- Some schools have both merit and need-based aid. Look at for example women's schools like Bryn Mawr and Mt. Holyoke. MHC has a quick NPC on the homepage currently. It asks 6 easy questions and you can get an estimate. Also consider Simmons in Boston, Mils, Agnes Scott, Scripps, Wellesley, Hollins University, Smith. Vassar and Barnard are need-based only (I'm pretty sure) which makes them less attractive to someone seeking merit.
Other colleges that provide excellent education with merit–
Goucher
Muhlenberg
St. Olaf
Earlham
Wooster
Dennison
Union in NY
Beloit
University of the Pacific
Lewis and Clark
Wheaton in Massachusetts
Connecticut College
- Use the website College Navigator. That is run by the government and it has on the left column a college search engine that you can narrow down by region, etc. MOST IMPORTANTLY for you right now, however, is that on each college's page, there is a NET PRICE tab. That tab reveals the on-average price for your income bracket. This can help you narrow down the list of colleges.
- To discover whether a school offers merit, on average how much, and what percentage of students get merit, use the website called College Data. Click on the tab 'money matters"-- that tab often shows merit amounts and what percentage of the student body receives merit -- including those who do not qualify for FA.