Does anyone have a list of purely merit-based scholarships for seniors entering college next year?
My son, who may be attending Harvard next year (he was admitted SCEA), is looking for scholarships of any amount (even a few hundred dollars helps!) to help him pay off his student contribution. Of course, this means we cannot apply for scholarships specific to a certain school (given that Harvard offers no merit-based scholarships). We do not qualify for any financial-need scholarships.
DS is a very strong student, with perfect GPA, SAT scores, rank, good ECs, and many high-ranking accomplishments at very well-known national and international competitions (ISEF, Siemens Competitions, etc). He does not mind adapting/writing new essays.
Have him look locally. There are some local,scholarships that he might qualify for. Many of these are small amounts and for freshman year only.
Do either of your employers offer scholarships? Some companies do.
I believe any national level scholarships have deadlones which have passed…and most have a need component as well.
Can you afford to send your son to Harvard? Does he have other applications pending where he might garner significant merit aid from the colleges? To be honest, the best merit awards are awarded Dorect,y by colleges that award merit aid.
And just clarifying…he had a 2400 SAT, 4.0 unweighted GPA, number one in his class, and has won Isef and Siemens awards? Yes to all?
I see your son is looking for a way to pay his student contribution. How about a job? That would probably earn him enough to cover the student contribution. He could work this summer, and also plan to work about ten hours a week while in college.
He could also take a $5500 Direct Loan, which is a student loan, if you all complete the FAFSA.
So you are full-pay but going after scholarships that might be worth $500 or so? I always think of those small scholarships as being for kids to whom that amount of money can be really significant.
Also agree with thumper’s suggestion that he get a job.
Thank you all for your help! DS is considering a job, but either way would like to garner whatever outside scholarships he can. We will encourage him to look locally.
In short, yes – while we are certainly not rich, we can afford to send him to Harvard (in large part due to the fantastic FA that the school offers).
Also look into local organizations - Lions Club, Elks, American Legion, etc. Often the HS has some ear-marked for them, but they don’t advertise them well.
He needs a job, if not during the school year, during the summer. Summer job experience especially in his projected field at least tangentially is very very important when finding a full-time job. Even for Harvard grads. (unpaid internships/co-ops can work as well as long as they are essentially jobs)
Oh, and my brother managed to get a one thousand dollar scholarship based on one of our nationalities. Do a search on any and all nationalities your son has.
If you qualify for Harvards need based aid, then you have financial need…or do you have financial need only because at Harvard higher wage earners get need based aid?