<p>Most of the schools I'm applying to I'm probably not gonna get that much aid (Purdue, UIUC (instate), Rose-Hulman would be the only few I'd get much from), so it'd be nice to have a few safeties where I'd have solid aid packages. My parents can pay the 55K/year for a UofC/Wash U education, but would rather pay much less.</p>
<p>If you are fairly confident that you will get significant merit aid from UIUC (engineering) and Purdue (engineering), both of which have highly ranked engineering programs, I’m not sure why you are looking for ‘safeties’.</p>
<p>Some not-safeties that do offer major merit awards are U of C (no engineering) and WashU, which does have an engineering college. A few hours further away is Vanderbilt, which also offers full tuition merit awards and has an engineering college. Of course, merit awards at all of those schools are highly competitive. Somewhat less difficult are partial merit awards at Rice (getting way out of the upper midwest now).</p>
<p>OP -
You could consider Illinois Institute of Technology - Small, located accross from U S Cellular field, but they do have engineering, and your stats would probably get big merit aid. </p>
<p>U of Minnesota might cost you less that UIUC, is @ 5 hours from Chicago, and offers incentives to apply early. </p>
<p>Iowa and Iowa State will automatically offer someone with your stats $7500. </p>
<p>Mizzou Honors College - Your stats should get you close to full ride.</p>
<p>Good Luck. Post back here as you go through the process!</p>
<p>The University of Iowa has a great engineering school and gives generous merit scholarships. You would automatically qualify for the National Scholars Award:</p>
<p>University of Iowa National Scholars Award
For entering nonresident and international first-year students who have a Regent Admission Index score of 290 or above. If your high school does not rank, an ACT composite score of 26 or above (or a combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1170 or above) AND a cumulative high school GPA of 3.60 or above on a 4.00 scale are required.</p>
<p>Value: $17,960 ($4,490 a year for up to four years)
If tuition increases, the scholarship will increase by the same percent.
Eligible students are considered automatically upon admission.
Contact Admissions for more details.</p>
<p>You would have a good chance at the Presidential Scholarship program:</p>
<p>Presidential Scholarship Program
This scholarship program consists of two tiers of awards:</p>
<p>The top 20 candidates are awarded the Presidential Scholarship and the Old Gold Scholarship, which have a combined value of $13,000 a year for up to four years ($52,000).
Up to 350 applicants in the next tier of candidates are awarded the Old Gold Scholarship, which is valued at $3,000 a year for up to four years ($12,000).
Both scholarships require a minimum ACT composite score of 30 (or a minimum combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1330) AND a minimum cumulative high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.80 on a 4.00 scale.
Both scholarships require the same application and supporting materials.
The application for students applying for admission in fall 2012 will be available here by September 1, 2011. The application deadline will be December 9, 2011.
Old Gold Sholars will be notified in early February 2012. Presidential Scholars will be notified in early March 2012.
Contact Admissions for more details.
Presidential Scholars for Fall 2011</p>
<p>And, there are scholarships available for NMFs and engineering students. </p>
<p>Iowa is a great school with a beautiful campus, vibrant college town, and amazing school spirit. My daughter received the National Scholars Award, is a STEM major and absolutely loves going to school there.</p>