[mtbopfuyn]

Others got the scholarship who went to non-competitive schools where English was a second language.

That's why I'm pushing mine to keep in the top 10%. Right now with colleges pandering to illegals that law is the only thing that will guarantee there's a desk available for my child. It's to the point, I just want the desk and I'll worry about the $$$ later. I know there won't be scholorships that amount to anything because she's not a minority or has some sob story to tell them about life in the mother country. I just want her admitted. Look at most any US college web site and you'll see they cater to illegals. While scouting out universities for my child who happens to be a white AP honor student and #4 in the class, I'm seeing lots of preferential admittance for those from lower socio-economic areas, underserved regions with particular emphasis on southern Texas, bilingual, educationally disadvantaged (excuse me, this from the medical field?), race/ethnicity, success in overcoming adverse family experiences, and they almost come out and state they will turn a blind eye to residence status.

[ladyjane]

Try not to worry too much about your honor student child who is #4 in her class. She is doing exceptionally well in high school and will do the same when she gets to college and later out in the world of work.

Hands down the best students I’ve dealt with are those who needed to work while they were in school. Some of them even had to take a leave of absence for financial reasons. While away they would take courses at the local community college (at a very low cost) and transfer those courses to their more expensive university. That way they were able to graduate with their class but save A LOT of money at the same time.

[SuziQ]

Your daughter will have an advantage because she's a girl, especially if she wants to go into any scientific, math, or engineering program. Our #1 son was #4 in his class and got a full scholarship to a state school. Our #2 son was also #4 in his class, but because he chose a very competitive private school, and he didn't apply for any particular scholarships, he didn't get any. He got 'financial aid' because our #1 son was in college at the same time. The FAFSA forms don't ask if the other kids in college have scholarships. ;o) He took out loans for the remainder. Our daughter got a scholarship to the small, Catholic University because she had a good SAT score. Remains to be seen about the youngest son, but he's a Senior so he'll have to start working on this soon.

There are websites out there that give all kinds of info about scholarships. Whatever you do, DO NOT sign up with a company that you have to pay them to search for you; it's not necessary, unless you just don't have the time or the internet skills to do the research. Have your daughter do some searching. I remember reading about a young women who did her research and ended up with $250,000 in scholarship offers! Just involves doing a lot of applications, getting recommendations lined up and polishing up those essay skills!