<p>There are purely merit based scholarships at many schools. D focused her search on school that offered these scholarships. She received scholarships from several schools simply based on her app (at some of them, she also was invited to apply for the top scholarships). There are merit scholarships available even for very-good-but-not-top students. While 2k, $5k, or $10k per year doesn’t pay the bills at most schools, it would be a very welcome amount for a family that isn’t eligible for need based aid!</p>
<p>Schools that offered my D scholarships on the basis of her app alone: Rhodes, Furman, Denison, DePauw, Centre, Hendrix. I know kids who have 27 ACTs who have received merit scholarships at schools like Albion, Alma, Ferris State in Michigan. I know a kid going to Wayne State who had a 26 & is a Presidential Scholar (full tuition). I am sure there are plenty of others!</p>