High SAT Scores Can Make College More Affordable

College is expensive, and by the time you start seriously looking at tuition prices, there’s only so much you can do to bring your GPA up to qualify for merit based scholarships. One thing you can do to make an impact is to improve your SAT score. In order to qualify for most merit based scholarships you’ll need a score between 1200 and 1600, and the higher you score within that range, the more financial help becomes available. That’s just a general estimate, so if you have you eye on a specific school (or schools) you should find any minimum SAT requirements listed on their websites. Average them together, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what your goals should be.

Many schools offer automatic scholarships, meaning if your scores are high enough you’ll be offered a scholarship as you’re accepted. Most schools also offer general merit scholarships. You apply for those separately, often with an essay. General merit scholarships are limited, so you will be competing with other students. If you meet the criteria, it’s always worth it to fill out the application.

There are also a great deal of private scholarships, or scholarships not affiliated with a specific college or university. Many are merit based, but many are not. Your academic interests, summer jobs, hobbies, and general aptitude for writing essays can take you incredibly far, but the higher your SAT score, the more you’ll stand out from the crowd as a promising candidate.

Great SAT scores can open the door to a world of financial options for prospective college students. It’s important to set goals high enough to achieve both automatic and general merit scholarships, but don’t be limited by what your chosen school offers. Private scholarships can be a goldmine for high achievers. Attest offers virtual SAT prep courses to help improve your scores and make you eligible for the scholarships that make college accessible. We also offer in-person SAT preparation in Charleston and Lexington,SC.

Contact us today to learn more or click here to view our live SAT prep class schedule!