<p>What do colleges look at for merit aid? The overall applicant? Or just test scores? My ACT is a 35 but the rest of my application is average-ish, so I'm hoping it has to do with test scores..</p>
<p>Or is this something that is determined solely on individual college policies?</p>
<p>Look at colleges with automatic scholarships for NMS assuming you did as well on the PSAT. Typically though, colleges look at the full picture.</p>
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<p>Yes. Not all colleges offer merit aid. Some offer merit aid for grades and SAT scores. Some offer it for that, plus an essay. Some of them offer it for community service activities. A few offer it for playing some sort of instrument. And you always have the handful of weird scholarships for red-headed Libyans who play racquetball with their left hands, which are endowed by insane alumni.</p>
<p>You might want to look here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=guaranteed[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=guaranteed</a> Most schools look for grades and scores.</p>
<p>Depends on the college, some look at diversity and some look at raw numbers. State schools are more likely to look at numbers. Large public schools in the South will offer you big aid solely on your test score for example. My overall application was incredibly mediocre besides a 34 ACT and I got a full scholarship.</p>
<p>It varies highly depending on the school. As other responders have mentioned, sometime you are required to submit additional materials to be considered for some merit scholarships–particularly full ride/honors scholarships.</p>
<p>I would suggest you give your FA department a call. They can answer specific questions or point you to a list of merit scholarship detailss posted online.</p>