* Your academic merit: Many scholarships are merit-based, rewarding exceptional academic achievement, test scores (SAT/ACT), and GPA.
* Your financial need: Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a significant financial hardship.
* Your background/identity: Some scholarships target specific demographics, such as minorities, first-generation college students, or students from particular geographic regions.
* Your field of study: Some scholarships are specific to certain majors or career paths.
* The school's endowment and scholarship programs: Wealthier institutions often have more robust scholarship programs.
Therefore, instead of looking for a list of schools that *guarantee* full scholarships, you should focus on these strategies:
* Research specific schools' scholarship opportunities: Visit the financial aid or scholarship pages of colleges you're interested in. Look for merit-based, need-based, and specific scholarships that align with your profile.
* Use scholarship search engines: Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Peterson's offer searchable databases of scholarships based on your criteria.
* Apply to a wide range of schools: The more schools you apply to, the greater your chances of receiving some form of financial aid, including scholarships.
* Aim for high grades and test scores: Excellent academic performance significantly increases your eligibility for merit-based scholarships.
* Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is crucial for determining your eligibility for need-based federal aid, which can often be combined with scholarships.
In short, there's no magic list. Finding full scholarships requires diligent research, strong academic performance, and a strategic application process. Focus on identifying schools with robust financial aid programs and aligning your applications with their specific scholarship criteria.