All these suggestions are very good but only if the student can handle standardized tests.
@mystifiedStudent Come back with test results.
There are school that offer merit scholarships:
LSU-full ride merit scholarship. MINIMUM Req. are 1430 math+CR and 3.8GPA I think.
Howard University-3.5 UW gpa and 1400 Math+CR. Full tuition, room, board, book voucher.
U alabama: full tuition for 3.5 GPA and 1400 Math+CR