I seem to recall a thread here on CC that listed all the schools that gave merit aid and/or guaranteed acceptance for a certain GPA. Or was that something else?
Some of us have a good reason not to consider state schools: we live in a state with a very expensive state university that does not give much financial aid (and no way am I paying out-of-state tuition elsewhere). My kids have got to aim for the selective/prestigious schools that meet full need, so that we can minimize the debt they take on. And if this is faulty thinking in any way, please do let me know while we still have time to work it all out. 
@twinsmama, I think you do have faulty, or at least incomplete, thinking. Some state schools try to bastion their student body with merit scholarships, regardless of in- or out-of-state (OOS). I know you are still a couple of years off from college apps at this point, but when the time comes, you will see schools like U of Alabama, Kentucky, U Ohio, etc. who offer full rides (or close to it) for top-flight applicants. There is a thread or two here on CC about a boy who just turned down acceptance at all 8 ivy league schools + Stanford in order to get a full ride at U Alabama. He is pre-med and wants to save money for medical school, and his parents are not low income, so need-based is not helpful.
The professors and the students at the Honors Colleges of state schools are very high caliber (and geographically and socio-economically diverse), and the experience can be very stimulating, while the university puts its considerable resources at the disposal of the top, honors, students through mentorship, guidance, undergraduate research matching, etc…
You would not pay OOS tuition. You would go to an OOS State University for a subsidized (perhaps full-ride) awesome education.
I am learning, too; but this is the theory.
I too live in a state with an expensive flagship. A neighbor’s child got a full ride at Vanderbilt and the state flagship offered $3K merit so Vanderbilt was cheaper for them.
This is a helpful website:
http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
Make sure to look at, not just the avg amount of non-need based aid, but the percentage of students who actually receive it. It’s not a good bet if the school gives full scholarships, but to only 1% of the students.
If your child is a NMF, there are a number of schools that give automatic full or half tuition scholarships (Bama, Oklahoma, Arizona, USC, perhaps Northeastern & Fordham) These are good to apply to early on in the process to have the peace of mind of having a financial safety in the bag.
@twinsmama: Big difference between merit aid and straight FA, at least in our experience. If you think your kids are going to be strong candidates at the super-selective “prestige” schools, they will probably be strong candidates for the full-ride and full-tuition merit scholarships at some of the state (and non-state) schools. Note that these are not always publicized.
FWIW, 7D1 will be attending an OOS state flagship.
Knowing whether or not your kids are NMFs (when that time comes) should help. See that link I shared with the list of NMF full-ride and full-tuition schools.
Here’s some info on the Morehead-Cain (which is not the scholarship 7D1 received, nor is UNC the school she will be attending):
http://www.moreheadcain.org/morehead-cain/morehead-cain-experience/
A link to some info on merit aid at Rhodes (which we visited, but crossed off list because 7D1 wanted to attend larger school):
http://www.rhodes.edu/finaid/455.asp
I’ll detail more of our college process on my “One Family’s Story…” thread over the summer, but the topline summary is that 7D1 took a two-pronged approach: A few super-selectives (but still focusing on fit) AND a few schools at which 7D1 would be at/near top of applicant pool. She went 1-4 on Super-Selectives and 5-5 at the others, receiving significant merit aid at each of the second group of schools, from $20k to full-ride+. Some of the schools in the second group were NMF=automatic merit aid of at least full-tuition.
Thank you, this is very helpful. Based on their past academic performance and our past economic performance, our kids will probably be eligible for both merit-based and need-based aid. I like 7D1’s strategy.
In digging around on the Morehead-Cain site, I found that UNC also offers the Roberston Scholars program:
http://robertsonscholars.org/program/opportunities-benefits/
Another full ride+ opportunity, and you can matric at UNC or Duke.
I also found an article that states that there were fewer than 60 Morehead-Cain Scholarships (roughly 15 to out of NC students) awarded in recent years. Again, arguably more difficult than gaining Ivy admittance if you are going on number of scholarships vs. number of total applicants. Based on an applicant pool of 31,000 (from UNC site), that’s a selectivity of about 1/5th of a percent.
UVA has Jefferson scholarships which are also full ride and merit based. http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/
Wash U in St. Louis gives full merit scholarships.
In LAC land, Denison gives generous scholarships up to $45k per year. Kenyon gives full merit scholarships.
Colorado College has the Barnes Scholarship for math/science.
These are off the top of my head but I’m sure I’ll think of others. All schools mentioned above also dole out some partial merit scholarships.
I also want to note: @sevendad correctly mentions merit aid - both full and partial - available at many state schools, however many private schools award merit aid as well, as I’ve referenced with some schools in my post above. Many of us are from the Northeast, where the majority of the more selective schools only offer need based aid. If you are willing to widen your geographic range, especially to the midwest and the south, some excellent schools do provide merit aid. There is also the benefit of less competition amongst your BS peers for these schools. Slowly, BS applicants are starting to branch out a little, but I’m always surprised how many students apply to the same 2-3 dozen schools when there are so many excellent colleges out there.
@twinsmama - Carleton doesn’t give merit aid but is known for being very generous with need based aid.
The parade of boarding school commencements has begun. SevenDaughter1 is officially an alumna. Join me in congratulating @SevenDad on the conclusion of this particular journey for his family! As a CC BS Class of 2015 groupie, it’s been a delight to share in your commiserations and celebrations of our common life in this boarding world, for which I’m most grateful. Anticipating everybody’s big day, a salute to all of you!
So jealous of you, 7D! We have two more weeks to endure. Congrats to 7D1 and the entire SAS class of 2015!
I read w a very heavy heart that the 2 daughters of the DC family murder are in boarding school. One is a senior set to graduate now. The other is a junior.
GMT, I saw that piece on the news. Tragic.
This was the first I heard of it. No words.
I read about that as well. I looked for the schools, older graduating from Mercersberg and younger at Peddie. That piece of the story really grasped my attention. I can’t imagine.
So yesterday D2 graduated from George School. A wonderful and special day! With many reminders of why we chose this unique place.
Congratulations @Sudsie and Sudsie Daughter!
Congrats to all the BS Class of 2015 students and families! May the students stay safe at any grad parties they are attending and then spend at least a little quality time with families this summer!
Well, I think Choate must have had the last graduation. CK received his diploma yesterday under sunny skies and cool breezes. It was a glorious day, but I’m having a hard time believing it’s over. Every parent seemed to be wondering where the time had gone. I had a lump in my throat when we pulled away from ChoatieKid’s dorm for the last time, but he didn’t give it a backward glance. Onward and upward I guess.
No parties beyond cigars on the lawn after the ceremony. (Yuck! Who started THAT awful tradition?)