<p>I've been all over this site, and subscribed to the USNWR Premium data base, but I am still having trouble finding out what merit scholarships might be available to my daughter. The USNWR Premium database gives data for each school based on ACT scores of 30 and up, and then the next range is 24 to 29. Of course there is a huge difference in the percentages. I'm guessing that a lot more people can get a 24 or 25 compared to people who get a 28 or 29, so this information doesn't help much.</p>
<p>So- how about some examples of schools that will give substantial merit awards, or OOS tuition waivers for students with an ACT of 28 or 29, and a 3.5 to 3.75 GPA? </p>
<p>My daughter's preference would be Chicago area schools, or urban schools, but in the interest of helping everyone, please share if you know of schools that reward the not quite Ivy smart.</p>
<p>What I found to be a great resource was US News and World Report's numbers. What they do is list the % of students who receive merit aid, and the average merit aid award for each school. For public schools, they list both for in-state and out-of-state students as well. What you would do is look at the percentage, look to see approximately what test scores it applies to, see where your D stands, and whether or not a scholarship is likely.</p>
<p>Schools i've found for OOS students (all are big publics with sports, as that's where the majority of my research has been) that have good aid are the following:</p>
<p>U of Florida - 50% of OOS students receiving merit aid, average award 13247
Texas A&M - 57% of OOS students receiving merit aid, average award 11060
Georgia - 36% of OOS students receiving merit aid, average award 12973</p>
<p>Then look at the score ranges, to see where exactly the cut off would be:</p>
<p>Texas A&M: SAT 1080-1290, cutoff likely 1185 SAT
Florida: SAT 1140-1360, cutoff likely 1250 SAT
Georgia: SAT 1130-1320, cutoff likely 1300 SAT </p>
<p>The list is much more extensive, I limited myself to a small database, with certain types of schools and certain prestige. If you usually look a bit lower, that's where the $$$ is at.</p>
<p>Vderon - I am in Illinois and a lot of the state schools have scholarships based on ACT scores. My guidance counselor told me a few but I've forgotten but I do know I chose to apply to U of I at Urbana and SIU because of the scholarships. If you're a minority, UIC has a lot of additional merit based scholarships. Good luck~</p>
<p>Thank you A2 and jan. I am encouraging my daughter to look at both of the SUIs, because they seem very good in some majors and she certainly would get money there. And A2, I think you found a way around my problem. I just wih I hadn't spent $15.00 before I asked!</p>
<p>There are a LOT more schools available. The US News subscription is a great resource to have. Those were just 3 schools that were fairly highly ranked that were good with merit aid with for OOS students with a 27-29 ACT. Find the type of school your D is looking for, research where she would get aid, and then apply. That $15 could save thousands if you do research.</p>
<p>Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and Valparaiso University in IN both give good merit aid based on GPA/ACT scores, as well as decent need-based aid if you qualify. Both are about an hour from Chicago and accessible to the city by train (Kenosha on the Metra and Valpo on the South Shore Line).</p>
<p>A2, she has finally come around to looking at schools outside of the Chicago area. She is on a very good , pre-professional dance team, and she was having a hard time letting go of that. So we are visiting DePaul, Loyola and North Central, but she recently decided she would be willing and excited to look at a wider of range of schools if she could find a good fit ( I had to wait patiently for her to come around to that on her own) . She has visited a few schools ( her older sister is at Mizzou, so she tagged along on a few college visits) and she has a preference for urban areas. We didn't talk about where she should send her ACT scores, and on her own she sent them to DePaul, North Central, University of Denver and UCLA. She had no idea that UCLA is so hard to get into from out of state, but that gives you an idea of her mindset. Thanks for asking, and your good suggestions so far!</p>
<p>justlouise, I think Carthage is a gem of a school. My older daughter visited, and was invited to their scholarship competition. I was disappointed that she decided not to participate. I'm encouraging my younger daughter to look at Carthage, and I would recommend it to others.</p>