Students should check with each school in which they're interested for the criteria for merit scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students based upon academic merit. The awards can be applied to any college or university to meet educational expenses at that school. Many states offer scholarship assistance to academically talented students. Students should obtain the eligibility criteria from their state's education office.
Many schools offer scholarships to athletically talented students.
Parents and students should be careful, however, to weigh the benefits of an athletic scholarship against the demands of this type of award. Some colleges and universities offer special grants or scholarships to students with particular talents. Music, journalism, and drama are a few categories for which these awards are made. A state college or university charges lower fees to state residents. Since public institutions are subsidized by state revenues, their tuition costs are lower than private schools' costs.