I was wondering where I should send my scores for the ACT and SAT, as they only allow you to send it to 4 universities. I am a National Merit finalist and have only taken the ACT once with a score of 33. I want to send the scores to he universities that will most likely offer me free tuition and room and board since my mom does not make a lot of money ($44,000 gross). In addition, I have a 3.7 average and want to major in biology. HELP!
You’ve misunderstood. You’re only given 4 “free sends”. You can send to as many schools as you want, but you have to pay.
Sounds like you’re a junior? If so, then you’re not yet a NMF, you’re not yet a NMSF. If your score is high enough that you’re a likely NMSF/NMF, then what is your situation? What is your PSAT score? What is your home state?
Looking for large merit, right? Well, apply to Alabama and the others that give huge merit for NMF.
What is your major and career goal?
Have you asked your parents how much they’ll pay for college each year? Does your mom get child support? Do you have a non-custodial parent?
Look at the schools on this list - they all offer scholarships that are automatic/guaranteed for students with the requisite GPA & ACT scores:
[YOLA: Automatic Full Tuition](http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/)
That means that if you have qualifying scores your tuition (and in some cases tuition plus room/board) is guaranteed, so long as you apply by the school’s deadline. Some of the schools also have additional scholarships and/or honors programs that you may want to apply for also. Pick your two or three favorite choices from this list, and have your scores sent to those schools. Then send your remaining one or two free score reports to the most affordable state colleges or universities you can find within your own state.
If you do this, your safety schools are taken care of. You may, however, want to retake the ACT in June, and see if you can get that score any higher. The higher the score, the better your chance of being awarded a scholarship at schools that offer competitive scholarships, or of being admitted to a school that will guarantee to meet your full need.**
[Competitive Full Tuition/Full Ride Scholarships](Competitive Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums)
[Colleges that Claim to Meet Full Need](http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014)**