And make sure everything is correct. Back in 2003, one of our kids got accepted to a college. Merit awards were supposed to come with acceptances. One of our kid’s friends got a large merit award and our kid with higher stats didn’t. We called…somehow a number on the kid’s SS (which was used at that time) was switched around. Because of this inconsistency, they had not awarded merit and would not have done need based either. BUT it was easily corrected…And our kid got the merit award.
In your case, I would just call and ask if/when merit awards are sent. If they have been sent, and awards are not guaranteed….your kid might not have received one.