It’s exciting to dream about the future and look forward to all the possibilities your dream career could bring you. You've got a plan: go to college, get your degree, and grab that dream job. But sometimes, that dream can come with a big challenge: skyrocketing college costs in the U.S. Education comes with a big price, especially for those who can't afford pricey tutors. Most test prep programs primarily serve students from high income families, while many students come from middle-income families too.
But, don't worry! Even with money challenges, you can find affordable online test prep programs that will help you get merit scholarships and make your college dream real. College is expensive, but your test prep doesn't have to be! In this article, we'll explore how test scores and college scholarships connect, and how affordable, quality high school test prep for the SAT®, ACT® and AP® can create more chances for you to get into your dream college.
The Relationship Between Merit Scholarships and Test Scores
Having access to college scholarships makes a big difference. Some scholarships, like athletic scholarships, aren’t an option for most, but merit scholarships are great because they’re tied to academic achievement. Schools often look at scores from tests like the SAT, ACT, or AP as a benchmark for awarding merit-based scholarships, because test scores serve as quantifiable metrics, providing a standardized basis for evaluating candidates.
We’ve compiled a list of scholarships for college-bound students and their award amounts to get you started. There’s also the respective SAT and ACT scores for each scholarship, so you know how much to aim for during your test preparation.
| Grants and Scholarships for High School Students | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | Amount Awarded | Cut-off Scores | ||
| SAT | ACT | GPA | ||
| Army ROTC Scholarship | Varies | 1000 | - | 2.5 |
| Bruce Fishkin Scholarship Fund | Up to $50,000 per year | 1100 | 22 | 3 |
| Mike Molino RV Learning Center Scholarship Program | $2,500 | 1040 | 22 | 2.8 |
| The Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation | $5,000 per year | 1200 | 26 | - |
| Actuarial Diversity Scholarship | $1,000-$4,000 | 620(Math) | 28 | 3 |
| PointTheWay Foundation | Up to $5,000 | 1100 | 22 | 3 |
| American Indian Education Fund | Up to $3,000 | - | 14 | 2 |
| The Anthony Munoz Scholarship Fund | $20,000 | - | 18 | 3 |
| Engebretson Foundation | $10,000 per semester | 1240 | 28 | 3.75 |
| U.S. Air Force ROTC High Achievers Scholarship | Varies up to full tuition | 1240 | 26 | 3 |
| Distinguished Achievement Scholarship (CCU) | $22,000 per year | 1360 | 30 | 4 |
| Trustees' Scholarship (CCU) | $18,000 per year | 1320 | 28 | 3.8 |
| B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship | Direct Education Expenses (1yr) | 1290or equivalent ACT score | - | 3 |
| Herman M. Holloway Sr. Memorial Scholarship | Direct Education Expenses (1yr) | 1000 or equivalent ACT score | - | 3 |
| Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarships | $1,250 per year | 1290 or equivalent ACT score | - | 3 |
| JSU Honors Scholarship | $90,880 over 4 years | 1370+ | 30+ | 3.75+ |
| JSU Leadership Scholarship | $7,500 per year | 1030-1320 | 20-28 | 3 |
| Gold Scholarship (New Mexico Tech) | $5,000 per year | 1360 | 30 | 3.5 |
| Silver Scholarship (New Mexico Tech) | $4,000 per year | 1260 | 27 | 3.25 |
| Copper Scholarship (New Mexico Tech) | $2,000 per year | 1130 | 23 | 3 |
| Ned McWherter Scholars Program (Alabama State) | $6,000 per year | 1430 | 32 | 3.75 |
| Presidential Academic Scholarship (Alabama State) | Full Tuition, books, required fees, and on-campus room and board | 1240 | 26 | 3.76 |
| Academic Excellence Scholarship (Alabama State) | full tuition, required fees, and books | 1160 | 22 | 3.51-3.75 |
| Academic Incentive Scholarship (Alabama State) | full tuition and a $500 book award | 1020 | 20 | 3-3.5 |
