I’m a high school senior and I applied to most of my colleges Early Action. It’s (obviously) January 1st, and my application fees have been waived, so I was wondering what schools were known for high merit scholarships so I could throw a few in for Regular. Both of my parents lost their jobs last year but their tax returns don’t show that they no longer have income as they had a severance package (now over) so financial aid is a tricky animal, and I’m relying on merit money. I’m from PA, I have a 3.69 UW GPA, and a 1510 SAT. Any help is appreciated.
Unfortunately you may have missed many deadlines for merit aid applications. For example, University of Alabama, very generous to high achieving out of state students, has a December 15 deadline.
Check out asu @ Arizona New Mexico and Nevada flagships. Although it may be too late there.
Also you’ve applied ea so perhaps there is good news already. And I hope you applied to Pitt and psu
Darn! You’ve missed a lot of deadlines for merit!!
Are you a NMSF???
What is your major and career goal?
Have your parents found new jobs? Jobs are quite plentiful right now, so hopefully they find jobs soon. Or are they taking a break from employment?
Unfortunately I think you missed most deadlines, especially for public schools 
Juniata in PA came in with $36K in merit for my son, and they were also very generous with school need-based grant, etc.
They’re on the Common App, and their Early Action deadline is January 5, so you have just enough time to get this one in.
Their Regular Decision deadline is March 15.
Also consider applying to the University of Alabama - Huntsville. Many don’t realize this, but it’s a solid school, particularly for the more STEM-oriented. Great internship opportunities there because of all of the various gov’t contractors (Lockheed Martin, etc.)
UAH has generous automatic-by-stats scholarships, and if you contact them they’ll almost certainly waive your app fee. They do that for TONS of folks.
Rolling admissions.
Link: https://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply-for-admission/freshmen
You should look into Miami University of Ohio. It’s regarded as a “Public Ivy League” in terms of prestige, and if you get a 1450+ on your SAT (and have a 3.5< gpa), they guarantee half to full tuition, even for non-Ohio residents! Also, I believe there is still plenty of time before the regular decision deadline.
https://miamioh.edu/admission/merit-guarantee/
I hope this helps 
^^^ Great idea!
Miami’s RD deadline is February 1, so there’s still time to put together an app. And Miami will honor your Common App fee waiver.
http://www.miamioh.edu/admission/high-school/application/deadlines/index.html