floridaIB

Hey everyone! I wanted to get some different opinions on my chances of getting a full-tuition merit scholarship to an out-of-state school (I live in Florida). I applied to FSU and UF, but I think it would be nice to go out-of-state. I have done the financial aid calculator and it seems like I wont be getting much financial aid, but my parents will not let me go to an out-of-state university if I don't get a full scholarship. Here are my stats:
- African American
- IB diploma candidate
- 3.6 unweighted, 4.2 weighted
- SAT: 700 M, 700 R, 750 W
- President of Key Club
- JV basketball 9th and 10th grade
- 6 IB classes, 3 AP classes
- Member of Red Cross Club
- Pretty good (but not great) community service
- Top 4% of seniors in district

Let me know if you guys think that I stand a chance, because I know how competitive these scholarships are. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Holocene

Are you a NMSF?

floridaIB

no i'm not :/

beth's mom

A 1400 SAT (Reading and Math) and a 3.5 GPA will get you full tuition at Alabama.

mommafrog

Where do you want to go to school other than "not in Florida"? What major are you considering? Do you want to be in a city, smaller community? College or university? LAC? State school? Schools that offer merit scholarships do so because you are bringing something to them to help them look good -- i.e. to move up in rankings. Start looking at schools potentially on your list of where/what major, etc. Then see if they offer either a.) guaranteed awards (for test scores/GPA) or b.) competitive awards (usually they will state the criteria to apply, and yes, they are competitive.)

Are your parents willing to pay the costs of you attending the in-state school, or do they also expect (or are you guaranteed) a scholarship there as well? If there is a cost they would be willing to pay for you to go in-state, would they be willing to put that amount toward education, assuming you could come up with any difference in scholarship?

Finally (and parents are strange people...trust me...I'm a parent)...is the "get a full scholarship and then you can go away" a real offer...or do your parents really want you to stay in-state? Feel this out now...and remember, even with a full scholarship, even one that covers all fees, room and board, etc...there still tend to be costs of going farther away...airfare home (or 2-day drives w/hotels...), the inability to come home much (or at all) during the year. NOT trying to discourage you, but wanted to give you some things to think (and talk to your parents) about as you are working to find the right school for many reasons.

floridaIB

Thanks! I'll definitely look into the Alabama scholarship.

floridaIB

@ mommafrog : Thanks for the response! I would, preferably, go to a university in the South/West that is in a city environment. I am planning on majoring in math (I want to be an actuary). My mother is planning on helping out with the cost for an in-state school, but she is not going to pay all of it. This shouldn't be a problem though because the tuition costs for FSU and UF (with Bright Futures) aren't THAT high. Also, she is willing to give an equivalent amount for an out-of-state school, but they're so expensive so if I don't get near to a full scholarship I wont be able to go out-of-state.

floridaIB

I am not very picky about where the school is though. I only said South/West, because I am not a huge fan of cold weather.

BobWallace

Your chances are 100% at some schools and good at many others.

This thread lists quite a few schools where you would receive an automatic full tuition scholarship:

Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships

There are other schools where you would have a good chance at competitive scholarships.

floridaIB

@ BobWallace: Thank you! That was extremely helpful.

arabrab

Did you perhaps qualify as a finalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which is a recognition program for outstanding African American students
National Merit Scholarship Corporation - NASP

Some universities in the Southwest give special scholarships to students recognized in this program.

(Is your family able to help with room & board?)

floridaIB

No I didn't score high enough. And yes they are able to help but not completely.

mom2collegekids

Do you have a 1400 M+CR SAT from one sitting or is that a superscore?

What is your major?

As mentioned above, you would get a full tuition scholarship from Alabama if you apply by Dec 1 and you have a 1400 M+CR SAT and a 3.5 GPA. this is for any major.

If you major in engineering or Comp Sci, then you also get 2500 per year.

If you take out a 5500 student loan and your parents help out with Room and Board, then you'd have your costs covered.

juillet

I had very similar stats as yours, and I also wanted to be an actuary - go figure! My teachers talked me out of it. They thought I should be a writer. I wish they hadn't.

With your stats (fewer ECs) I got a full merit-scholarship to Howard, Spelman, and Florida A&M. If you are a young man, Morehouse would be the equivalent to Spelman - my husband had a full ride to Morehouse and similar stats (he had it on an engineering major, but they have it for other majors too). Also check out Hampton, Xavier, and Fisk; they have similar types of scholarships especially with your high stats.

I also got a full tuition offer from Agnes Scott College. University of Georgia's honors college also has a scholarship program for people with your stats (my GPA was just shy of their requirement, 3.7, but yours is over it).

You'd also be eligible for a full ride at Louisiana Tech, full tuition at Louisiana State, and a big merit scholarship at Ole Miss.

floridaIB

@mom2collegekids: Yes I did get the 1400 from one sitting. My major will probably be mathematics. Do EC's that you don't do at school count?