<p>To give you some idea of expectations, here’s the University of Alabama’s page on merit scholarships for out-of-state applicants:
[url=<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama<a href=“You’d%20need%20a%20minimum%20GPA%20of%203.5%20and%20a%20minimum%201400%20CR+M%20SAT%20points,%20with%20the%20application%20submitted%20by%20Dec.%201,%20just%20to%20be%20considered%20for%20full%20tuition”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>Here’s Transylvania University’s page:
[url=<a href=“http://www.transy.edu/admissions/aid/academic_scholarships.htm]Transylvania”>Scholarships, Grants and Aid - Transylvania University]Transylvania</a> University. Academic and Other Scholarships<a href=“A%203.3%20GPA,%20with%201260%20CR+M%20and%20an%20application%20by%20Feb.%2001,%20could%20get%20you%20$10K/year%20against%20total%20costs%20of%20%7E$39K/year”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>If you need more than the above, look at less selective schools where your stats will stand out. Unfortunately, though, the much less selective schools typically have less money to offer. So rather than looking for a “full ride”, it may be more realistic to look for a less expensive, more affordable school (such as a local directional state university or community college).</p>
<p>I agree that some of the “Colleges That Change Lives” might be worth a look for merit money.</p>