I want to start by saying…your son is a very strong applicant…but merit aid is not guaranteed at his preferred choices.
Where on a college application is there a spot for “student can only attend if he gets a significant merit scholarship”? There isn’t any such spot.
If you can’t afford the cost to attend…I would suggest your student not apply ED. It’s not going to give him an edge in terms of merit aid.
Some folks think that applying ED actually decreases your merit aid potential because you are indicating you plan to attend if accepted. What incentive does the school have to offer merit aid in this situation. I’m not sure I totally believe that, but it is surely possible at some schools.
You are so fortunate to have instate options like UVA and WM. What about Virginia Tech?
Your son’s stats would also garner him significant merit aid at University of Alabama…the STEM programs are very good.
Places like Duke, Vandy and Chicago do give merit aid awards…but keep in mind, your son will be competing with similarly strong students for these awards. I would say…apply and see…nothing wrong with that as he is in the ballpark but not guaranteed a merit award at these schools.
Some schools do have merit aid potential in their net price calculators. These will ask for stats…do any of these schools have this on their NPCs?
Are you asking for suggestions of other colleges where he oiled have merit aid potential and the schools would be at your price point…whatever that is?