Several Tier 1 Research Universities have guaranteed scholarships based on combinations of SAT and GPA, up to $15,000. These include:
- Michigan State U. - very strong in Nuclear Physics
- Arizona State - solid in both Computer Science and in Aerospace Engineering
- Alabama, Auburn, Arizona, U. Kansas - solid in Aerospace Engineering
Even better, should she win a National Merit Scholar (NMS) or National Merit Semifinalist (NMSF) designation, she may get as much as a full ride from some top-notch schools. The NMF award is really tough to gain if you're in CA, NJ, MA or CT, where the threshold score is extremely high, but if you're not on the coasts, the bar's lower and it's definitely achievable.
If you can get an NMS or NMSF designation, there are at least eight selective research universities that will offer significant merit aid to you and that are ranked among the top 20 or so in certain disciplines which may be of interest to your daughter:
- University of Minnesota - Up to $40,000, competitive - Outstanding in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; also Economics and Aerospace Engineering
- Boston University - $80,000. Very strong in Biomedical Engineering; also International Relations
- U. Southern California - Half-tuition, limited. Very strong in many STEM disciplines; also good for launching a Business career in Silicon Valley.
- Texas A&M - $42,000 for residents, approximately $100,000 for non-residents due to out-of-state tuition waver. Outstanding in Aerospace Engineering and most STEM disciplines
- Northeastern U. - Competitive merit-based award. Strong in Biomedical Engineering, also Computer Science.
- Univ. of Central Florida - Cost of attendance, guaranteed admission to LEAD Scholars Academy and Burnett Honors College, guaranteed housing and laptop computer. Strong in Computer Science.
- University of Cincinnati - Full in-state tuition, guaranteed admission to honors program and $1,500 on-time allocation towards purchase of computer, research or study abroad. 60 available, first-come, first-served. One of the best in the nation for Architecture; also strong in Aerospace Engineering.
- University of Texas - Dallas - Full tuition/fees, $50,000 in stipends to cover other costs and study abroad, guaranteed admission to honors program ($101,000 for residents, $187,000 for non-residents). Very strong in Computer Science.
Here's an extended list:
-Baylor University Full tuition, augmented by SAT/ACT score ($179,368 - $187,368)
-Boston University $80,000
-Brigham Young University - Provo Full tuition, limited availability
-Florida Atlantic University Cost of attendance, regardless of residency
-Florida State University Cost of attendance ($80,000+), guaranteed admission to University Honors Program
-Fordham University Full tuition with A/A- average and top 2-3% of admitted students, competitive
-Gustavus Adolphus College $30,000+, full tuition for 10 candidates
-Hope College $88,000
-Illinois Wesleyan University Up to three scholarships up to $160,000; $16,000 otherwise
-Iowa State University Full tuition for residents, varies for non-residents
-Linfield College Half to full tuition depending on need
-Loyola University Chicago Full tuition for one student, $8,000 if not selected
-Montana State University $6,000 - $18,000 for residents, $10,000 - $66,000 for non-residents plus guaranteed admission to MSU Honors College, guaranteed placement in honors housing and priority course registration; limit of 10 awards per year
-New College of Florida Cost of attendance for those qualifying for the Benacquisto Scholarship
-New Jersey Institute of Technology Full tuition and fees
-Northeastern University Competitive merit-based award
-Northern Arizona University Full tuition plus $2,000 stipend, automatic entry into Honors College
-Oklahoma State University Five year full tuition waiver ($67,800 for residents, $145,400 for non-residents)
-Texas A&M University $42,000 for residents, approximately $100,000 for non-residents due to out-of-state tuition waver
-Texas Tech University Cost of attendance
-University of Alabama Full tuition up to 5 years, four years of on-campus housing, $14,000 stipend, $2,000 allowance for research or study abroad, $1,000 technology enrichment allowance
-University of Arizona $72,000 (full tuition plus) + $1,500 for study abroad for residents, varies for non-residents + $1,500 for study abroad depending on GPA and test scores
-University of Arkansas $40,000
-University of Central Florida Cost of attendance, guaranteed admission to LEAD Scholars Academy and Burnett Honors College, guaranteed housing and laptop computer
-University of Cincinnati Full in-state tuition, guaranteed admission to honors program and $1,500 on-time allocation towards purchase of computer, research or study abroad. 60 available, first-come, first-served
-University of Dallas Full tuition, limited to 10 students
-University of Florida Cost of attendance
-University of Houston Full cost of tuition/fees, + $1,000 research and $2,000 study abroad stipends ($47,000)
-University of Idaho Basic cost of attendance ($66,976 for residents, $137,520 for non-residents)
-University of Kansas $40,000 for residents
-University of Kentucky Full in-state or out-of-state tuition and housing stipend
-University of Louisville Full in-state tuition + $32,000 allowance for room, board and books or $80,000 for out-of-state students
-University of Maine Full tuition and most fees
-University of Miami Cost of attendance (for Florida residents only)
-University of Minnesota Up to $40,000, competitive
-University of Minnesota - Morris Full tuition
-University of Mississippi Full tuition + room ($54,776 for residents, $118,592 for non-residents)
-University of Nebraska Full tuition + $8,000
-University of Nevada - Reno Up to $64,000 + guaranteed admission to honors program
-University of New Mexico $75,212 for residents, $137,792 for non-residents + iPad
-University of North Dakota Full tuition/fee waiver for ND and MN residents
-University of Oklahoma $63,000 for residents, $116,000 for non-residents
-University of Saint Thomas - MN $40,000
-University of South Carolina $40,000 for residents, up to $104,000 with tuition reduction for non-residents
-University of South Florida Full cost of attendance, guaranteed admittance to honors college and on-campus housing
-University of Southern California Half-tuition, limited
-University of Texas - Dallas Full tuition/fees, $50,000 in stipends to cover other costs and study abroad, guaranteed admission to honors program ($101,000 for residents, $187,000 for non-residents)