Is there a list of schools with automatic merit aid matrix(s)?
If you go to the financial aid section of a schoolâs website, they will sometimes have a chart for scholarship levels. This is more common at publics than at privates, but it does occur at private schools as well (though generally not the âeliteâ ones). Also, many collegesâ net price calculators will include an estimate of merit aid if it asks for a studentâs GPA and standardized test results. The merit aid listed in an NPC package is usually the minimum that one might receive, though in real life people can (and do) receive more, but thatâs all the institution is willing to indicate would happen up front.
If you Google âcolleges with automatic scholarshipsâ you will find plenty of lists.
@JulieKM - I have completed the FAFSA and CSS all years as the custodial parent, but my ex has not had to complete the CSS (except for the first year when S hadnât yet chosen Vanderbilt and was considering other colleges). However, they do take my current husbandâs income into account, so if you are remarried that is something to consider. I would call the financial aid office to clarify, because that pic you posted does make it confusing.
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Colleges may choose to use CSS Profile. If they do, they have the option to require or not require the CSS Noncustodial Profile.
On Frequently Asked Questions | Undergraduate Students | Office of Financial Aid | Vanderbilt University , Vanderbilt says that âVanderbilt does not automatically require or send a non-custodial application. There may be times when we will request information and documentation from your non-custodial parent. We will send the appropriate forms if this is deemed necessary.â
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Good to know - thank you!
@MCollegeTalk - 7 yrs ago there was a list floating around on schools with great merit aid including full tuition at many publics. Alas, thatâs period is over now. There are a few schools where tuition gets down to the 3-4K; and many state schools offer instate tuition costs for certain stats.
So, our midwest state is being very agressive right now trying to keep its top kids staying here - engineering math and health field kids are getting offers that are very hard to refuse from both the state and the state universities - only for in-state kids. Interesting! If you are a donut hole family, i think that your best prices will be mostly from your own state; some schools do offer unicorn competitive scholarships.
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I was a little surprised to see the acceptance rate that low, but apparently they took less than their usual because they overenrolled the last two years. Hopefully they go back to their typical year wrt admission, but that could depend on their yield with this class. Hereâs a good article on it from their paper:
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RIT is definitely a good option for her combined interests in STEM and art. They are trying to increase the percentage of women on campus as well, so she may get some merit just because sheâs female. As far as combining her interests, any chance she likes video games? They have a game art program that could probably combine all her skills into a major that could lead to a good job:Game Arts | College of Art and Design | RIT
The video game industry is unbelievably huge (like bigger than professional sports, the music industry, and Hollywood COMBINED) and is still growing, so there are jobs out there. The only downside of this particular major is that it is one of the few at RIT (and others that offer a game art degree) that has plenty of women, so getting into this program will be harder and may result in less merit. Something to consider, anyway.
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RIT (love their opportunities to combine STEM and art!)
BU
[Northeastern]
[UMich](have seen here that some exceptional OOS art students are offered in state tuition)
UMD
[Marist] (which has a program in Florence that interests her)
[WashU](hail Mary - wonât qualify for need based aid, but hopeful for a shot at the very few art merit scholarships)
So, I know your D22 was accepted to NEU and you like the programs 
but unless D23 is really interested in NEU, I would probably drop it from the list. I am sure you followed the NE threads this year - it was a bloodbath. But if she is interested, like top 5 choices or if she has a better record, then apply but probably apply ED1 - which I think is what D22 did. That seems to be the lesson learned from what I saw. I was following for awhile because my D considered applying for same reason - that NHR scholarship.
RIT does seem to have good arts scholarships opportunities for STEM majors, I just donât know if they are very much. But I remember thinking it sounded like a good opportunity when we were looking
BU - my daughter did nab a Presidential Scholarship for CB NHS recognition, so I can verify it is possible. But she chose not to go. 
That is a nice chunk of money, but still leaves you with about a $51k bill (before the price increase)
UMich - apply early
Dont know much about Marist, but I like that Florence angleâŠ
WashU - they are a hail mary, but I think combination could work in her favor. You need at least one hail mary (well 2 counting NEU these days)
Sheâs never been a gamer, so unless she gets exposed to game design through a class after she goes to college, Iâd be surprised if she would express interest in that track. Sheâs really at a point where she knows that she loves the math/physics that sheâs taken in HS, as well as the painting/sculpture that has been her HS art curriculum, but she also knows there is more out there that she hasnât been exposed to yet. Itâs unfortunate that she couldnât take computer science in HS, because that seems to be a gateway to other ways to express her creativity. Sheâs hoping that, like many kids, she will find her path when she gets there (wherever she ends up).
Hoping that being female gives her an edge at RIT! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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@AnonDad2026 my D22 applied EA to NEU, got deferred to RD, and then surprisingly got in. We were honestly shocked ⊠she applied thinking it was a long shot, which given the acceptance rate, it was, but it somehow worked out for her, D22 is Chinese so no CBNHRP for her, but she somehow got a nice merit award.
My D23 (Hispanic) is impressed by the depth of art paths that NEU offers, so if she likes it when we visit in June, she will do what my D22 did - apply knowing full well that the decision can go in either direction. I guess I should categorize that one as a Hail Mary as well, although I am hoping that her art portfolio will help her stand out. Her stats are just a smidge higher than D22, although I donât know if that really matters when they have so many qualified kids applying. She has won some regional awards for her painting, plus her teachers keep saying that many kids donât include sculpture in their application portfolios, but we know she could still get lost in a sea of 90,000 applications at NEU.
I appreciate you sharing your daughterâs experience. Where did she end up? And did she get any merit for her CBNHRP status?
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CMU is a great one for a math and art kid bit not known for merit.
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CMU would definitely be on her list if they gave merit! Apparently their art programs rank very high nationally. I canât find any evidence of merit on their website or in these forums, so she will unfortunately have to pass. 
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Itâs been a crazy year or two in college admissions, and I donât envy the job of those who make these decisions. Most business decisions are made using historical data, and the huge surge in both applications and last yearâs yield must have NEUâs adcoms scratching their heads when deciding their next move. According to chatter on parent FB groups, NEUâs jump in last yearâs yield has negatively impacted the ability of students to register for the classes they want/need, and of course housing was a challenge. Hopefully the effects of that huge class will even out after this year.
I wouldnât count out CMU, when S20 was receiving admission offers CMU offered a much more generous FA package than any of the other schools, including several LACs that are known for generous FA. We wouldnât normally qualify for much, so it was surprising.
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julieKM - while this isnt about merit - i will say my D16 loves art; took ap art & ap art history & contests and painted community murals . . etc. She also excelled at math and physics. We suggested architecture to her in college; sheâs getting her masters in it now. just throwing that idea out as sheâs searching for her path. 
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Thanks for the suggestion!
CMU has offered the most for my D22 among over 10 schools including top LACs
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Thatâs wonderful that CMU was so generous!
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