Definition of Merit Scholarship?

Hey, my guidance counselor just mentioned merit scholarships and how they could be a big help for college funding. I'm not super sure what that means, though. Can anyone explain further?

Absolutely, happy to clarify. Merit scholarships are a type of financial aid that colleges and universities, as well as some other organizations, offer to students based on their academic or extracurricular achievements. They're essentially rewards given to students who have shown exceptional ability in areas like academics, community service, leadership, or athletics, among others. They're not based on financial need, rather they recognize and reward individual student excellence and achievement.

For example, a high school student who has maintained a high GPA and performed exceptionally well in a particular subject area might be offered a merit scholarship from a college for their academic achievements. Likewise, a student who has shown great leadership or community service might also be awarded a merit scholarship for those specific accomplishments.

It's important to note that the process to get a merit scholarship varies. Some colleges automatically consider students for merit scholarships when they apply, while others require a separate application. Additionally, some merit scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, while others provide a set dollar amount.

To maximize the chances of receiving merit scholarships, students should aim for strong academic performance and take part in meaningful extracurricular activities throughout their high school years. Additionally, they should research scholarships available at each school they are interested in and consider applying to schools where their academic profile is above average; these schools are more likely to offer merit aid to attract high-performing students.