<p>Lots of times, good merit aid at a private school merely makes it as affordable as the in-state public. Now, that will give you more options to consider and you can pick the best fit. Great merit aid, the kind that makes a private school cost less than your in-state public, is a pretty difficult prize to attain, but hey, somebody gets those awards every year. Try for them, just don’t fall in love with a program you can’t afford without the big prize. Have several schools you’d be happy to attend on the list. </p>
<p>As a rule, you’ll get very little aid, merit or otherwise, form OOS publics. There are lists on the fin aid forum of schools where the bill for OOS will be less than $25. Might be worth checking out. There also a list of guaranteed full tuition and full ride merit scholarships. </p>