Many of my students often come to me with a “Dream School” list when we begin the college search process.  When we dig in and the cost of attendance (COA) along with the expected family contribution (EFC) come to light it sometimes makes those “dream schools” seem like just that… a dream!

I discuss with them the idea of looking at institutions that are not “brand name” where they still will receive an excellent undergraduate education while being able to qualify for substantial merit aid with their qualifications.  Where as even with those amazing qualifications and stats at other institutions that aid would sometimes be minimal or non-existent.

*Many of the schools on the list still fall under “brand name”… Hooray!

University of Alabama – 3.5 GPA/32 ACT – covers most of tuition

Baylor University – 29 ACT – must attend Invitation to Excellence Weekend

Bentley University – 75% of financial aid awarded comes from Bentley grant and scholarship resources.  Boston College – Boston College awards institutional financial aid on the basis of demonstrated institutional financial eligibility (need) rather than on merit.

Boston University – Rank in the top 5% of their high school class, SAT 1500+/ACT 33+

• Trustees Scholars – Full tuition (20 awards a year)
• Presidential – $20,000.00 (3% of incoming freshman)
• National Merit Scholarship – $20,000.00
• National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) – $20,000.00
• College of Engineering FIRST Robotics – $20,000.00

Centre College – 50% of applicants

• Brown Fellows Scholarship & Lincoln Scholars Program 3.2 GPA (UW)
• Gisson Scholars Program 2.67 GPA
• Colonel Scholarship 2.5 GPA
• Founders Scholarship 2.25 GPA
• Centre Award 2.0 GPA
• New Horizons Scholarship 2.0 GPA

Earlham College

Emory University – 3.4/3.2 depending on scholarship

Florida Southern College

• McClurg Scholarship – 3.5 GPA, 1330 SAT/29 ACT
• Christoverson Scholarship – 3.5 GPA, 1330 SAT/29 ACT
• Jenkins Scholarship – 3.5 GPA, 1240 SAT/26 ACT, complete FAFSA and demonstrate financial need
• Hollingsworth Scholarship – 3.5 GPA, 1330 SAT/29 ACT
• Many others based on specific departmental applications

Fordham University – top 1% of admitted pool, top 1-2% of high school class, approx. 1460 SAT/32 ACT

George Washington University –

University of Hartford – “In awarding academic scholarships, University of Hartford considers the overall picture of academic performance, so that a single factor like SAT score may not automatically result in a smaller scholarship.  As a general example, a typical student with a SAT of 1090+, in the top 20% or better of their class, and GPA of 3.45 awards $23,000.00 to full-tuition”

Hendrix College – compete for full ride for 3.6 GPA/32 ACT

Hoftstra University

• Hofstra University Trustee Scholars – Full tuition (30 per year), 4.2 GPA (W), 1537 SAT
• Hofstra University Presidential Scholars – $27,000.00 – $29,000.00 (15% of admitted pool), 3.6-4.3 GPA (W), 1320-1600 SAT
• Hofstra University Provost Scholars – $24,000.00 – $26,000.00 (20% of admitted pool), 3.4-4/0 GPA (W), 1170-1300 SAT
• Hofstra University Dean’s Scholars – $7500.00 – $23,000.00 (45% of admitted pool), 2.9-3.9 GPA, 1080-1260 SAT

College of Idaho

• Presidential Merit – $15,000.00, 4.07 GPA, 29 ACT, 94.1% high school rank
• Trustee Merit – $13,000.00, 3.87 GPA, 26 ACT, 85.9% high school rank
• Dean Merit – $11,000.00, 3.67 GPA, 25 ACT, 74% high school rank
• William Judson Boone Merit – $9,000.00, 3.4 GPA, 24 ACT, 62.5 high school rank
• PEAK Merit – $7,000.00, 3.13 GPA, 21 ACT, 49.4% high school rank

More College Admissions Insights