| Black and Gold Scholarship (Alabama State) |
#N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| Distinguished Scholars Award (FAMU) | Tuition | 1440 | 32 | 4 |
| George W. Gore (FAMU) | Varies | 1330 | 29 | 3.75 |
| Presidential Special Scholarship (FAMU) | Varies | 1220 | 27 | 3.5 |
| President's Gold (FGCU) Florida Resident | $5,000 per year | 1320 | 28 | 3.9 |
| President's Silver (FGCU) Florida Resident | $3,000 per year | 1220 | 25 | 3.5-3.89 |
| Blue and Green Scholars Award (FGCU) Non-Resident | $15,000 per year | 1320 | 28 | 3.9 |
| Blue and Green Director's Award (FGCU) Non-Resident | $10,000 per year | 1220 | 25 | 3.5-3.89 |
| Presidential (IDU) | $7,500 per year | 1420 | 32 | 4 |
| Presidential (LTU) | $9,000-$9,500 | 1450-1600 | 33+ | 3.0-4.0 |
| Dean's Scholarship (LTU) | $8,000-$8,500 | 1420 | 32 | 3 |
| Outstanding Student (LTU) | $6,000-$6,500 | 1390-1410 | 31 | 3.0-4.0 |
| President's Choice (LTU) | $1,000 | 1030-1120 | 20-22 | 3.75 |
| Platinum Level (MT) | $5,500 per year | 1340 | 29 | 3.45 |
| Gold Level (MT) | $3,000 per year | 1200 | 24 | 3.1 |
| Silver Level (MT) | $2,000 per year | 1110 | 22 | 3 |
| President's Honor Scholarship (TXS) | $12,000 per year | 1420+ | 32+ | Top 25% |
| Texas State Achievement Scholarship | $8,000 per year | 1260 | 27 | Top 25% |
| Texas State Distinguished Scholarship | $5,000 per year | 1160+ | 27 | Top 26%-30% |
| Distinguished Presidential (Tuskegee) | Full tuition, room/board, fees, and $800 books | 1300 | 28 | 3.7 |
| University Merit (Tuskegee) | Full tuition + $800 books | 1200-1290 | 25-27 | 3.5 |
| University Achievement (Tuskegee) | $10,000 | 1100-1190 | 22-24 | 3.3 |
| Alabama Incentive Grant (Tuskegee) | $5,000 + housing | 1030 | 20 | 2.8 |
| Tuskegee University Grant | $8,000 | 1030-1090 | 20 | 3.1 |
| UAH Presidential | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| UAH Academic Excellence | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| UAH Academic Merit | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| UAH Academic Recognition | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| Presidential Elite (Alabama) | Tuition, 1 year of housing at a regular room rate, $1,500 supplemental scholarship per year, $2,000 one time allowance for use in research or international studying. | 1600 | 36 | 4 |
| Presidential (Alabama) | Tuition | 1360-1600 | 30-36 | 3.5+ |
| Foundation in Excellence (Alabama) | $9,000 | 1330 | 29 | 3.5 |
| Collegiate (Alabama) | $8,000 | 1300 | 28 | 3.5 |
| Capstone (Alabama) | $7,000 | 1260 | 27 | 3.5 |
| UA Legends | $6,000 | 1230 | 26 | 3.5 |
| Crimson Achievement | $5,000 | 1200 | 25 | 3.5 |
| UA Recognition | $4,000 | 1160 | 24 | 3.5 |
| President's Distinguished (ULM) | $16,588-$17,588 | - | 30-36 | 3.5 |
| Academic Excellence (ULM) | $13,088 | 1260 | 27 | 3.5 |
| Academic Merit (ULM) | $10,188 | 1130 | 23 | 3.5 |
| Ace's Award (ULM) | $6,788 | 1030 | 20 | 3.5 |
| Academic Merit (Mississippi) | $9,612 | 1450 | 33 | 3 (+$4000 for 3.5) |
| Perfect Score Scholarship (Mizzou) | 100% tuition, $3500 additional stipend, $13,700 one year on campus housing and dining, one time payment $2000 for research and study abroad, $1,000 for tech enrichment | 1570 | 36 | 4 |
| Chancellor's Award (Mizzou) | $7,200 | 1360 | 30 | 3.65 |
| Curators Scholars Award (Mizzou) | $5,000 | 1230 | 26 | 3.35 |
| Excellence Award (Mizzou) | $3,500 | 1060 | 21 | 2.95 |
| Presidential (Utah State) | 100% Tuition & Student Fees | 1450 | 33 | 3.75 |
| Dean's (Utah State) | $7,000 per year: 4 years | 1360 | 30 | 3.55 |
| Scholar (Utah State) | $5,000 per year | 1260 | 27 | 3.3 |
| Merit (Utah State) | $3,500 for 4 years | 1130 | 23 | 3 |
| Land Grant (Utah State) | $2,000 for 4 years | 1060 | 21 | 2.9 |
| Trustee (Utah State) | $1,500 per year | 960 | 18 | 2.7 |
| Volunteer Scholarship (Tennessee) | $9,000 | 1490-16– | 34-36 | - |
| Presidential Honors Scholarship (UTA) | $13,000 award anually | 1500 | 34 | 4 (Top 5%) |
