Merit Scholarships: What Colleges Don’t Tell You (But Should)
You hear:
“Your child got a $25,000 scholarship!”
Sounds amazing.
But here’s the reality:
👉 That number is often just a discount—and not always the best one available.
What Merit Aid Really Is
It’s not charity.
It’s pricing strategy.
Colleges use it to:
- Attract students
- Compete with other schools
- Shape their class
The Biggest Misconception
Parents think:
“This is the best we can get.”
It often isn’t.
How Schools Decide Merit
- GPA
- Test scores
- Institutional priorities
Why Similar Students Get Different Offers
Because colleges:
- Discount differently
- Compete differently
The Strategy Most Families Miss
Where your child applies matters as much as their grades.
Leveraging Merit
- Apply to strategic schools
- Use competing offers
- Appeal
Bottom Line
Merit aid isn’t fixed—it’s flexible.
Call today to schedule a free 30 minute call and see how CPS can save you money.