Yes, my son was waitlisted TE at Villanova and I was told that if he deposited he would remain on the waitlist in order for his sophomore year. He was awarded TE the last 3 years (and the first year his FA was similar to TE w/o the housing bonus)
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Looks like that changed at Villanova “ Tuition Exchange Scholarships are awarded at the point of initial enrollment as a first-year student to Villanova University. Students not selected for the scholarship as a first-year student will not be eligible for the Tuition Exchange Merit Scholarship in successive years while enrolled at Villanova University. ”
It doesn’t help that the rules change constantly
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That is true - my experience is from 4+ years ago. I think Villanova changed their policy recently because no first years were getting awards anymore
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Right, those ranges were listed for every school on the old TE website, and some still show it on the new site (most don’t). Maybe it’s because it fluctuates so much from year to year. From meeting with TE liaisons face to face and asking about these numbers (at each of the schools for which we applied) in our experience the <10% schools are really ~1-3% range. The 10-40% schools are at the lower end of that range, but again, it fluctuates from year to year. Our one school where we’re waitlisted was listed last fall as 10-40% (on the new TE website), then late last year it was changed to <10%, now it actually just says 1%!
I believe under the hood of the TE - a school can always import as many as they want, but can’t export more than they import. Actually they CAN export more than import, temporarily, for a year or two, and this runs a “negative” credit balance running into the next year. If the school is negative for N number of years in a row (3 or 4 I think?) - they go on something of a “suspension” until they slowly regain balance. This is how I’ve been told it works by someone on the “inside” and confirmed it once in some research material I found from digging deep for TE documentation. So, it’s hard to say on a given year where each school is on maintaining their balance.
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The ranges can be incorrect in the other direction too. The Pennsylvania SLAC I mentioned we visited was “10%-40%” on the old TE website but their admissions officer said they basically give it to everyone who applies for it.
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Yep, that is also true indeed.
Does anyone’s portal say denied-other? Exactly what does that mean, according to the website it says the reason is outside of academic or export requirements. We clearly expressed her school was the number 1 choice.
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For Duquesne? My daughter’s portal says this as well.
We got an email from Duquesne a few moments ago, telling us we didn’t get TE. We also showed lots of interest in the school (toured, attended DUQ day, sent emails, and signed up for admitted students days).
So sorry for your child, I tell mine things happen for a reason.
I appreciate it, I am sorry for your child too. It stinks that the result of TE can eliminate your child’s #1 college choice. My daughter knew Duquesne’s TE is very competitive, but we had hope since she showed lots of interest and was invited to the honors college. She is pretty confident that she’s attending a non-TE school but I don’t want to completely eliminate Duquesne (her #1 choice) yet. My spouse and I are planning on scheduling a meeting with Duquesne’s financial office to see if we could somehow make it work. Making a college decision should be exciting for students, and I want my daughter to be 100% satisfied with the college she commits to.
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I’m sorry your child didn’t get TE at their first choice. Has the college given you their full financial aid/merit aid info? I don’t know about Duquesne, but I know some of the other TE colleges have been known to give aid equivalent to TE, especially if they know it’s the difference between attending or going elsewhere. My friend’s son, for example, was denied at RIT, but they gave him a package with a combination of grants/scholarships that ended up being a little more than TE would have been.
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She received a yearly merit scholarship of 27k but that still leaves ~35k a year (remaining tuition cost & housing and food). Thank you for informing me on this though, definitely useful info for our virtual financial meeting this week.
Sorry to hear it as well - we know how you feel as our son was waitlisted at his top choices.
We haven’t had any luck asking for more aid (after denial of TE) but something also worth asking would be if they prioritize TE applications for current students for the 2nd year (over new applicants). Nearly half the schools we applied for TE told us that they do this! It would mean you pay for the first year (the ~$35k in your case), but have another chance at TE for the other 3 years (a much better chance…which is key). For us, this is kind of a bitter sweet thing to know. It’s nice as a possibility for 3/4 years, yet, still not a sure thing… and if you don’t get it the 2nd time, you’re on the hook for all 4 years unless the student transfers.
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Wish you the best. If it doesn’t work out there, I hope she finds a place she loves.
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Be sure to mention TE awards at any other schools during your meeting. I agree that sometimes schools will match or come close to TE with other scholarships, especially if they know that their aid is coming in less than other schools that are #2 for your daughter.
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Waitlisted at Loyola Chicago. Not too broken up because they are a “set rate” school. Anyone else?
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Didn’t make the application list bc it was a set rate school… weirdly I’ve never been on that campus (lifelong Chicagoan)
It’s a beautiful campus, right on the lake. But yes that set rate stinks! Also for me in the suburbs, the drive to get to it seems so much worse compared to driving to DePaul. Fingers still crossed here for DePaul!!!
I’m a class of 28 parent and wanted to give you all a little hope if you wind up on the wait list for Duquesne. My son last year was 17th on the wait list for TE at Duquesne. In early JUNE (after committing to the home institution), we got a call from Duquesne offering him a TE spot. He accepted - super late in the game. Keep emailing and showing interest.
It’s a crazy journey and really hard at times. Keep the faith and just know some decisions will be very late!
Good luck!!!
ETA: we were told there were 8 spots for TE at Duquesne last year - and they received 200+ applications
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Quick reminder - or first notification for some:
There’s an amazing spreadsheet started a few years ago by another parent where we can view past years’ self-reported student stats and outcomes. It is not perfect, but a nice set of data points in an otherwise opaque process. Please don’t mess with the formatting if you’re not sure what you’re doing, but be sure to add your students’ profiles and outcomes to help coach each other and those that come after us!
Edit: I do not own the sheet, so you’ll have to request access from the owner. Please be polite 
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