"MAP System" for Merit Aid
Merit Aid Position Builder
Systemize Accomplishments
Merit Aid Position Builder allows you to list your accomplishments throughout high school according to a personal portfolio format. In this way you are in a position to forward your Position Builder Portfolio when applying for merit scholarships.
My Career Profile software builds the portfolio with easy input, and in part here is what we systemize so winning merit aid becomes a successful effort.
SAT ACT Test Scores
These scores are "qualifiers" for comparison purposes regarding academic abilities when comparing students from one state to another state. Some schools are de-emphasizing these in relation to the other positioning criteria.
However, some schools weigh heavily on these test scores. In fact, they can be the difference between getting into an "ok" school and a prestigious school.
In fact, there is a trend with some schools to award merit scholarships if the student scores at a certain level as an "automatic" qualifier.
This is why it is important to research this information in the college selection process when developing your college "short list".
Good Grades
A student should have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. Many colleges feel that good grades in high school are a reflection of the student's success in college, graduating, and becoming an alumnus.
However, if a student shows a particular talent or passion where they excel some schools might want this student, so never give up.
Solid Resume of Achievement
Colleges are looking for students who will contribute to their college, not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. They are looking for all around good students who are involved in activities outside the classroom.
The student should as these questions, "What interest me? How can I make a difference in my high school or community? What do I have a passion for?"
It's not necessarily the number of activities a student participates in, rather did they make a difference in the areas of leadership, commitment, and citizenship.
Some schools will award a student even though heavily involved with on activity when they really make a difference with their contribution.
Apply to 8 - 10 Colleges
Apply for 8 - 10 colleges while grouping them into competition "clusters" whereby they compete for similar students. Both private and public colleges should comprise the list. However, students will be more successful receiving merit aid from private schools unless they have an outstanding academic record.
By using cluster schools you can use one school's tuition reduction award and ask another school to beat it. This competition between schools can be have a positive financial impact.
Apply Early In The School Year
Apply to various colleges early in your senior year, September through December. Once schools begin to fill their incoming freshman class the opportunity to receive tuition discounts dwindles.
Apply to "Cluster Schools"
We have mentioned this above, but there are several types of potential competition that exists between schools. The same athletic conference is an obvious one. Think about others like religious denomination. If you want to attend a Methodist school, apply to a minimum of one other Methodist school within 200 miles if possible.
Apply to Schools With a Low Enrollment Yield
Colleges are in the business of filling their seats. The lower the enrollment yield of the college, the higher the probability of receiving a tuition reduction award. The yield is the number of students who actually enroll divided by the number of students admitted.