Ricky Said:

I need a good list of merit-based scholarships.?

We Answered:

Well, Amy, that's the challenge of scholarships - it's almost as difficult to hunt them down as it is to win them. To the extent that collections exist, the better collections do a better job classifying them, but of course, it's a lot of work to keep up with the ever-changing availability, rules, contact info, etc.

That's why you should expect to have to pay for the really good "lists" - someone has invested a lot of time and money in maintaining them.

Your local bookstore is filled with books about scholarship opportunities, the SAT people "College Board" publish an annual guide ("Scholarship Handbook 2010"), as do Kaplan, Peterson's and a gazillion other publishers. A quick search of Amazon for "scholarships" turns up 2303 matches, many which actually have nothing to do with college scholarships (the search term is too broad), but quite a few excellent possibilities for you. Most of the guides seem to be around $20.

If fastweb and zinch are too disorganized for you - try the annual publications - you may even find last year's issue in your library, which could save you several bucks. Don't forget to take advantage of what is arguably the best free resource - your high school guidance counselor or college advisor.

I like to tell people that scholarship competitions are like world class marathons - you know, like the Boston Marathon. If you're an extraordinary runner, you don't care that they'll be 25,000 competitors running alongside - only a handful of them are your real competition. It's like that with scholarships - if you're a world class scholar - you'll compete effectively for the scholarships that 10,000 other people are applying for.

Top local runners know to compete in local race events - that's where they've got their best chance for success. Same, again, with scholarships - if you're a top local student, but not a world class scholar, you should focus your energies on smaller, local scholarships that attract fewer entrants. Your counselor knows about these scholarships - and that's why he/she is an excellent resource.

Good luck!

Margie Said:

Do merit-based scholarships count toward the EFC or not?

We Answered:

careers.scienceontheweb.net - try this site. It has info about different US scholarships for college students and their grades requirements.

Brenda Said:

Is it greedy for me to apply for merit based scholarships if I don't need financial assistance?

We Answered:

No way! If you have worked hard and met the qualifications you deserve it! College is very expensive; its money you can save to put towards books or something else.

Adrian Said:

Is it true NYU has cut all merit-based scholarships or financial aid?

We Answered:

Even if they did reduce them, they can't have cut them altogether, because most scholarships come from endowed funds given by donors, and most donors restrict how that money is to be spent. If a donor said they wanted it to go to outstanding students, the university cannot then instead make it into a need-based scholarship.

Yes, the tuition is the same for both residents and out-of-state students, since NYU is a private universities (it is only the public universities that are subsidized for their own residents and thus charge differential rates).

Nellie Said:

Need and merit based scholarships for current HS senior?

We Answered:

First check the websites of the colelges you are interested in. Each university has its own Financial Aid office, with links to scholarship information, or even a Scholarship Resource Center (UCLA has a great center). Also check the Alumni Association for each university - they often give out scholarships as well.
Even if you don't plan to attend a particular university, it may be able to provide links to general scholarships.

Also look for "Self-Help Grants". If you qualify for work-study, Stafford, or Perkins loans, then these grants can help pay those loans.