<p>I found out a while ago that I needed to apply early to Purdue if I wanted to even be eligible for a merit scholarship, and I was planning on applying regular decision so this really messed with my plans.</p>
<p>I hadn't heard of this being a rule before. Do most colleges have this rule that you have to apply early action to get a merit-based scholarship or is it just a few? </p>
<p>Each school has its own rules. I have heard that Purdue has an early app deadline for merit. Maybe that’s how they determine true interest in the school.</p>
<p>Some other schools may not require ED or EA, but they may have scholarship deadlines that are in the fall/winter.</p>
<p>Every college sets their own rules, but most of the ones my kids have looked at do require you to have your application in well before the regular decision deadline to be considered for merit scholarships. Some schools will also have an additional application for certain programs such as Honors, which may come with merit money if accepted. Other schools don’t require any additional documentation, they’ll contact you if you meet their threshold for merit. You’ll have to look at the Scholarships page on the web site of each school you are applying to and find out what their deadlines are.</p>
<p>My kids have looked at mostly smaller LACs, so what I’ve seen may mostly be applicable to that type of school.</p>
<p>Yes. This is a typical practice. In grad school at Purdue and my undergrad university also required me to apply early.</p>
<p>Many schools have similar policy. Some schools have separated merit scholarship deadlines that are before or around RD deadline making it impossible to apply if not admitted in EA/ED.</p>