Divert your attention to applying to colleges that will give you good merit scholarships. Many of those outside scholarships are for one year only, and are smaller amounts.
The BEST merit scholarships are awarded by the colleges to which you get accepted…if they award merit aid (Harvard doesn’t…and I don’t believe Stanford does either).
But do look at the websites carefully. Some college merit awards require a complete application for admission by the end of November. Others require a completely separate scholarship application which also usually has a deadline that is early…usually by the end of November.
Don’t miss the deadlines…or you will miss out on these awards.
Thanks for the advise @thumper1 . I’m actually applying to a lot of those merit schools early (as in around this month) as to avoid deadlines. As they are" competitive merit" it is likely that many would not offer me scholarship, which is why I applied to a good number (as well as some very generous with financial aid). For example, I’m applying to USC and Purdue for example in hopes of getting some merit aid as a NMSF and relatively competitive applicant (some appear harder to win though, such as with Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt, since even admissions is so competitive).
That’s a reasonable policy. But people at the college will be reviewing your app and somebody is paying them. So those fee waivers you’re applying for are being frugal with your family’s money while asking others (the college and/or state) to be generous with theirs.
The best aid comes from the colleges, not outside sources, so run the Net Price Calculators to get an idea where you’ll get the best aid. Also check the financial aid forum for schools with guaranteed merit.
Thanks so much @“Erin’s Dad” . I missed that when I was looking at Purdue. I’ll find a school that is more likely to offer merit aid. @austinmshauri I appreciate your input but if you read further you would have seen that I discarded my idea for application fee waivers. My family will pay it app in full, except for the waivers I have been offered. I do not believe inquiring is necessarily wrong though. I will be filing the FAFSA and still seek aid as I consider such to be opportunities. @OHMomof2 Thanks for pointing it out. I have indeed looked over the list. I had considered them but I am generally looking into schools well regarded in my major so that internships and work will be easier to find.
Internships can also be about location, what’s nearby, and what relationships the college has with businesses and such in the area. You might be surprised.
I’ll be sure to keep your words in mind as I consolidate my college list @OHMomof2 . I’ll look at location and relationships with companies and hopefully I’ll find one that I like. Thanks so much for your advice!
Thumper1, I expect the fee waivers the OP is talking about from SATs are those spammy emails offering preferred status/free applications. My daughters got a bunch and will probably take advantage of one or two.