<p>In light of the recent economic troubles, coupled with my family's low-income status, I've been rethinking my college list...
I'm currently a senior, have perfect grades and test scores, great leadership and extracurriculars, national journalism awards, two varsity sports, etc etc.
And I'm looking for schools (preferably northern) that offer generous full merit scholarships, including tuition, room & board, etc. Before, I was looking mainly to the Ivy League and other top schools. But, lately, I really don't care about that prestige. I'd much rather get a great scholarship, and spend my money on grad school.</p>
<p>I am my school's nominee for the UNC Morehead-Cain scholarship, but it's so competitive that I am looking for other scholarship opportunities if that falls through.</p>
<p>Anyone know of any excellent merit scholarship schools?</p>
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[quote]
Washington and Lee University provides full ride scholarship for 4 years to more than 10% of its 1st year students. It is one of the best in terms of scholarship (covers tuition,fees, room/board, books and an allowance of personal spending)
<p>If you're a contender for the UNC scholarship, you might want to consider U of South Carolina where you might also be a contender for the McNair Scholarship which pays everything plus a laptop. The scholarship application is a very challenging one but if you get the nod, it's worth it. You should look now as the scholarship application (which takes a LOT of work) is due by December 1 (or at least it was in the past).</p>
<p>It's a full-ride merit scholarship that covers all college costs (tuition, fees, room and board, laptop, etc.). It also provides full funding for three summers of global travel, research, and internships, and gives recipients a unique "dual citizenship" where they are full students at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>The Robertson Scholars program seeks out students who will be change agents, innovative leaders who have the potential to have a profoundly positive impact on the world. Criteria for selection include superior academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, strength of character, courage, and collaborative spirit.</p>
<p>The program seeks to enroll 36 scholars each year, 18 at each campus. All 39,000 or so applications to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are considered for the program, but the program strongly encourages interested applicants to fill out the program’s Supplemental Materials Form in order to ensure review of the applicant’s file by the scholarship program itself.</p>
<p>Note: the OP is interested in scholarships for full tuition AND at least R&B. There are many schools like Vandy and WUSTL that give full tuition scholarships, but the OP is looking for something more on par with the Morehead-Cain which includes full tuition, R&B, laptop, books, travel a summer enrichment program and funding of a gap year. Wow, now that's a full ride!!</p>
<p>The DuPont Scholars at Univ. of Delaware is a full ride. You have to be one of their top 125 or so applicants. They invite you to a weekend of interviews before awarding the scholarships. They give out 10 or 12 full rides but everyone invited to the Scholars Weekends gets something (last year, they received $20,000/year which DOES NOT cover the OOS tuition).</p>
<p>Look into UMCP's Banneker Key Scholarship as well. Our s is a recipient in the Honors Humanities program and is loving it. He was also awarded 58 credits based on his APs which will allow him to double or triple major. He said last week that he'd feel like a fool if he had accepted one of the elites he was accepted to with a $50K/yr price tag.</p>
<p>You might also check out the University of Alabama. They have schlarships for Natinal Merit Finalists which pay tuition, housing, stipend, and laptop. Their top scholarship, University Fellows, pays all that plus $8000 annual stipend and study abroad funds, I think. I know Bama might not be the most prestigious, and it is certainly not the north, but they are working hard to attract top students, and have some really great honors programs. If your family is struggling financially, you may discover a great opportunity. They also have new honors dorms with private bedrooms in suites, and some with clubhouse and pool. Just check it out online!</p>
<p>^ Yeah, I actually got some letter from them about it. Supposedly if you're a NMS Finalist you get a $95,000 scholarship... automatically (if you apply by a certain deadline). As much as I dread the thought of going to that state for college, I can't really ignore an offer like that..</p>
<p>At least you are in Florida, so it's not too far, which is something that can have a real, practical impact on your college experience as well as finances. I think I also recall that U. of FLA has or had some good opportunities for NM finalists or semi-finalists. Hard for an old Bulldog to promote the Gators, but some of the best overall advice I know for college hopefuls is to keep a truly open mind. Best value for money? In-state public. Are you planning to submit supplemental materials for Robertson at UNC?</p>