We are looking for the biggest merit package we can find. ( I know, isn’t everyone)
Budget is $10-12K a year
Texas resident
Graduated HS 2017 - gap year - applying for fall 2018
Top 12% of the class
Stats:
IB Course - not diploma
Couple of AP classes thrown into the mix
ACT 34 - Highest scores were in math/science
SAT 1390
GPA: 4.7 this is how it reads on transcript, don’t know unweighted
Wants to major in Secondary Education with an emphasis on English - Career goal: Teach English in the high school setting.
We have reviewed the listing of the full ride merit schools and have applied to UAH, will also apply to TX State and Howard has also peaked interest, will apply when they open up for applications.
UAH/TX State would be the safety schools - UAH is guaranteed tuition/housing based on scores/grades. I did check with UAH, they take the GPA at face value of the transcript for scholarship consideration.
Does not like the culture of the big “sports” schools.
Example, has no desire to apply to Univ of Alabama (Another full ride option) as its such a big “sports” school.
Prefers the smaller schools, especially liberal arts colleges.
Looking for other options and unclear as to how to go about doing the research for the better merit packages even if not assured/guaranteed but available to pursue with some hope of earning based on stats.
Since so many here are so knowledgeable, I am reaching out for some guidance.
Thank you in advance!
I apologize - Title should read:
How do we locate the schools with the best merit aid?
Does anyone know how to edit the title?
Is there a MOD here who can edit?
Thanks
All Thumbs
Since she wants to major in education at a smaller school, why not look at the old ‘normal’ schools or teacher’s colleges? Those schools might cost less to begin with and keep you under your $12k budget.
For example, in Colorado it would be U of Northern Colorado. Much cheaper than CU or CSU, and there are some scholarships specific to the school. U of Wisconsin Stevens Point is another. Tuition is cheaper, housing is cheaper
Since the base cost of attendance(tuition, fees, room and board) varies so much from school to school, just looking at the size of the merit aid package is meaningless. Look at threads like the one on liberal arts colleges with good merit aid and a lower cost of attendance.
What is your approximate family income? A combination of need and merit aid could be optimal.
If your child applies to Howard there is a good shot at the Presidential scholarship which is a true “full ride” including tuition, fees, housing, books, and a laptop. Make sure he/she applies by the early deadline (I think it’s 11/1 or 11/15 I can’t recall exactly). My DD applied to Howard as a backup, but when she visited she liked it way more than she thought she would and being in DC it’s a great location. She kept it in the running with Georgetown and Columbia all the way until the end as graduating debt-free and not having to pay anything (meaning she could maintain her lifestyle and not be a “starving” college student) was very appealing to her. I heard there are some problems with administration, but everything I read from students/alumni is positive and people seem to love their time there.
@Studious99
This student and family will need to look very carefully whether both merit and need based aid can be stacked.
In many cases, if a student receives merit aid…it reduces their financial need…and thus reduces need based aid.
Have you considered some of the UT branch schools like UT Tyler and Texas A&M-Commerce?
@Thumper1 - This list is bookmarked and a copy has been sent to DD, I think I have it memorized 
@Mshopeful - I was reading some of the drama, thank you for sharing your experiences
@3scoutsmom - Thank you, I did read this and will be monitoring the rumor mill
@carachel2 - Honestly, didn’t know of A&M Commerce, we are looking at the UT’s
Mod’s - Thank you for the edit!
We know a kid with similar stats studying education at rockhurst college in KC. Tuition-free scholarship. Kid likes it there! small LAC and pretty. just an idea . . .
For teaching, it’s not a bad idea to look at schools in state where you want to teach. You definitely don’t want debt for teaching degree. If you want to stay in Texas, that’s where I’d focus my search.
If you decide to go elsewhere, just be aware of different certification rules and be sure you’ve satisfied the requirements of state where you wish to teach. Any good education program can advise you on that and, of course, the state departments of education in applicable states.
SMU, TCU and Trinity in Texas offer lots of merit.
@scmom12 - won’t be staying in Texas, cannot wait to leave and head to the North East or Pacific NW
@Houston1021-Prefers a secular institute, but is starting to see that affiliation does not = cram down the students throat - Example, really likes Univ San Francisco and its Jesuit
Rockhurst, suggested above, is also a Catholic school.
It’s nice to want to go ‘away’, but someone has to pay for it. Your title asks “how do we find schools with the best merit aid?” The first way is to be realistic that you are going to have to give up some of the things on your ‘want’ list, and the first is going to be location. None of the big merit aid schools are in the Pacific NW or northeast. Temple used to be a ‘merit’ school, but no longer is. She’s going to find a lot more money at home, in Kansas and Missouri, at Utah, Montana, Idaho, or in the southern states.
She has very good stats, so if she’s willing to go to Ohio or Indiana LACs, there might be some money.
One of your challenges may be that some scholarship are only available to students who attend immediately after graduating high school. Your child taking a gap year may disqualify her from some scholarships.
read the requirements carefully and don’t be afraid to call the admissions office and ask questions about the scholarship