Scholarship application--acceptance of offer

[cath2024]

So yesterday I got my first program acceptance (yay!), but it is to my safety school. Still yay, but I'm not sure if I will end up going there. If i had to say right now, I'd say probably not. In the email the department sent me, they mentioned that they are nominating me for a scholarship and asked me to fill out the required application, which includes writing a one-page essay about my future plans.

My question is this:

How should I respond to their email? I was planning on thanking them and saying that I would have the application back to them in the next few days. But does this imply that I will accept their offer should I get the scholarship? Should I make any mention at all about whether or not I will accept? I know that they must know I probably have other applications out, but since the funding process is different for MFAs than for PhDs (i.e. there usually isn't much if any funding for MFA programs) I'm not sure if my returning the application is a tacit acceptance. I know I don't *have* to go to any school, no matter what they think, I just don't want to be a jerk about this.

Thoughts?

[jackassjim]

But does this imply that I will accept their offer should I get the scholarship? Should I make any mention at all about whether or not I will accept?

No and No. Just make sure you read everything you sign carefully to make sure there is no hidden "I accept the offer" clause.