats of someone who was a ... Presidential Scholar (?...forget the exact name) at Steinhardt and their stats were not really very high. BUT, that was only to qualify for the "honors regime", not for aid. They did get some aid but I don't think it was much. Whereas, at Stern, for example, I'm sure the stats would have to be much higher than say for Tisch, where your "merit" award will be more apt to be a "talent" award. And...one standardized score does not stand alone in their decision making process to determine the "top 4% of the class"..I ASSUME. In addition, they're pretty sneaking about their money...they seem to combine an applicant's merit and need, then decide the amount they want to give and call it what they want.
Take all this with a grain of salt - just heresay.

uskoolfish · 11-11-2009, 10:14 AM

True merit aid at NYU is not common...as a poster said it is given to about 4% of students. When I refer to true merit aid I mean aid to someone who does not qualify for any financial aid...their EFC is above the cost of the school. People will say they get merit aid in their financial aid package, but that is only given when there is need. It is not true merit aid, as they probably would not get it (or that amt) without showing need.

That said, some schools in NYU do award merit aid without need. But it does depend on the school. Tisch gives talent merit aid to their top admits talent-wise (theatre/ film etc.) Steinhardt has talent merit aid as well (music/art.) CAS gives to some outstanding scholars (like Seiman's finalists, etc.) Not sure about Gallatin. Stern, to my knowledge, gives out no merit aid.

Some honors programs throughout NYU used to give out merit aid, but I believe that has changed. D is in Steinhardt Scholars and does not get merit aid through the program. (She does receive a talent merit aid scholarship as a vocal performance major.)

You need to call admissions at the school you are applying to find out the latest, most accurate information. They will at least be able to tell you whether merit aid exists for the program you are applying for.

hmom5 · 11-11-2009, 01:47 PM

NYU seems to practice hybrid aid, giving money to those in need with the greatest merit.

R124687 · 11-11-2009, 02:02 PM

hmom...have you heard this term before? If not...I think you just coined a new phrase! Hybrid-aid.

Because that is PRECISELY what NYU does.

hmom5 · 11-11-2009, 05:18 PM

I am thankful to finally have invented something!

uskoolfish · 11-11-2009, 07:14 PM

hmom..I agree and like your explanation of their financial aid policy. Some of D's friends have discussed their big talent merit awards...larger than D's merit award...and when D felt bad that her award was less (meanin gless talent in her eyes?) I had to remind her that they were talking about a different type of merit aid (one that is need based.)

sueinphilly · 11-12-2009, 04:10 PM

I think that is what NYU did for my son. Clearly there was need, my EFC is 12K, and clearly his stats had merit, starting with an SAT of 2250 (math 790, reading 740). He's in CAS as a junior and his scholarship has gone up 1K and 2k each successive year.

I think NYU's money has been well spent on my son, he's been on the Dean's list his first 2 years (although a specific GPA is not, AFAIK, a stipulation of continuing his scholarship).

I have 3 more semesters to pay for, last fafsa in January 2010. I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as paying for college!

R124687 · 11-13-2009, 09:16 AM

Oh SueinPhilly... that "light" sounds SO good! My D dreams of NYU but we're in the Netherland that exists between a college THINKING we can pay, and our real ABILITY to pay (due to my owning a business and having to pay 40% taxes on what LOOKS like income because it's an S corp, etc.). So I was HOPING for the biggest scholarship (D should be eligible for CAS honors, but I just don't think there will be much money involved for her, and...even that top dollar amount ($25000 which has now morphed into about $32000 I think) will only make it BARELY manageable for us. Then...I couldn't afford anything for grad school so I'm just not sure it's worth it. And it's scary to commit, in today's economy. I'm watching businesses close left and right. But...we'll cross that bridge if she's accepted. So...congrats on making it to the downhill side of this slippery slope.

sueinphilly · 11-13-2009, 11:34 AM

my son got 30K his first year, 31K his second and now 32K as a junior. he's taking out 2400 in perkins loans each year and the max subsidized stafford each year, meaning he'll have close to 30K in debt. My EFC is about 12K and I figure my total out of pocket costs will be close to 60K over 4 years. That represents about 80% of all the cash I had saved by 2 decades of frugal living that saw my income go from 13K to 72K. I was technically out of work the first 18 months of my son's life and was on welfare when I got the job I have now. I have never been to college and I lived like a pauper to save the money I am paying to NYU.

mom2collegekids · 11-13-2009, 12:08 PM

>>>>
NYU seems to practice hybrid aid, giving money to those in need with the greatest merit.
<<<<<

Santa Clara does this, too. I think it's just their way of making sure that they don't award the few "big merits" they offer to kids who can afford to pay on their own.