I already have a decent chance of getting some need-based aid, but I was wondering which of my schools would give me merit scholarships, as everything helps. The schools I’m applying to as of now are Tulane, U Miami (Coral Gables), Cornell, Georgia Tech, and Emory. Any input helps! Thanks guys 
good luck in your college app processes!
What is your unweighted GPA? Cornell has no merit aid. Georgia Tech, Tulane, UMiami (is Coral Gables the main campus?), and Emory are all crazy competitive for what little merit is offered. Tulane and UMiami are likely your best shots.
@CourtneyThurston my unweighted is at a 3.7 not including my senior year grades since we’re still in our first quarter. I also had 4 AP’s and an IB last year as well as 1 of each this year if that makes a difference.
Coral gables is the main campus
Some significant awards may require a 3.75 UW.
If you are not instate GA Tech won’t offer you need or merit aid. You will most likely be full pay.
I think you need to apply to Tulane EA? Check their website for merit information. Also they care about demonstrated interest.
You might want to add some more schools where your stats fall into the 75% percentile or higher.
What is your home state?
University of Miami does a holistic review to determine scholarships, you really can’t predict UofM scholarships just based on stats. The other aspects of your application, like extra-curriculars, will matter too. My D had a 33 ACT and a 4.0 unweighted GPA and last year, she received a $25K merit scholarship. She was very involved, lots of ec’s and leadership. It looks like UofM hasn’t posted its 2016 class profile, but for 2015 - 63% were ranked in the top 10% and 44% in the top 5%. Their mid-range ACT was 28-32. So…if you’re in the top 5-10% of your class, I would guess that you’ll get some merit scholarship money from UofM. You can plug your stats into their Net Price Calculator to get an estimate.
Are you from GA or FL? If from FL, you’d also get a $3000 state grant, and be eligible for $3-4000 from Bright Futures. In GA, the Hope of Zell Miller. Although those scholarships seem small, they really add up and help.
Yes, some states give extra aid so it might be smart to stay instate.
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but I am an African American woman from a relatively low class family.
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You need a list that will get you the aid or merit you need.
If you already expect a great deal of need based aid the merit aid will be irrelevant, as any need based aid is normally reduced by merit. You should run NPCs and focus on schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need. For example, if college X determines your need at 40k, and then they give you a 20k merit scholarship you don’t get 60k-you still get 40k. Since they have given you 20k, you no longer “need” 40k you only need 20k additional. Merit aid is beneficial for higher income because if someone’s need is 5k and they get a 20k merit scholarship they are still ahead by 15k.