Yes, mine is/will be taking AP and dual credit classes so should have at least enough hours to be classified a sophomore by the end of high school. However, here you must pay for the AP test and there is a couple hundred dollar fee for the dual credit class so it’s not all free.
What’s this state merit scholarship? The National Merit Scholarship is only $2500.
Qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship is a sliding scale as well. If you are a student in, say, Maryland, your PSAT score needs to be significantly higher than if you are a student in West Virginia.
In Florida it’s called Bright Futures, in Georgia it’s called The Hope Scholarship. It pays tuition to a state college (for instance UF, FSU, etc. in Florida; GaTech or U of GA in Georgia, and all other state 4 year public colleges) for up to 21 hours per term, for four years, as long as the student maintains a certain grade average. The student/parents must be residents and it is earned primarily through SAT/ACT score, GPA, etc. It also includes a small stipend for books ($300 which covers the cost of books for a couple classes, at least.)
http://www.gsfc.org/hope/
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/