Are Standardized Tests Required for Merit Scholarships?

Written by Shannon Vasconceloson March 10th, 2022

Shannon Vasconcelos has worked in student financial assistance at Boston University and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she served as the assistant director of financial aid. At Tufts, she was responsible for reviewing financial aid applications, determining financial aid awards, and helping families through the college financing process. In addition, Shannon has served as an active member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, as a trainer for the Department of Education’s National Training for Counselors and Mentors, and as a volunteer for FAFSA Day Massachusetts. She has a BA in economics from the University of Massachusetts and an MA in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University.

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In today’s test optional world, are students who don’t submit an ACT or SAT score to a college truly at a disadvantage when it comes to merit scholarship opportunities? Short answer: it depends. Some schools are finding new ways to award merit in response to the COVID pandemic and the lack of safe testing opportunities, while others are still requiring standardized testing as part of their admissions and scholarship review. Watch this video to learn more about the different ways merit is awarded. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to keep up to date on all the latest college planning tips from our college admissions and finance experts.

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Written by Shannon Vasconceloson March 10th, 2022

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