| Presidential Scholarship | $10,000 | 1400 | 31 | 3.9 (Top 15%) |
| Maverick Academic Scholarship | $1,000-$8,000 | 1280 | 27 | 3.7 (Top 25%) |
| Provost (UK) | $2,500- $5,000 | 1230-1300 | 26-28 | 3.50-3.75 |
| Presidential (UK) | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| Otis A. Singletary | Full Tuition and housing stipend | 1450 | 33 | 3.8 |
| Kentucky Governor's Scholar Presidential | Full Tuition | 1390 | 31 | 3.5 |
| Century Scholarship (MTSU) | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| Lightning Scholarship (MTSU) | $3,000 | - | 30 | 3.5 |
| Blue Raider Scholarship (MTSU) | $2,500 | - | 25 | 3.5 |
| Future Alumni Scholarship (MTSU) | $1,500 | - | 22 | 3.5 |
| Award of Excellence (OU) | $4,000 | 1390 | 31 | 3.5 or top 10% |
| Distinguished Scholar (OU) | $3,000 per year | 1330 | 29 | 3.5 or top 10% |
| University Scholarship (OU) | $2,500 | 1300-1320 | 28 | 3.5 or top 10% |
| Academic Achievement (OU) | $2,000 | 1160 | 24 | 3.25 or top 10% |
Doing well on these tests can make a big difference in getting more financial help for college. Exceptional test scores can sometimes open doors to specialized or exclusive merit scholarship programs, especially in highly competitive fields or institutions. A study1 by the NACAC about one-third of selective colleges state that a small increase in standardized test scores could make a difference in an admissions decision. Even a difference of just 10-20 points on the SAT could be a game changer in college admissions. While earning merit-based scholarships depends on other factors, like your high school grades, activities, and essays, good test scores can still make you stand out in the admissions process.
Numbers Don’t Lie –Test Prep Helps
Research4 shows that students who prepare well for standardized exams are seen to perform better than those who take the tests unprepared. Statistically, students from high-income families usually earn more scholarships, especially because they have access to expensive test prep and tutors to help them prepare more effectively for these high-stakes entrance exams and earn top scores which qualify them for college scholarships. Tutoring is highly-effective, sure, but it’s incredibly expensive and can cost hundreds of dollars per hour. Conversely, there are free test preparation resources that provide only a basic level of readiness, which may not enable you to attain the high scores necessary for eligibility in merit-based scholarship programs.
So, is cashing out thousands of dollars the only way to score high on these tests? Absolutely not! Your test preparation doesn't have to drain your savings to be effective! A rigorous, cost-effective test prep resource containing exam-like questions can help you prepare for these tests effectively. And because these prep programs are online, you can study anywhere you want, even on a vacation!
Online Test Prep: A Worthy Investment
Learn Smarter, Retain More
- Quality online test prep programs like UWorld are more rigorous and effective for test preparation
- Learn smarter with comprehensive study materials & detailed answer explanations
- Attractive visuals and flashcards help you retain more of what your learn
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Turn on your Competitive Streak
- Stay on track with timed and untimed tests to target areas where you need more work
- Know where you stand with personalized analytics of your mock-test performances
- Performance trackers help you know how you perform on practice tests compared to other UWorlders
An investment that won’t break the bank
- One-on-one Tutoring cost:
$4005 per AP subject or college entrance exam per year - UWorld test prep cost:
$15 - $96 per AP subject, and $46.44 - $193.2
per college entrance exam per year - Average scholarship amount:
$13,690 per year - Get all that money back and save thousands of dollars in college!
