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When we started the college applications process, my conclusion was that we will not qualify for any need based aid. Hence, I decided to focus on merit based aid. Two kids I know (valedictorian and salutatorian in the same high school) applied to several universities, some common ones. I was surprised at how much the merit aid varied from school to school for the two of them. [Of course, they had other differences in their package - in almost everything, the val was couple of notches above the sal; for instance, he was an NMS Finalist and had taken more advanced courses.] The reason of course is the school policies.

1. The val was an NMS Finalist and got several full rides as a result.

2. In one LAC, they got identical amounts. The merit aid caps at about 35% of total costs. Both got the highest amount. There was a competitive exam for about $2000/year. Neither did well on this. Conceivably, the sal could have got this and not the val.

3. At a state U, the val got more than 50% of total costs. The sal got almost nothing.

amd

By Theparents (Theparents) on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 02:52 pm: Edit

hi amd-- this is amy reporting that we encountered the same thing here. We were amazed at the different forms of aid offers from different schools. they varied from zero (state u.) to 2/3 tuition "merit-in-need" offer+ subs.loan+work study at a "famous" midwest u. Other LAC's offered grants or merit in varying amounts. All of the colleges were aware that applicant was "bringing" parents' employee benefit funding also. Maybe they were more generous because of this knowledge? Or maybe they were less generous. We'll never know. the student in question is merit commended, but not finalist.

By Dadster on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 04:05 pm: Edit

Despite its potentially bogus nature, valedictorian status can be special at some unselective colleges - even an automatic full ride. (I say potentially bogus due mostly to unweighted grade environments that can allow mediocre students to be valedictorian, and that can result in 10, 15, or more valedictorians.)

By Theparents (Theparents) on Sunday, May 19, 2002 - 06:54 pm: Edit

We have those multiple valedictorians in our high schools too. Our local paper in its eternal quest for novelty made the valedictorian of the "alternative" dropout program the centerpiece of an article on high ranking high schoolers. All the top ranked students of the "regular" schools received no individual mention of any of their achievements--just a group picture.