Is Merit Aid possible? PLEASE HELP

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I recently took the SAT on December 1 and my score, I felt like, was much better than the first. The first time I took the SAT I got a 1450 and this time I got a 1720.
580 in CR, 510 in Math (not my strong suit at ALL) and 630 in writing. I'm applying to VCU, ODU, Hampton, Howard and George Mason...although I might be applying to Virginia State University as a back up school. Because my CR and Math combined is 1090 and not 1100, the min. SAT for a lot of merit scholarships does this kill my chances for any merit based scholarships? My GPA is a 3.6, I take four IB courses this year and I have a fairly good amount of extra curriculars. (Art club, music honor society, choir, recycling, key club, peer helper etc, piano teacher, jack and jill of america inc [huge community service]. and a few others) Are my chances of merit scholarships shot because my SAT is 10 points away from the requirement? </p>

<p>I'm really stressing over this. </p>

<p>Thank you in advanced!</p>

<p>If 1100 is actually a required threshold for a scholarship, then you won’t be considered. However, it is the average/recommended/etc. for successful candidates, then you will still be considered.</p>

<p>Because my CR and Math combined is 1090 and not 1100, the min. SAT for a lot of merit scholarships</p>

<p>where are you seeing that a 1100 is the score that is needed for merit? </p>

<p>If a school states that a 1100 is the minimum, then likely that is where they’ve “drawn the line”. They have to draw the line somewhere. </p>

<p>That said, an 1100 is often too low for scholarships, so that’s why I was wondering where you’re seeing that that is the req’t.</p>

<p>I looked at the websites and it said it is the recommended combined score CR and Math score along with a certain GPA. So for example at Howard the legacy scholarship is between 1170-1290 CR and Math combined with at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. Would I not even be considered for the scholarship although my GPA is higher than required but not my SAT? I guess that’s where’s I’m getting confused. My GPA meets the qualifications but my SAT does not. Because of this will I not be considered?</p>

<p>Since it says applicants need a certain SAT score “with” a certain GPA, this suggests the pool includes people with both of those figures. However, if you want, you can call the financial aid office to check.</p>

<p>It depends upon the scholarship. You have to ask if the parameters are just guidelines or are firm cut offs. They can be either.</p>

<p>Idk about other schools, but for Howard:no you wont be considered for that scholarship. Trust me, I know thats frustrating especially with your gpa (i missed the sat cutoff by 20points aka 3-4 questions, but i have the gpa grrr), but those freshmen scholarships are the only merit aid given out…if Howard is one of your top choices and you really need the money, I’d recommend taking the SAT again</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for their help. No, Howard isn’t my top choice, I have also heard (from a friend who got a full ride there >_>) that they are very stingy with their money. I don’t really need the money but I was hoping that I’d qualify for something…I am taking the advice given and emailing financial aid in regards to my questions. Again thank you to everyone who gave me advice! Guess I’ll either have to take the SAT again or start applying for any other scholarship I can find.</p>

<p>I suggest taking ACT test. You might do better . My daughter had similar scores to yours and then she took ACT test… rcvd composite of 28 , which got her Legsacy scholarship at Howard. So give ACT test try. One of benefits of ACT test is no deduction for incorrect answers unlike the SAT.</p>

<p>The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation works with about 30 schools and provides a bunch of merit based scholarships. Might be worth checking out? You sound qualified for it. Here’s the link, if you’re interested: [Stamps</a> Foundation - Stamps Foundation Blog](<a href=“http://www.stampsfoundation.org/]Stamps”>http://www.stampsfoundation.org/) Good luck!</p>