<p>A good argument can be made for making a list, and then narrowing it down by finances. However, following that plan puts you at risk of learning very late in the game that your list doesn’t contain enough affordable options. It is better to build your list upwards, starting from the safeties.</p>
<p>You should start by identifying one or two Rock-Solid Safeties that you can afford without any aid other than federally determined (FAFSA) aid, that you know without a doubt will admit you based on your GPA and ACT/SAT scores (if they require exam scores), that offers your major(s), and that you can be happy attending if all else goes wrong in the admissions process. For most students, this will be an in-state Public U or community college. For students with excellent GPA and test scores, the Rock-Solid may be an OOS public, or even a private, that offers guaranteed admissions and scholarship money for those stats. Here is one list worth looking at:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>