When searching for merit scholarships, I kept hitting walls because I was only looking at the big-name schools. I finally decided to broaden my horizons and explored smaller colleges, and guess what? They have awesome merit scholarships specifically for international students with less competition!
Also, I joined some online forums and groups where students shared lesser-known opportunities. It really opened my eyes to what’s available. Don't overlook those smaller schools—they might have the perfect scholarship waiting for you!