<p>I’m going to have to disagree that one has to be a NMF or that one has to have spectacular stats to get a full ride at a state university.</p>
<p>The presidential scholarships awarded last year at our state flagship university were not all NMF, nor even commended, although some were and I assume all had strong test scores. My son was offered a full ride, and he sounds a lot like the OP’s son. He followed his passion in high school, but did not have a lot of awards or leadership. Of those awarded presidential scholarships about 1/4 were from out of state. I think the essays were a huge determining factor.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>