<p>Cornell and other ivies don’t give merit scholarships. </p>
<p>All ivies give is “need-based” aid based on family income and assets - including non-custodial parents and all step-parents. </p>
<p>You mention on a previous post that you’re remarried. Your new H’s income will count. If the bio dad is alive, then his income (and his wife’s income) will count as well.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in merit scholarships, then he needs to apply to the schools that give them. If you want merit scholarships to reduce your expected family contribution (which sounds like what you’re interested in), the the merit scholarships have to be VERY big to exceed need so as to “cut into” family contribution.</p>