Hey guys, I'm a senior looking to apply to Washington University in St. Louis soon, I'm just a bit lost on the scholarship side of things. Can anyone who has received a scholarship from WashU walk me through what you did, or, in general, how I can increase my chances of receiving financial aid?
WashU offers both merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. I'd recommend exploring both, to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid, but do be aware the application process for need-based vs merit-based aid varies.
For need-based aid, it's all about the FAFSA and CSS Profile. WashU meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students, so if your family’s financial circumstances qualify you for aid, you should receive an aid package that makes a WashU education affordable. Fill out these forms thoroughly, and don't hesitate to reach out to WashU's financial aid office if you have any questions.
For merit-based scholarships, you will need to submit extra materials, such as scholarship-specific essays, on top of your main WashU app. Do be aware that these scholarships are highly competitive, so make sure you take your time crafting the strongest application possible, just like you would to WashU itself.
If you want guidance on how to tackle the essays for WashU's various merit-based scholarships, I'd check out this comprehensive blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-washu-essays
In terms of increasing your chances for merit-based scholarships, one key is consistency. Maintain your academic performance and stay involved in your extracurriculars, so that WashU will see you're a student who will be involved in a wide range of ways. If you're going for the Danforth Scholarship, for example, WashU will be looking for students who've made a significant impact on their communities, so make sure you have experiences that demonstrate that quality.
Finally, don't forget to look beyond university-offered aid. There are numerous external scholarships available too. Don't discount smaller awards - they're often less competitive, and they can add up!
Good luck navigating through WashU's financial aid landscape!
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