<p>Hello all,
I am a HS senior. My family is in a tax bracket where we can not expect any financial aid; however, paying for college will still be a big deal. I was wondering if anyone knows of any merit scholarships that may be helpful. In terms of credentials, I have a 2300 SAT score, 4.92/5 weighted GPA, and strong leadership of clubs, etc.
Thanks so much for your suggestions! Anything is helpful.
-EK</p>
<p><a href=“Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html</a></p>
<p>Look particularly at the automatic and competitive full tuition and full ride scholarships. If you have National Merit status, look at that list as well. Of course, there may be additional low cost options at your in-state public schools, or scholarships available only to in-state students at those schools.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the helpful links! I have already applied to colleges, but many of these will still be helpful. </p>
<p>Ekroxx…if you need merit aid, and your current application list isn’t a promising one…you can add schools! But keep in mind that some of these schools require completed applications before December 1 for their most generous merit awards.</p>
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<p>Did you apply to any schools that you know that you have all costs covered? You should apply to 2-3 schools that you know FOR SURE will give you enough merit money to be affordable.</p>
<p>If you are looking for private scholarship to help you pay for 4 years of college, you’re not likely going to find those. Those are usually ONLY for frosh year, for small amounts, and often have a need component.</p>
<p>Private entities have little/no motivation to provide 4 year awards to high-income students. The companies aren’t interested in helping those students.</p>
<p>It appears that you have your list, and are now looking for scholarships to help bring the costs down. It won’t work that way.</p>
<p>Where did you apply?</p>
<p>How much will your parents pay each year?</p>
<p>the concern is that you’ll find out in the spring that you have no affordable schools.</p>
<p>Well…the OP supposedly submitted an Early application to Harvard. Has mentioned Princeton on other threads. </p>
<p>Neither of these schools gives merit aid at all…they award need based aid only.</p>
<p>To the OP…can you afford to attend these schools if accepted? You won’t be seeing merit aid at these schools.</p>
<p>Where else did you already apply? Isn’t Harvard REA?</p>
<p>^^
Right.</p>
<p>If the OP won’t qualify for aid (or enough aid) at P or H or other schools, then he needs to include a few financial safety schools on his list.</p>
<p>I know that it can be upsetting/shocking to have your eyes on schools like HYPS and then suddenly realize that they aren’t affordable. The first thought is going to be: Find some outside merit. But, that’s not going to happen…at lease not much and not for all four years. </p>
<p>It can be extremely difficult, at this point, to “change gears” and accept that you may need to apply and attend a “lesser” school so that you can afford college. In your mind, you feel that you’ve “worked hard” and deserve a top school. </p>
<p>You can’t borrow your way thru. You can only borrow $5,500 for frosh year. Your parents would have to co-sign more, but frankly no school is worth a lot of debt…it’s just too hard to pay back big debt.</p>
<p>Also…you need to consider that those top schools may not accept you.</p>
<p>If the OP won’t qualify for need based aid at Harvard or Princeton…the OP won’t qualify for need based aid anywhere. Those two schools are very generous in terms of need based aid with higher income families.</p>
<p>Hello,
My family has the resources to pay for me to attend whatever college I get into. However, I am just looking for supplemental (not school-based) merit aid options that could help to make things easier overall.</p>
<p>There are many web sites that provide free listings or outside scholarships - fastweb is an often-recommended site. There may also be sites specific to your state/county/municipality (in NC, we have cfnc.org). Local charitable organizations often have scholarships - typically your guidance office would have these listings. Local and regional scholarships are often the best bet - with your stats you should be attractive to organizations where you fit their other criteria.</p>
<p>Most outside merit scholarships are one-year only (there are a few that are renewable but by far the exception), so plan accordingly. If you’re not receiving aid from your school, you don’t need to worry about outside scholarships hurting you. </p>
<p>Well then, you’re good to go. Ask your GC is there’s any local ones to apply to. They may only be for $1000, but it sounds like you don’t need anything.</p>
<p>Thank you, InigoMontoya, fastweb rocks!</p>