<p>I think many people were expecting more merit aid than they received this year. Keep in mind, however, that application rates were up by 45%, so there is much more competition for a limited number of merit awards. I was awarded $28,000 dollars a year merit aid last year, (Provost) plus a national merit scholarship of $2,000 a year. My scores were 2300 SAT, SAT II 800 physics, 760 math II, and an ACT of 34. I took 12 AP tests and courses, with 11 5s and 1 4. I believe I was fairly typical of the the students who received the larger merit awards, and I am sure they are harder to come by this year. What is the name of the $20,000 scholarship this year? My award is called the Trustee’s scholarship. I believe it is the highest grant amount short of the endowed full scholarships, so that should reveal whether the highest merit aid amount has gone down.</p>