General, Special Competition/Application Scholarships?

FauxNom
Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:16:51 +0000

I’m sorry to hear that Davidson had to cut back on merit aid. IMO, the generous merit aid is one of the things that is most attractive about it, and sets it apart from other highly regarded LACs that offer only need-based aid. I hope things turn up before my D applies!

Based on what I’ve read about enrollment management, a school’s bottom line can benefit when it lures great students with a tuition discount; even if the family can theoretically pay full price, many won’t. But with a discount of even $10k or so, the college can try to bring in a student with the means to pay the other $40k - and that’s a really good student to have there for 4 years. It would be a shame if Davidson backed too far off of an excellent merit aid program.