<p>I have heard that the out of state (I am in NY) colleges that offer competitive full ride scholarships prefer applicants from their own state. Anyone have any opinions on whether it makes sense to try for those? Sounds like, all else being equal, an applicant from Alabama (as an example) would win out over an applicant from NY for the Alabama full ride- is that accurate?</p>
<p>There is no full ride at Alabama. There are full tuition scholarships. They are automatic based on ACT scores and GPA. The ACT score required for each scholarship (Full tuition, 2/3 tuition, 1/2 tuition) is lower for in-state applicants than out-of-state applicants. Compare yourself - <a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/in-state.html”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/in-state.html</a> and <a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out-of-state.html”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out-of-state.html</a></p>
<p>Alabama, as most public schools, has a preference for in-state applicants, because their taxes contribute to the school. Because they are automatic, there is no “winning out” as you’re not competing. If you meet the minimum requirements for a desired scholarship, go for it. But if you’re a senior, the (priority?) deadline for Alabama has passed; it was December 15.</p>
<p>@artie1 Your child may make NMSF and NMF. If so, then he gets the big scholarship at Bama no matter which state he’s from.</p>
<p>tuition for 5 years
1 year of housing
3500 per year stipend</p>
<p>and if the student is an eng’g or CS major, he gets an add’l 2500 per year…so nearly a free ride.</p>
<p>the deadline for NMF’s at Bama has NOT passed. That deadline is April 30</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. Alabama is listed under the Competitive Full Ride thread- I did not read the details- was just using it as an example. I am looking at the general principle of whether it makes sense to apply for full ride scholarships at schools outside of your home state and how much of a chance a top student has of landing those.</p>
<p>Alabama is also listed under the Automatic full tuition/full ride thread and the NMF thread too for those respective scholarships. The one in the competitive list is competitive but all ones in those lists are available to OOS students.</p>
<p>I would say the less competitive the school the better the chances.</p>
<p>@artie1 Some might say that for competitive free-rides or even competitive free-tuition awards might be harder to get at a public if you’re OOS state. It’s harder to give an OOS student $100k plus to cover the OOS tuition rather than give an instate student $40k for the same award. </p>
<p>But, some schools will award regardless of home state.</p>
<p>Thanks- my son is a Junior and has a shot at the NMSF but not assured (received a 220 on PSAT in NY) so looking at any full tuition or full rides he has a decent shot at (sorry for dangling participle).</p>
<p>^ Unless we’re reading an essay, I don’t think too many CCers are grammar police. 
</p>
<p>Alabama DOES have a full ride scholarship:</p>
<p><a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/elite.html”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/elite.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.buffalo.edu/costs/meritscholarships.php”>http://admissions.buffalo.edu/costs/meritscholarships.php</a></p>
<p>UBuffalo has full rides too. Also, if you are a STEM major and in the upper 10% of your class, you get a full tution award with conditions. That with any other awards, Direct Loans can come close to full cost.</p>
<p>Thanks Cpt- I was aware of both of those but do you know how many full rides UB offers? It looks like a competitive scholarship? </p>
<p>I had looked at Pitt too and in a previous thread ( ayear or so ago) someone mentioned they give only about 8-10 a year. </p>