I'm starting to put my college list together, and although I do not want cost to be a deciding factor, it does play a role. Could you guys please shed some light on which private colleges are known to offer the most merit aid?
Sure! It's always wise to consider the financial aspect while considering colleges to apply so you don't find yourself facing a financial hurdle later. There's a considerable amount of merit-based aid provided by some top private colleges.
1. Vanderbilt University: This school is known for offering a number of merit aid scholarships, like the Ingram Scholars Program, which covers full tuition, provides a stipend for a summer project, and offers special programming and events.
2. University of Southern California: USC offers numerous scholarships such as the Presidential Scholarship (half tuition), the Trustee Scholarship (full tuition), and the Mork Family Scholarship (full tuition plus $5,000 annual stipend).
3. Emory University: Emory provides a couple of merit-based scholarships, such as the Emory Scholars Program, which offers varying levels of support, some of which are up to full-tuition.
4. Washington University in St. Louis: This school offers the Danforth Scholars Program which can cover full or partial tuition.
5. Duke University: Duke has a range of merit-based scholarships, including the notable Robertson Scholars Leadership Program which covers full tuition, room and board, and provides additional funding for summer experiences.
6. Tulane University: Tulane is known to be generous with merit aid, offering several full-tuition scholarships like the Deans' Honor Scholarship and the Paul Tulane Award.
7. Furman University: Furman offers the James B. Duke Scholarship, which covers full cost of attendance.
8. Wake Forest University: They offer a number of scholarships including the Carswell Scholarship, which pays an annual stipend of up to $15,600.
9. University of Miami: Miami offers a range of scholarships including the Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship, which covers full tuition.
10. Boston University: BU offers the Trustee Scholarship. It's their most prestigious scholarship for students who are leaders and innovators in their communities.
This is not an exhaustive list and the opportunities can certainly depend on students' unique merit profiles. In fact, many colleges offer substantial merit aid, but the amount a particular student might receive will depend on elements like grades, scores, special talents, extracurricular activities, and other factors. Always reach out to the schools directly for most accurate information on merit aid.
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