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Scholarships and Financial Aid Category

Vanderbilt Merit Awards

Aug. 11, 2010—In the past year I stumbled across a news story which reported that many American high school students expected scholarships to cover part or most of their college costs.  As a counselor, I find this mentality alarming!  While some students will receive smaller denomination scholarships from individual institutions and/or community organizations, only a fraction of...

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Need-Based Financial Aid at Vanderbilt

Aug. 9, 2010—Talking about need-based financial aid is one of my least favorite tasks as an admissions counselor.  My students and their families hear the sticker price and absorb little of the discussion that follows.  But stay with me through this conversation.  Those who tune me out are often those who would benefit the most from Vanderbilt’s...

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Signature Merit Scholarships Announced Today

Mar. 5, 2010—Beginning today, we will notify recipients of the Cornelius Vanderbilt and Chancellor’s Scholarship awards by both e-mail and letter. Applicants who were not selected for either program will only receive an e-mail notification. A total of 42 Chancellor’s Scholarship and 139 Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship offers have been made.

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Service Work at Vanderbilt

Feb. 16, 2010—During high school I was president of a service organization. As a RA in college I was required to coordinate monthly service projects that the women on my floor would find engaging. Service work was a fairly regular part of life. However, when I started graduate studies I found myself repeatedly finding reasons why I...

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Greetings from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships

Dec. 10, 2009—I hope this entry finds you having a great holiday season! I just wanted to provide a brief update regarding processing for both merit and need-based financial assistance. Please remember, visit our financial aid website should you have any questions regarding financial assistance at Vanderbilt.  Also, you may send questions via e-mail to finaid@vanderbilt.edu. Ingram...

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Pan Flute Simplicity

Oct. 16, 2009—It's true, Vanderbilt's applications have grown (+73% in five years). A natural reaction is to try and find someway to stand out in the crowd. But for us, at the heart of the holistic review is an understanding of you - your past accomplishments, what you care about, and drives your curiosities. In each of these things - simplicity is a supreme virtue.

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Scholarship Information for Seniors

Sep. 21, 2009—Seniors on our Vanderbilt mailing list will be receiving information this week and next week about our scholarship and financial aid process. If your head is already swimming in dates and deadlines, then I apologize up front, because here comes some more.

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I've Been Admitted – Now What?: April Edition

Mar. 31, 2009—The letters have gone and been received by most across the country. Usually at this point, the readership of our blog becomes a little segmented depending on which envelope you received from us. The informational needs of each of the different groups certainly keep us busy enough to fill the time vacated by less reading. My hope this week is to provide some "what now" information to our admitted students (today) and our waitlisted students (later this week). For students who were denied and who wish to appeal our decision, see the comments section from the last post (3/26) for details about that process.

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New "Insider's Guide to Financial Aid" Video Just Released

Mar. 5, 2009—Our Insider's Guide to Admissions video received such great feedback from students and parents that we've filmed a sequel. This short video outlines in simple terms the ins and outs of financial aid with Doug Christiansen, Vanderbilt's Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions.

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Late Afternoon Scholarship Update: 2009 Ingram Scholars Announced

Feb. 20, 2009—More merit-based scholarship news out of Vanderbilt. Late this afternoon, the Ingram Scholarship Program announced the 19 newest Ingram Scholars for the incoming class of 2009.

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Update on Merit Scholarships

Feb. 20, 2009—The following was posted this afternoon on the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Honors Scholarship website: To our Scholarship Applicants: I just wanted to provide a brief update regarding the selection process for the Cornelius Vanderbilt and Chancellor's Scholarship selections.

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The ED & Financial Aid Quandary

Oct. 16, 2008—We got a really good question about Early Decision & fin aid from Talha and I thought I would answer it here instead of replying over email. “Hey bloggers, I was wondering wheather (sic) applying early decision to Vander-awsome-bilt would affect at all the financial need of a student/family. I know that once you are accepted...

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