<p>People have to realize that a merit scholarship is like an athletic scholarship. Payment is premised on continued performance. Kind of like the real world -- how about that?</p>
<p>A seven-foot ball dribbler would lose his scholarship if he never came to practice. If your kid is in the top echelon of admittees with a merit ride, good grades are going to be necessary to keep it.</p>
<p>When you accept a merit scholarship, it is a bargain. You become part of the school's "talent" that wealthy parents of less-talented kids will pay full price for, for the privilege of having their kids in class with you. If, for whatever reason, you are not delivering your end of the bargain, so sorry, you're toast.</p>
<p>Now some posters above are worrying how hard will it be for Jr. or Princess to keep their merit award? If your kid has a merit ride, by definition he or she is capable of making all A's if they can get their stuff together right away and rise to the occasion. </p>
<p>So, can your kid do this? You should know the answer. Ask yourself: how disciplined will your kid be when he or she is out of your reach and sight? Some kids, you just know will be fine. Others, maybe not given much of a leash in high school, or borderline already while still living at home, you just know might fall victim to the distractions offered a college freshman.</p>