<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm currently a senior in high school, and I'm looking for scholarship opportunities that are purely merit-based. I am an asian with a 3.9+ gpa, and my family does not have financial need, but I thought it would be nice to take some of the burden off of my parents. Does anybody have any suggestions?</p>
<p>I thought you might be interested in reading this web page:
[Schools</a> known for good merit aid - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=52133&referrerid=665419]Schools”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=52133&referrerid=665419)</p>
<p>From,
bbccpp</p>
<p>Ps. My advice is to also apply to your dream schools and to make a slow deliberate decision. You display great character to express this particular sentiment IMO. One option is to consider the luxury of spending the money if you get yourself accepted to say a top 8 to 10 ranked school. Also can consider if you think you will be pursuing a high pay major thus mitigating cost. </p>
<p>Your parents raised you well. </p>
<p>Ps have an honest long talk with them about money, savings, retirement, siblings, if they are willing. It can be close to decide to give a child a new house versus a better school. Ps I think the higher your sats the more you might be getting the spent money back for you or your parents as future earnings.</p>
<p>Look here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>Most merit scholarships are based on ACT/SAT scores primarily. What are yours? Include SAT breakdown.</p>
<p>SAT score: 2380 W: 780 R:790 M:800
Also, I appreciate the info on the schools that give full rides, but are there any competitions where I can win any scholarship money that are still open?</p>
<p>If you actually look through the scholarship listing you’ll find different app dates (U Alabama is 1 Dec).</p>
<p>Sorry should’ve been more clear: are there any scholarships that can be applied to a unversity of my choosing?</p>
<p>You could talk to your HS GC to see what they can recommend, but that would ONLY help for freshman year. The vast majority of outside scholarships are only applicable for a single year. How would you pay for the other 3?</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1421121-should-your-kids-attend-well-known-expensive-private-school-full-tuition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1421121-should-your-kids-attend-well-known-expensive-private-school-full-tuition.html</a></p>
<p>You may get helpful ideas here. </p>
<p>Your sats are so high. Congratulations.</p>
<p>You may find some hidden gem scholarships at small high level liberal arts colleges. I would hunt the websites and call some. </p>
<p>I know one in PA gives 2 full rides per year if you live in a certain county. Top level school too. For eg.</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad,</p>
<p>My parents are able and willing to pay for all four years of college - I’m just trying to get whatever I can to make it a little easier for them. Thanks, I will go see the counselor sometime, that seems like a good idea.</p>
<p>Ambience, are you a National Merit Semifinalist? As you’ve found from your research, the most generous awards tend to be school-based, sometimes done by competition. National Merit can unlock a variety of awards, from a $2500 one time award that’s portable to any school, to pretty much a full ride sponsored by certain colleges.</p>
<p>My d took the route of applying to a variety of colleges, knowing that some would award guaranteed merit based on her high stats, some had competitions for a fixed number of major school-based awards, some would not be as generous with merit awards. Scholarships were a huge part (but a part) of the criteria for schools she selected. </p>
<p>Good luck in your search, and remember to factor in many things when choosing where you’re going to live and learn for the next several years. Scholarship potential is one important component…but so are many other factors.</p>
<p>Many private scholarships that can be applied to any school will have a “need” component. Many will not award to a student whose family can pay, but just wants a “break”. Also, as mentioned, most are for small amounts and only for frosh year.</p>
<p>Be grateful that your family is willing to pay $200k+ for your college education. If you do end up with a $1000 local award for one year, then that will be icing on the cake.</p>