California Institute of Technology

Each year, the Scholarships and Financial Aid Committee recommends a number of the most academically-talented of the Institute’s freshmen, sophomores, and juniors for Upper Class Merit Awards. These awards are based on outstanding scholastic achievement and independent research since matriculating at Caltech, and are available regardless of financial need. The Committee will evaluate applications for merit awards by considering: applicant’s statement and supporting materials, documented achievement, faculty recommendations, and Caltech transcript. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their academic transcript with the Registrar’s Office prior to the application due date.

For those applicants who wish independent scholarship or research to be considered as a part of their application, the Committee will review a statement from the student that contains a brief summary of previous independent scholarship or research. Such a statement may be up to 500 words in length.

The distribution of awards will be determined by the caliber of applicants. We anticipate that about $1,000,000 will be awarded. Last year, 48 students were awarded Upper Class Merit Awards in amounts ranging from $5,000, to full tuition, room, and board.

Upper Class Merit Awards are made for one year. Students may reapply each year. The award proceeds will be credited to the recipient's student account in thirds for each term of enrollment. Students taking a sabbatical may request to have unused portions reserved for a maximum of one year. All awards are based on full-time enrollment for the fall, winter and spring terms. Award recipients will only receive Upper Class Merit Awards for the term(s) in which they are enrolled at least half-time. Recipients enrolled less than full-time in a term will have their awards pro-rated based on actual enrollment and/or tuition charged.

If an Upper Class Merit Award winner is receiving need-based financial aid, Federal regulations require that the Upper Class Merit Award be counted in the computation of financial need. The Award will be used first to reduce the loan and work ("self-help") component of the student's financial aid package. In most cases, this will eliminate the eligibility for the student to receive work-study or borrow during the academic year. Students not on financial aid may receive the full benefit of the award, and those whose current need-based aid is smaller than the Upper Class Merit Award will retain the amount by which the Merit Award exceeds their financial need. The total of all Caltech awards and outside scholarships may not exceed the total cost of attendance. [The underload policy applies to Upper Class Merit Awards.]