Applying ED and merit aid

NJres
Sat, 17 Dec 2005 12:54:08 +0000

This topic has probably been discussed to death previously and elsewhere, but I can’t find those discussions and never paid attention. This came up recently when my wife interviewed (alumni interview) a truly outstanding young lady who had applied ED to a very good college that does offer merit aid. Not only did she have great stats, but excellent ECs and a terrific engaging attitude. My wife was thoroughly impressed and wrote a glowing report. I don’t think she needed any ED advantage to get accepted. Apparently she just loves the school and wants to get the process over with. I wondered if the candidate by applying ED had missed the opportunity to receive merit aid. I know the college offers merit aid strategically to woo exceptional students. By applying ED this student has already commited to attend, with or without merit aid. My wife told me that given the family’s financial situation it won’t be an issue, but it still seems a shame to me to pass up potential scholarships. So how do you deal with potential merit aid when applying ED? (Obviously not an issue with Ivies and other schools that only offer need-based aid)