Looking for high merit ACT 28 school size no larger than 6k

Looking for guidance please:
My senior daughter is looking for a smaller size school, no more than 6000 students. East coast but may be open to others if it makes sense.

** Act 28 **

Sat superstore 1040 (540 reading 500 math). She took 3x same scores within 20 points.

**3.34 GPA private girls Catholic high school. **

We need generous merit and / or scholarships due to unforeseen life circumstances (my inability to work due to TBI while at work 2 years ago). Will likely not qualify for aid still, going to do Fafsa soon.

Business but liberal arts as she may change majors. Not too liberal of a school, she’s more conservative.

Would like to play soccer if possible.

Looking for our cost to be ** no more than $15k/year.

Home State: Connecticut **

Thanks in advance!

Honestly I do not know if there’s many (any?) schools out there that fit this criteria. Your Ds stats may not qualify her for high merit. What state are you in and are in-state schools a better financial fit? I know they will likely be larger than 6k students though. She should probably submit her ACT not her SAT. 28 ACT converts to low 1300s on the SAT.

AAMU has about 6,000 students. It has a full tuition merit scholarship for 3.25 HS GPA and 23 ACT, according to https://www.aamu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships/index.html . Depending on cost of housing, etc., the net price may come out to be under $15,000. But it is in Alabama, which is not on the east coast (but is generally a more conservative place).

Is there a commuting option?

AAMU is an HBCU. Covers everything (tuition, fees, room & board, and book allowance) for an ACT score of 28 & a GPA of 3.75 or better.

The following list isn’t necessarily up-to-date, but may help you set expectations:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

For the state universities, you’ll need to be sure those awards are available (still) to OOS students (unless it’s your own state).

Merit awards for many small private schools seem to top out at around $25K or so. Check Kiplinger’s, or go straight to the websites (and net price calculators) for specific schools that interest you.

Has the OP indicated that an HBCU (Historically Black College University) would work for her student?

ACT is very good, but the GPA may be an issue.

Hopefully, people here can name schools that are only requiring a 3.0 or 3.25 GPA along with the good test score

University of North Alabama would be just slightly bigger than the target amount at about 7,400 students.There would be an automatic $6,500 scholarship with those stats plus in-state tuition. You can also apply for various other scholarships, my son has a leadership and housing scholarship, plus a small honors college one. They have a women’s soccer team.

Samford University might be a possibility, though their sticker price is pretty expensive. One of my son’s classmates is a freshman there and I know she received some very good scholarships, though I’m not sure how much. Her ACT was a few points lower than that, though her GPA was probably higher, and she had good leadership and service extracurriculars. They don’t list specific requirements for their scholarships, but visits or other expressed interest seems to be important.

That full ride is the “AAMU Presidential Scholarship”. But the OP’s student’s stats get the “AAMU Merit Scholarship” which is full tuition.

The OP has not indicated that such a school would not work for the student.

I wish folks would stop sharing http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

It hasn’t been updated in years. Many of the scholarships are reduced or no longer available or are no longer automatic. It’s just plain out of date.

@motherof3inct how much can you pay annually for your daughter to attend college?

Your screenname implies you are from CT. Is that true?if so… Can your daughter commute to Eastern, Western, Central or Southern? Can she commute to one of the community colleges?

Absolutely submit her ACT 28…not the SAT.

Also, check fairtest.org to see if there are any test optional schools that might work for her.

My suggestions…look at Keene State and York College In PA.

York might give her some merit aid, and it’s less costly than most other private small schools.

@motherof3inct

@ucbalumnus has recommended some HBCU schools (Historically black colleges). Would those schools work for your daughter?

@mom2collegekids : The OP’s original post is clear regarding the ACT score of 28 & the GPA of 3.25.

My post was in response to post #2 in this thread to share additional information.

Since her SAT is an issue, I wouldn’t try Test Optional schools. Her ACT is strong enough for most schools. Her GPA is the issue for merit since many will expect a 3.5/3.75+ GPA.

However, there are some schools that only require a 3.0 GPA along with that ACT score.

I know that Truman State is further and may be bigger, but it’s usually generous with merit.

University of Toledo has a scholarship grid.
https://www.utoledo.edu/admission/freshman/scholarships/2019/out-of-state.html

She’d get $12k per year which is about 3/4 tuition.

If you contribute $15k per year, can she take out a $5k per year student loan to supplement? That might make the key difference.

Also look at our thread of schools that don’t charge OOS tuition AND will give merit.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/2155331-which-state-schools-do-not-charge-an-oos-rate-and-will-also-give-merit.html#latest

Also, how strict is the 6k student body? That may also limit what can be found.

Why the 6k number?

Drew University?

U of Maine at Orono–offers to match tuition. That school is a little larger than you requested, but it’s not that big and it has small class sizes, compared to other flagship

Maybe Alfred?

Wells?

Hartwick offers a 3-year program which cuts costs significantly
https://www.hartwick.edu/academics/three-year-bachelors-degree-program/

@Dustyfeathers

The Maine match matches the flagship cost of the state from which the student resides. This kid sounds like she is from CT. If the can afford the costs to attend UConn, and they are looking for,lesser costs, they need to look at Eastern CT, Western CT, Southern CT or Central CT all have costs significantly less than UConn…and less than what Maine would cost.

She does not wNt to commute, wants the campus experience

HBCU would probably not be an option.

Do you know if they give merit?