Schools with Great Merit Aid

<p>My Dad is a family doctor which puts us in that great little sector where we don't get any need based aid, but can't nearly afford the $40K+ price of top schools. My GPA is 3.9 and my SAT score is 2320 so I am eligible for nearly any merit-based aid. The problem is, may schools don't seem to give any. If you have any solution to my dilemma, please respond. I'll probably major in English.</p>

<p>Look at the threads that reside at the top of the Financial Aid forum and the Parents forum. There is quite a lot of discussion about schools that offer merit aid, ranging from small and not well known to larger and well known. Some are LACs , some are universities. </p>

<p>If you have some specific types of schools in mind–urban vs rural, large vs small, east vs west, etc–then someone may be able to offer some suggestions.</p>

<p>Thank you for the help</p>

<p>University of Richmond</p>

<p>University of Southern California</p>

<ul>
<li>Rice University: the merit aid is the reason I’m attending Rice (not the only reason, of course)</li>
<li>Emory University (need to apply separately to Emory Scholars program)</li>
<li>Vanderbilt University</li>
<li>USC</li>
<li>Washington University in St. Louis (need to apply separately for merit-based scholarships though)</li>
</ul>

<p>Rhodes College</p>

<p>Grinnell College</p>

<p>USC if you are a national merit semifinalist and place USC as your top choice, you get automatic half tuition.</p>

<p>State schools.</p>

<p>Also, I second University of Richmond. It truly is fantastic, and I regret never visiting it.</p>

<p>The Jesuit Colleges/Universities.</p>

<p>Beloit College and Knox College</p>

<p>There are tons of schools that will give you lots of merit money. The issue is that they are not the schools kids with your stats typically want to go to. Duke, UVA and UNC all have some good scholarships, but they are very competitive, even for kids with your stats. </p>

<p>Often your state flagship honors program is a good bet.</p>

<p>Do check out the thread on the FA board.</p>