Colleges with Good Merit Aid

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So far I haven't really been thinking about this stuff (I don't qualify for need-based aid), but now I think I should start looking into colleges that will give me merit aid - why pay full freight if I don't go to one of my top choices? I live in New York, so I'm looking for schools around or above the level of Binghamton and Stony Brook, seeing as I can go to those schools for 6k...
I consider myself an ivy-caliber student (3.99 gpa UW, took the jan sat and definitely got above 2350) and I would like to know which good schools give nice merit aid for these stats. I'm a female interested in science if that helps.</p>

2

<p>Small LACs like Rhodes. You oculd pretty much pick the area of the country you want to live in, find the LACs in the area, and get good merit aid. Only the top 10 or so are going to be very stingy.</p>

3

<p>If you are a NMSF then go to the financial aid forum and look up Keilexandra’s list of colleges with good NMF Aid.</p>

4

<p>I agree with lynx.</p>

<p>The <strong>only</strong> issue is that many of thess schools want to see interest on your part. A large number of schools have “Scholar Days” where the accepted student is invited to the campus to “compete” for scholarships. It is ofter half sales pitch, half one-on-one interviews. Majority of the students get a “scholarship” in varying amounts. Most of the schools I have heard about that do this will permit you to interview via phone if the travel cost/distance is too high for you - but it is on you to request the change to a phone interview - the school may not publish it. Again, most of this is marketing to gauge your interest. Why throw limited resources to students who aren’t interested?</p>

<p>Most of the CTCL schools offer nice merit.</p>

5

<p>Add to that Grinnell College and the University of Southern California.</p>

6

<p>U of Pittsburgh gives out wonderful full ride scholarships;)</p>

7

<p>Actually, you are automatically considered for full tuition scholarships when you apply, but to receive a full ride scholarship complete with room and board, book money, and study abroad/ undergraduate research scholarships, you have to be invited to fill out the Pittsburgh Chancellow’s Scholarship application.</p>

<p>Usually, you only need to be in the top 5% of your class, have a 3.5 average or higher and 1400 SAT or 32 on the ACT to qualify to be invited. With your GPA and SAT score, you’ll definitely be offered at least a full tuition scholarship.</p>

8

<p>Sunshower, have you checked out the financial aid forum? You may be able to find some useful information there.</p>

<p>Here’s a helpful thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;