<p>Quick question... is Merit Scholarships given to people that could qualify for Financial Aid or given to those who do not qualify for Financial Aid ?</p>
<p>If the first, it would limit the pool to those who need Merit but don't qualify for Financial Aid</p>
<p>Thanks for response</p>
<p>S got considerable merit based on academic accomplishments. We do not qualify for FA. I think many schools have automatic merit based on grades and SAT scores. Others will look at the overall package, determine how much they want you and calculate how much money they need to give you to come.</p>
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<p>Merit awards are given based on the strength of the applicants stats…typically standardized test scores and GPA. Some merit awards are based on a separate application but includes these stats as well.</p>
<p>Need based financial aid is given to students based on their family financial need as the school calculates it.</p>
<p>Some MERIT awards actually HAVE a need component to them. If you don’t have need you are not eligible for those awards. Some don’t have a need component at all and are awarded only based on strength of application.</p>
<p>SOME schools do allow “stacking” of merit and need based awards up to the cost of attendance. This is not all that common.</p>
<p>Many schools will reduce your financial NEED by any merit awards you receive.</p>
<p>You would need to check EACH college for their policy.</p>