How do merit scholarships for college work if my parents make less than $130,000?

I'm trying to figure out how merit scholarships work when considering family income. My parents make under $130,000 a year, and I'm curious if this affects merit-based awards or if those are entirely separate from financial need?

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on a student's academic, artistic, or athletic achievements, leadership, or special talents, rather than the financial need of the student's family. So, your family's income won't typically affect your eligibility for a merit-based scholarship.

However, many colleges do take a holistic approach when distributing scholarships and consider both merit and need. For example, if two students have the same level of merit but different financial needs, a school might choose to award a larger scholarship to the student with greater financial need.

The criteria for each scholarship can vary greatly, and while some scholarships are purely merit-based, others might have a need component as well. It's crucial to do your own research and understand the specific terms and conditions of any scholarship you're pursuing.

The good news is that having a family income under $130,000 could qualify you for significant need-based aid in addition to any merit scholarships you earn. For example, at some highly selective colleges, a family with your income could potentially pay nothing or only a small fraction of the total cost of attendance.

Remember each scholarship and university might have their own unique set of guidelines for applying and receiving these awards, so make sure to understand these more intimately when you apply.