<p>I’ll be willing to wager that most of the selective colleges to which you are applying are 100%-need schools. That is one way to go to try to close a financial gap.</p>
<p>Alternatively many merit scholarships are available that are not NMS based. Some are simply automatic based on test scores and HS GPA, others are competitive. You’ll have to do some research but they are out there.</p>
<p>Some potentially helpful CC threads</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=full+ride+scholarship+list[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=full+ride+scholarship+list</a>
In typical CC fashion some posters are critical of the OP for looking for full scholarships for her children (insert eye-rolling emoticon here). Ignore the detractors- her technique is useful. The general idea is to find schools that are less selective and that want to attract strong students.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html</a></p>
<p>Also this site: [MeritAid.com:</a> Search Merit Scholarships, Academic Scholarships, Merit Awards - Merit Aid - Search](<a href=“Find Scholarships for College Students: Scholarship Database | Cappex”>http://www.meritaid.com/)</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>