<p>I have been looking everywhere for a list of the "big" merit scholarships at colleges nationwide. I can't find one place that has a fairly complete list. Can you add your suggestions to the list of full tuition and/or full tuition, room and board scholarships? Many of these scholarships have separate applications and earlier deadlines.</p>
<p>Scholarships like:<br>
Morehead-Cain Scholarship at University of North Carolina
Robertson Scholars at Duke
Beering Scholarship at Purdue
Jefferson Scholars at University of Virginia
Danforth Scholars at Washington University in St. Louis</p>
<p>Thanks for your help in compiling a list. I'll keep looking to add more.</p>
<p>It is difficult to compile a complete list of this type of scholarship because the requirements for any given scholarship can change from one year to the next.</p>
<p>Merit Scholarships tend to fall under 2 groups…</p>
<p>1) Competitive merit scholarships…Many high-stats students apply for a limited number of awards. Often stats, ECs, leadership, URM-status, home-state, etc are considered. Sometimes schools use these scholarships to target highly desired students - URMs, students from unusual states, etc. Sometimes, FAFSA submittal is required (I guess to make sure that they aren’t awarding these scholarships to rich kids.)</p>
<p>(The scholarships that you’ve mentioned above are highly competitive.)</p>
<p>2) Automatic or “Assured” Merit Scholarships - If you have the required stats, and you apply on time, you get the scholarship. Many of these schools can be a financial safety school.</p>
<p>Auto or Assured Merit scholarships can be found here…</p>
<p>Look on a college website to determine whether their scholarships are “assured” or are competitive. Read the fine print. Do they require a separate app? Do they require any LORs? Is there a deadline? Some schools that give big merit scholarships require that a student apply in the Fall by a certain date.</p>
<p>Add the McNair Scholarship at University of South Carolina to the list. It is a full ride merit scholarship. Applicants MUST complete the honors college/scholarship application by the deadline (which when DD did it was December 1). I believe their admissions applications must also be sent on the early side. If selected, you are invited to an interview weekend which is paid for by the school. It’s a great option.</p>
<p>I have been looking everywhere for a list of the “big” merit scholarships at colleges nationwide. I can’t find one place that has a fairly complete list. Can you add your suggestions to the list of full tuition and/or full tuition, room and board scholarships?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>What is your likely major/career?</p>
<p>With that info, we might be able to point you where to look.</p>