<p>You might take a look at the University of Iowa. It has a well respected writing program and Iowa schools are not too expensive even for OOS students. </p>
<p>(As a Cyclone, it really kills me to recommend Iowa.)</p>
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<p>Since there is already a glut of english teachers to the point that some cities have a hiring freeze for them, I would not count on her “having” to become an english teacher (in this economy, it is hard to get any kind of teaching job unless you are coming through TFA).</p>
<p>Sewanee has made an effort to control costs, but they’ve been cutting back merit aid at the same time. Four years ago the average merit aid award was >$17K and last year it was <$10K.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with everything parentofpeople said and am curious to know the answer to his/her question about whether or not you have saved anything for college? Especially given your statement that you would have to work an additional five years in order for your dd to attend $60K per year school. Has an income level of $400,000 per year only been reached recently?</p>
<p>Do you just have the two daughters or are there more children coming along behind them?</p>
<p>Bob Wallace, I would not put Notre Dame in the list of big merit money. Notre Dame has VERY LIMITED merit money…only the very exceptional kids get merit money…very few.
They are quite generous with need.</p>
<p>OP, what are your daughter’s stats? That may help with suggestions…</p>
<p>Most of the schools listed have limited merit money.</p>
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<p>The tippy top (Ivy etc) schools offer little or no merit schoolarships. They are more generous than other for need-based financial aid, but that will not help you at $400K income level. In fact, it does not help the families with incomes less than half of that. </p>
<p>For a student with top stats, there are a lot of other schools that offer merit scholarships. They may or may not be a better fit than state flagship. Good luck.</p>
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<p>To cut to the chase, the answer is no.</p>
<p>Merit aid is a marketing tool.
Highly selective schools do not need to offer anyincentives.</p>
<p>UVa also should not be in the list in post #22 as giving 'big merit aid." Aid is primarily need based. There are about 30 or so Jefferson Scholarships each year but these are administered by a private Foundation, not UVa.</p>
<p>Some posters don’t seem to understand the question that was posed. The question was, “What are the best schools where student might be able to get enough merit aid to reduce cost to $30K or less?” UVa and Notre Dame should be on such a list. The odds are not good, but the OP didn’t ask for good odds.</p>
<p>Sorry, the post that mentioned UVa was #18, not 22. UVa does not administer the Jefferson(around 31 given each year for well over 3000 first year students by the Jefferson Foundation, NOT UVa).
So, yes , technically a student with parents making $400,000 a year could get big money, non need based to go to UVa, but the Jefferson would not be coming from UVa. The odds are miniscule in getting this as the selection process is based on regions,etc. and is quite involved.</p>
<p>There may be a few non need based small scholarships here and there for specific things or from a department but aid is primarily need based.
So, for this particular family, UVa would not work. OOS admissions are also very tough and of course, they may have no interest in the school anyway.</p>
<p>I’m guessing if the OP’s daughter were able to win the full ride scholarship to UVa, they wouldn’t be too distressed about where the money came from. :-)</p>
<p>UVa gives merit aid to 11% of freshmen, according to their CDS:</p>
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<p>Most of the scholarships and grants at UVa also have a need based component in addition to an academic merit component. [U.Va</a>. Financial Aid - Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/financialaid/scholarships.php]U.Va”>http://www.virginia.edu/financialaid/scholarships.php) . Surprised the CDS indicates that many with no financial need so that is interesting.
The OP will probably have better success in focusing on schools that give out more non need based merit like Pitt, Alabama,etc. since it is unlikely they will be able to demonstrate any financial need (if they do not want to pay the full cost of most private schools).</p>
<p>Here is a set of useful tables that show top schools for merit aid. Look at % receiving non-need aid **and **the average amount received.
Publics -
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Public Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php]Kiplinger’s”>Best College Values, 2019 | Kiplinger)
Private Universities -
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Private Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php]Kiplinger’s”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php)
Private LACs -
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Private Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code]Kiplinger’s”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code)=ALL&id=none</p>
<p>entomom - Sorry. I’m new to the terms. Are you saying that a school can be need blind, but they also may give some grants etc. regardless of income? That’s a hopeful thought. :)</p>
<p>parentofpeople - You’ve hit exactly on what I’m trying to do. She’s very bright and loves academic challenge. She came home crying in the 9th grade when her English teacher reviewed nouns. The trouble is the most academically rigorous schools don’t seem to offer any merit scholarships because everybody is that smart. Similarly they all seem to be priced at $60k, which I just can’t bring myself to pay. 240k vs 40k. Is the difference in education worth 200k of AFTER tax money, which means we have to earn 400k of money above and beyond our normal expenses, and this is just one of the children and not including graduate school? I’m hard pressed to think it is.</p>
<p>We do have about $50k in a 529 plan. We haven’t tapped it yet. #1 child at U of MD loaded COA is about 22k and we’ve managed to pay from cash flow. We’re saving the 529 as long as possible. The 400k is misleading too. We didn’t always make 400k and we started a company and then bought out my partner. We had to pay much more than 400k to buy him out, thus 400k is just one half of the ledger. We’ve FINALLY paid all that off and can start saving! Yay!</p>
<p>Very similar indeed! Good luck. If you discover that any of those great schools offer solid merit scholarships please let me know. Thanks!</p>
<p>ucbalumnus - So far she’s all fiction when it comes to writing. She used to read only fantasy action-type books but now that she’s older she soaks up everything. She loves the classics. One of her favorite writers is Cicero. </p>
<p>Honestly, I think if we can find her the right college and she explores things I wouldn’t be surprised if she gravitates to something else, but keeps the solid writing skills as a foundation. Dunno. #1 hopped all over the place and is finally settling on “something in business…”</p>
<p>Hoggirl - We’ve been making the 400k for a while, but paying off a 550k biz loan. Just last year we paid off the loan and the house. Hooray! Have about 50k aside in 529.</p>
<p>gosmom - #1 D is already in U of MD and very happy. #2 is rising jr. and hasn’t taken SATs yet. PSATs show she should come in around low 700s in each category. She’s #6 in her class of 400. 4.0 unweighted gpa with max APs, etc. I can’t recall her exact weighted gpa. Her ECs are pretty good, but she’s only been at school for 2 years so I think that will improve. (Am I OP? What does that stand fo?) Thx!</p>