Merit-based scholarships at different colleges

I'm trying to make a list of colleges that offer strong merit-based scholarships. Has anyone compiled a list or knows which schools are generous in this area? I'm aiming for places where my hard work could pay off.

Certainly, there are several universities known for their strong merit-based scholarships.

The University of Alabama is one of those institutions that offer significant merit-based aid. If you meet certain GPA and standardized test criteria, you could qualify for sweeping tuition scholarships through their automatic merit awards.

Another one to consider is Tulane University. They offer both partial and full-tuition scholarships based on merit. Their resources are pretty transparent, and they lay out the requirements for their scholarships clearly on their website.

The University of Southern California provides half-tuition scholarships to National Merit Finalists. Moreover, they have a variety of other merit scholarships, some of which cover full tuition.

Northeastern University also has a reputation for generous merit aid with several full-tuition merit scholarships and a wide array of other scholarships based on merit.

Additionally, Vanderbilt University offers three signature scholarships that cover full tuition, and recipients also receive a summer stipend for study abroad, research, or service projects.

Remember that highly selective colleges like Vanderbilt, Duke, and Emory have very competitive merit scholarships. You should consider applying to a mix of less, moderately, and highly selective schools to maximize your chances of receiving merit aid.

Also, ensure that you meet early deadlines (often in November or December of your senior year) for these colleges, as merit aid applications often have separate deadlines from regular admission. Merit scholarships can be highly competitive, so it's crucial to make your application shine - that means strong academics, glowing recommendation letters, and compelling essays. Good luck!