Learn Strategy, Not Just Content
- A Good Test Performance Needs Steady Nerves!
A rigorous test prep program designed to enhance your time-management and test taking skills, ensuring a stress-free test day for you.
An Investment in Your Future
There's no such thing as a free lunch. You pay for it in some way. And usually with your time, your most valuable asset." - Michael Leboeuf
High-quality test preparation programs are meticulously crafted by educators, scholars, and experts, all working diligently to support your success in these examinations. A cost-effective online test prep is designed not only to help you increase your SAT, AP and ACT points, but also to help you master the skills, strategies and content required for your future educational prospects. As they say, the only free test preparation is no test preparation at all! Free test preparation typically lacks comprehensive answer explanations and competitive strategies that can set you apart from your peers. In contrast, high-quality, cost-effective online test preparation is a smart investment that can pave the way for you to secure substantial college scholarships.
Real Success Stories
We will help you achieve your goals. But don’t take our word for it…
UWorld is an amazing tool for every high school student who plans to take the SAT! I’ve had a great experience with UWorld, it’s just like having a personal tutor who helps you correct your mistakes and provides you with the best tactics.”
Read what UWorlders have to say about our SAT, AP and ACT College test prep here.
References
- Briggs. (2009). Preparation For College Admission Exams. files.eric.ed.gov. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED505529.pdf
- Sanchez, Moore, & San Pedro. (2018). Investigating Test Prep Impact On Score Gains Using quasi-Experimental Propensity Score Matching. https://www.act.org. Retrieved November 20, 2024 from https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/R1710-investigating-test-prep-impact-2018-07.pdf
- Zauderer, S. (2023, July 23). 57 Scholarship Statistics, Facts & amp; Demographics. crossrivertherapy.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024 from https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/scholarship-statistics#:~:text=College%20Scholarship%20Statistics&text=On%20average%2C%20first%2Dtime%20undergraduates,22%25%20decrease%20from%20last%20year
- Briggs. (2009). Preparation For College Admission Exams. files.eric.ed.gov. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED505529.pdf
- Sanchez, Moore, & San Pedro. (2018). Investigating Test Prep Impact On Score Gains Using quasi-Experimental Propensity Score Matching. https://www.act.org. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/R1710-investigating-test-prep-impact-2018-07.pdf
- Sanchez, Moore, & San Pedro. (2018). Investigating Test Prep Impact On Score Gains Using quasi-Experimental Propensity Score Matching. https://www.act.org. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/R1710-investigating-test-prep-impact-2018-07.pdf
- Lehane, A. (2021, August 31). I am a Yale grad who charges students up to $85,000 a year for college prep. commandeducation.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.commandeducation.com/press/082921-college-prep-tutor-top-schools-ivy-admissions/
- Fabian-Weber, N., & Fabian-Weber, N. (2023, March 2). How much does a tutor cost?. care.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.care.com/c/how-much-does-a-tutor-cost/
- ACT & SAT Conversion Chart. (n.d.). ulm.edu. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.care.com/c/how-much-does-a-tutor-cost/
- Freshman Scholarships Tuskegee University. (n.d.). tuskegee.edu. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/scholarships/freshman-scholarships
- Application FAQs American Indian College. (n.d.). collegefund.org. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/application-faqs/#:~:text=Students%20must%20be%20enrolled%20full,considered%20for%20all%20scholarship%20opportunities
- Scholarship Guide Middle Tennessee State University. (n.d.). mtsu.edu. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2024/04/ScholarshipGuide.pdf
- Freshman Scholarships Mizzou Admissions. (n.d.). admissions.missouri.edu. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://admissions.missouri.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/freshman-scholarships/
- Freshman Scholarships Mizzou Admissions. (n.d.). admissions.missouri.edu. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://admissions.missouri.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/freshman-scholarships/
