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<p>I don’t know about that. I wouldn’t go that far. As an example, the Reginaldo Howard Memorial merit scholarship at Duke University is specifically reserved for students of African heritage. Hence, in the most extreme case, a wealthy and privileged black student might get to attend Duke on a full ride + stipend whereas a middle-class white or Asian student gets no aid at all. </p>
<p>[Reginaldo</a> Howard Scholarship :: OUSF: Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows](<a href=“http://www.aas.duke.edu/ousf/programs/reginaldohoward.php]Reginaldo”>http://www.aas.duke.edu/ousf/programs/reginaldohoward.php)</p>
<p>Similarly, Rice University’s Trustee Diversity Scholarship is provided to “students whose diverse life experiences and contributions to diverse groups distinguish them within the pool of admitted applicants”, one highly reasonable interpretation being those of a certain racial group. Hence, a black student is likely to be able to demonstrate these diverse life experiences whereas an Asian or white student, probably not. </p>
<p>[Financial</a> Aid at Rice University](<a href=“http://financialaid.rice.edu/main.aspx?id=62]Financial”>http://financialaid.rice.edu/main.aspx?id=62)</p>
<p>In other words, it seems to me that many merit scholarship programs at top 20 schools are subject to the same strictures of race-based affirmative action as are the admissions to the Ivies.</p>