<p>You want private and merit money? They are mostly competitive, so it is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>Vandy has some. So does Notre Dame, but there are so few.</p>
<p>If you want more options, look into the other state schools. Some give a great deal of money for merit. I would quibble with Purple Titan about which schools are more prestigious that which for STEM, but the premise is solid. Illinois is one of the top schools so you may be best served going there.</p>