I’ve been reading about and researching guaranteed merit awards for a while. I have never heard of a guaranteed merit award at Oregon…and certainly not for OOS students. Are you sure? If so, could you post the details as they might help someone else too.
You are fortunate that you live in CA, with so many excellent choices for college…and all within your price point as an instate student. I do hope you plan to apply to some of your instate options.