OU’s NM packages changes every year and I haven’t looked at it this year so I’m not sure what it’s currently like but it is a very generous package though not a full ride. The meteorology program is one of the best in the country. They usually have a NM day on Presidents Day you might try to attend that and learn more about their program.
Here’s a summery of some of the things I liked at OU:
They stack scholarships! you can combine non-need based scholarships with NM with out any reduction of aid. Encourage your daughter to look for women in science type scholarships and local scholarships. Look here for meteorology scholarships: AMS Scholarships and Fellowships - American Meteorological Society My DS go a two AMS scholarships and he also got departmental scholarships later on.
It was pretty easy for my daughter to get paying work with the National Weather Center to supplement her scholarship and build her resume.
They a have wonderful meteorology exchange program with Germany and my daughter spent two summers and a semester in Germany between her internship and the exchange program and loved it!
It was really easy to pick up a math minor with a meteorology major, I think it’s only one extra class.
The cost of living in Norman OK is one of the most affordable in the country.
It was easy to get OU to accept her AP/DE credits
They have a great music program and my DD was able to continue to play concert and ensemble harp and harp lessons they were considered classes and where were largely covered by NM so it saved us what we had been paying in high school for lessons;-) Not all schools allow you to participate in the music program, especially a program as small as Harp, as a non music major so that was a big plus for her.
The things I didn’t like:
The fees are crazy and hard to figure out, you can use some of the scholarship money to cover some of the fees but it won’t cover it all. My daughter had enough out side scholarship money to fully cover her first year. Fees depend on not only exactly what classes you take but also what year you are in which makes it even more confusing. She had less fees her senior year which was nice. She also moved off campus with roommates after freshman year which was much cheaper than the dorms and didn’t need a food plan because she could cook for herself.
As with all scholarships that go above tuition, books and required fees you have to pay takes on scholarship money above that, including scholarships that cover room and board. This is everywhere not OU specific but because part of the NM scholarship comes from the State of OK you also have to file OK state taxes (we live in Texas and aren’t used to doing state taxes). It wasn’t much money maybe $20? but it was a pain to have to do it. Oh and to qualify for additional money from the school like departmental scholarships you really need to fill out FAFSA even though you don’t have to fill it out for their NM scholarship.
DD was NOT impressed with their CS department. She had wanted to double major in Met and CS but was frustrated by the CS department and stopped at a minor.
She really wasn’t into the football/party scene which is very big at OU. She tended to avoid going out on campus during home games.
Other schools she considered for meteorology were:
University of Miami (out of our budget)
Florida State (they were still offering full tuition for NM then, I don’t think they do that now)
Texas A&M - you might want to add that to your list as they still offer a very good NM package and would likely be in your budget.
Both A&M and OU are very homeschool friendly (even back in the day when homeschooling was less common)