Schools known for good merit aid

[sdp000]

PSAT = 240 / 240
ACT Composite = 36
High School Transcript is all A+'s with the very hardest classes
Extraordinary writing skills

Seriously, I have no idea where to start. The High School is not known for producing outstanding students.

[xiaomihu]

Hello Every one,
If a family income over $100,000 and below $150,000, if they still have a chance get merit money from Ivy school?

[Keilexandra]

1. It's not merit money, it's need-based.

2. It depends. If HYP, possibly/probably; the others, possibly/maybe.

[Kei-o-lei]

Here's our ongoing list of schools that we've discussed at one point or another for our kid who will be applying to college for Fall 2010.

I took data from USWN&WR Big Book that lists the percentage of students that received merit aid and the average merit aid award.

We're doing this to try and find some financial safety schools, since the schools kid is most interested in (Brown, Vassar) provide no merit aid, and with ~$160k income we aren't banking on any significant need-based aid.

First # is percentage of students that received merit aid; secodn number of average award in thousands.

Kei


School/ % got merit/ avg award

Grinnell 32 10
Muhlenberg 30 11
U Michigan 29 6
Beloit 25 12
Franklin Marshall 24 13
Oberlin 17 10
U Wisconsin 17 2
Hampshire 15 5
Wash U 14 5
U Chicago 11 11
Skidmore 10 0
Dickinson 9 10
Carleton 8 3
Macalester 6 5
Colorado 6 10
Bard 3 11
Swarthmore 1 34
Harvard 0 0
Middlebury 0 0
Columbia 0 0
Brown 0 0
Vassar 0 0
Bates 0 0
Wesleyan
Connecticut 0 0
Amherst
McGill
UVM

[Keilexandra]

Note that Swarthmore's merit awards are geo-limited--certain surrounding PA counties and Delmarva Peninsula only.

[jerzgrlmom]

kei-o-lei, you may want to consider U Rochester also - not quite an open curriculum, but almost and they offer several types of merit. Unfortunately, you only get to use one scholarship, even if chosen for several. (check - earlier deadlines for scholarships).

[Kei-o-lei]

Good tip . . . I like the size . . . they have an open curriculum . . . .average merit award is ~ $8600 . . . I like the focus on science . . . also strong in music . . child is pretty much a priori down on a Greek oriented school, so not sure how that'd play.

I appreciate the help!

Kei

[Kei-o-lei]

Hey, you're lucky: you don't need to yet !!!

When my rising senior was a sophomore, we started looking at schools in a light way: take a tour, maybe an info session, walk around the campus, just so he could start getting the feel:
* urban, suburban, rural
* small,medium , large
* liberal arts, pre-professional, co-op
* preppy, nerd, jock, etc.

You get the idea: sample some now while there is NO pressure on you and things will start becoming clearer over time.

Also, if there are subjects you like, sit in an a class in that discipline while you're there.

The worst thing that could happen is that you will not like any of the schools you visit but you will start getting a sense of where you could see yourself . . . all out of the pressure and frenzy of "where do I apply."

Good luck!!

[blackeyedsusan]

I haven't read through this whole thread, so I apologize if this has already been said, but Rice University gives out merit aid to the top 30% of its students -- and it's a FABULOUS school (residential colleges, great interaction with faculty, lots of research opportunities, very inclusive social scene).

Financial Aid at Rice University (See last bullet under heading "For incoming freshmen")

[bigreddawgie]

check out the mcdermott scholars program at ut dallas. The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program

[ana_ro]

I saw that nobody mentioned the Richmond Scholars program yet. It is an incredibly generous program, which offers full-tuition or full-tuition+room and board to about 1/15 from an incoming class. In addition, Richmond Scholars have other benefits such as priority course selection, or a 3000 $ stipend to be used for a project (chosen by the student) of almost any kind. Check it out: Richmond Scholars Program, University of Richmond

[WanToBeABrownie]

Hi ppl ..

I have a problem figuring out which university will give me good scholarship/aid . I am an international student.

My stats are just about average - since i am an international .. figuring out my GPA would be a problem .. but i guess an average of B - B+

My Sat score is 2030 - 700 M , 700 CR , 630 CW

I plan to do an Undergrad degree in Mech Eng

[WanToBeABrownie]

sorry my stats are -

B- to B

BUMP

[WanToBeABrownie]

Bump ... any 1 ... some place where i can get a good (or a very good) scholarship ?

[Keilexandra]

International with those stats and needing FA? Honestly, just stay in your home country and save yourself the heartbreak.