<p>The UCs do give merit scholarships (e.g. Regents’), but usually not huge ones. Some UC campuses’ Regents’ scholarships cover need with a $0 (instead of $8,500 to $10,000) student contribution, but it is unclear from the web sites whether the out-of-state additional tuition is included (normally, UCs meet full in-state need with an $8,500 to $10,000 student contribution (= direct loan plus work-study) but do not cover the out-of-state additional tuition).</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be surprised if the merit scholarship situation at CSUs is similar.</p>