Dear Wise Ones,
We are a middle class family who is fully aware that the chances of a need based scholarship for our daughter is zero.
This is our second daughter to go through this process. Our family is fortunate to be able to give each daughter a lump sum (thank you early savings) and they are on their own for all other costs. D1 ended up choosing to attend a school where she could minimize loans, but she has a minimal amount remaining for any additional education. This is fine with her, as her path does not include additional education at this time or in the foreseeable future.
D2 is much more likely to want to attend grad school based on her interests. Therefore, we really need to focus together on finding schools that have strong, broad based merit scholarship programs for high achievers. She wants to attend a school with more than 3000 students, in a non-rural area. Prefers the coasts, but open to other areas.
While looking at schools for D1, we accidentally came across three schools (DePaul, University of San Francisco, and Seattle University) that had a published grid of auto-merit scholarships. For example, with a 3.5 GPA and SATs of 2100, we could see in our research that she was eligible for 18,000 at one school. Based on this experience, we are guessing there are other schools which might be a good fit for D2 that have a “grid” for merit scholarships. Is anyone aware of a list, method, way to seek schools like this? She is currently very interested in science, and also has a “hook” in classical art.
There has to be lists somewhere of schools with auto-merit aide awarded based on tests/GPA – where are they?
There is a link to several merit scholarship lists at the top of the financial aid and scholarship section.
University of Alabama, Clemson and University of Kentucky give auto merit for OOS. UA is very generous .
What I am looking for is the ones where you are GUARANTEED if your GPA and SAT scores are a certain amount. I will definitely explore those three - thank you!!!
Temple University has guaranteed merit based on that’s, the higher the stats the greater the merit up to full tuition. Also consider applying to some schools with non-guaranteed merit, you never know unless you try.
Yes…Alabama gives them FOR SURE if you have certain stats.
What is your DD M+CR? the W score often doesn’t count for merit.
What is her career goal?
What is the amount that you’re contributing each year?
?
Is your DD only a sophomore now??
Ole Miss is full tuition for 3.0 and 1440 math+cr. Temple is full tuition for 3.8 weighted (their weighting system) and 1440.
OP, everyone on this thread understood you at the beginning. They frequent the Financial Aid forum which you should bookmark to see what resources are there.
If the DD is only a sophomore, who knows what the offers may be when she’s a senior.
@carolinamom2boys Can you post a link for Clemson’s auto merit? I can never find it… thanks
http://www.clemson.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/cu-schol-recruiting.html
This should be the link for Clemson’s auto merit for instate and OOS students .
I agree with @mom2collegekids scholarships and requirements are subject to change each year. If you D is only a high school sophomore you have the added issue that the required SAT scores will be changing to reflect the new 1600 point scale. You can look around to see where it might be affordable now and guess what the new scores might be but don’t be surprised if they change.
@3scoutsmom I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about the new SAT because my younger son is only a Freshman. I know it’s going back to a 1600 scale, but will things be weighted differently?
I don’t know either but it is a very different test, it’s possible that schools could change there requirements for scholarships. Just because a school currently offers an automatic scholarship for 1500 (M+CR) for the current SAT doesn’t mean they will offer an automatic scholarship for the same score on the new test. Some schools that do use a writing score and will certainly need to change their scholarships
Even without testing changes, scholarships , like tuition are subject to change annually. It makes it very hard to predict.
Thank you…I appreciate the other links and the info here!!!
Thanks…I had seen that, but it still seemed a bit vague.
Domestic out-of-state students with at least a 1250 SAT (CR+M) or 28 ACT and who are ranked*** in the top 10%* of their high school class will receive a renewable merit scholarship of at least $7,500. Students with higher test scores will be considered for these merit scholarships up to $15,000 annually.
@carolinamom2boys
@mom2collegekids The information was also explained by Clemson during Discover Clemson Day 2015 in May with the specifics being the same as instate requirements for students. A difference for OOS students is the class rank requirement. If you look further down the page on the link, they will consider students with high GPAs and test scores for merit without the rank of top 10% of their class.
OP - your daughter may be better on the ACT than SAT. There is a concordance table on the WWW.act.org web site. By the time your DD is a senior, it looks like the requirement for full tuition scholarship at UA would be at least 3.5 GPA and ACT equiv of 32. UABirmingham and UAHuntsville may be slightly more generous in scholarship or perhaps the same. My two DDs raised their ACT test scores to improve scholarships. At least have her take one ACT and compare to her SAT. UA does offer partial scholarships for OOS and in-state students, but the OOS are with the higher tuition starting point.
I understand your situation. Doing the research early will have you familiar with ‘the landscape’. Some OOS publics are more generous/lower cost depending on the state you are in. Also your DD may be able to put together a FA package at a private LAC. What does she want to study?
If money is tight and does not have sufficient package at a four year program, can she complete two years at CC and live at home, then finish final two years at higher cost school? Are there any four year programs within easy commuter range?