1. Searching for Scholarships & Out-of-State Schools
Paying 4 College

2. Researching Out of State Universities
Similar to in-state universities, research academic merit scholarships. Based primarily on unweighted GPA, class rank (weighted for MPS), and SAT/ACT test scores.
Each university typically also has a scholarship “portal” that contains private scholarships that students can apply to.
Net Price Calculators are available on every university website to help estimate grants or academic merit scholarships.
Research schools who meet higher percent of demonstrated student need. Cost of attendance does not always equal total cost.
Work with professionals to lower Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Look for institutional scholarships within specialized areas. (i.e. DECA, athletics, arts, etc.)

3. Western Undergraduate Exchange
Qualify for Reduced Tuition
Choose from over 160 schools in 16 states.
With WUE, out-of-state students pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating schools, compared with nonresident rates that can exceed 300% of in-state rates.

4. National Merit Scholarship
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in High school Juniors enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)—which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.
Dobson offers the PSAT in October of each year. Students should take it as often as they can and utilize study and practice preparation.
The National Merit Scholarship is offered based off of student PSAT scores in their Junior Year.
Students are then notified if they are a National Merit Semi-finalist during September their Senior Year.

5. QuestBridge College Match
Available to all students regardless of citizen status.
Students are generally in the top 5-10% of their class and earn primarily A’s in challenging classes. They earn a 1310 on the SAT or a 28 on the ACT.
Finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a family of four.
The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation's most selective colleges, such as at Stanford, Yale, Princeton, University of Southern California, Dartmouth, Duke, University of Notre Dame, and more.
College Match Scholarships, which are provided by participating colleges, cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, are loan-free, and require no parental contribution.  QuestBridge's college partners are committed to making college affordable for all students — regardless of financial background — and offer generous financial aid packages that cover 100% of demonstrated financial need.

6. United States Service Academies
Candidates receive 4 years of tuition, room/board, medical and dental expenses fully paid to earn a 4 year bachelor’s degree at a prestigious university. US Military Academy at West Point, US Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs are most commonly known.
In exchange, cadets serve in a military capacity for 5 years upon graduation.
The admissions process to the US service academies is an extensive and very competitive process. All these schools are ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.com as some of the most selective colleges and universities in America. The average acceptance rate is between 8-17% for each of the schools.

7. Searching for Scholarships
Look for “stackable” scholarships that can be added onto existing institutional scholarships.
Small amounts add up. Apply for everything you are eligible for.
Often awarded through private organizations - Professional associations, Foundations, Lions, Elks, VFW, Desert Women’s Club, etc.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm – Scholarships are frequently due as early as August of a student’s senior year (and some scholarships are available for 9th, 10th, 11th grade students)
Can be based on a variety of characteristics – academics, personal, leadership, community service, athletics, specific career focus etc.
Students need to use “professional” address.
Students are encouraged to work on volunteering and extra-curricular activities. Students encouraged to develop leadership skills.
Students should work on 2-3 letters of recommendation.

8. Scholarship Search Resources
Dobson Student Advisement Newsfeed –
Monthly Scholarship Meetings & Scholarship Bulletin –
Cappex -
FASTWEB -