
14 Feb Colleges that offer substantial merit aid
Colleges that offer substantial merit aid
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
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Loyola Marymount University – Trustees
McDaniel College
Miami University – 3.5 GPA/33+ ACT – half to full out-of-state tuition
University of Miami
University of Mississippi – Ole Miss – based on test scores only
Mount Holyoke College – trustee scholars – full tuition
University of New Haven
University of New Mexico
Nova Southeastern University – President’s Scholarship
Oglethorpe University – Flagship 50
University of Oregon – Stamps Scholarship – 3.85 GPA/28 ACT
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
St. Edwards University
St. Lawrence University
St. Louis University – due by 12/1 – 3.85 GPA/30 ACT
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Simmons University – Kotzen Scholarship – due 12/1 – 3.3 GPA/28 – full ride+
Soka University
University of Southern California
Southern Illinois University – 3.5 GPA/28 ACT
Southern Methodist University – 20 full-ride
Southwestern University
Syracuse University
University of Texas/Dallas – McDermott – 33 ACT
Texas Christian University – Chancellor’s Scholars – 4.0 GPA/ 34 ACT
Truman State University
Tulane University – separate application due 11/15
University of Tulsa – Presidential Scholars
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Washington University – nomination for Danforth
Washington & Lee University – Johnson Scholarship
Webb Institute – free tuition for all accepted students
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – WPI
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Western Association for College Admission Counseling
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