<p>There are many sources of information about merit aid. For example, Kiplinger’s college “best value” pages provide this information for 200 private colleges:
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Private Universities-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)
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Private Liberal Arts Colleges-Kiplinger<a href=“look%20at%20the%20columns%20referring%20to%20%22non-need-based%20aid%22.”>/url</a></p>
<p>Here is a list of universities that offer full ride scholarships:
[url=<a href=“Loading...”>http://www.thecollegiateblog.org/2012/12/09/national-universities-that-offer-full-ride-scholarship/]National</a> Universities That Offer Full Ride Scholarships<a href=“The%20list%20is%20ranked%20by%20selectivity,%20with%20the%20most%20selective%20schools%20at%20the%20top”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>The College Confidential forums have many posts about merit aid. Example:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-20.html#post16451378[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-20.html#post16451378](<a href=“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]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)</a>
Use the search function to find others.</p>
<p>For information about individual schools, a good source is the Common Data Set file that is available for many colleges. Google for: [college name] + “Common Data Set”. Download the file. Refer to section H2a for information about the number of merit scholarships awarded and the average amount.</p>
<p>You also can google for: [college name] + “merit scholarships”.<br>
For some colleges, that should point you to pages showing the criteria for merit awards. Example: [In-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/in_state.html]In-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/in_state.html)</p>