How the ACT & SAT Can Affect Scholarship Opportunities for Students

ACT and SAT scores do more than influence college admissions; they can also play a critical role in scholarship opportunities. Many merit-based scholarships consider standardized test scores as part of their eligibility criteria, making strong performance on the ACT or SAT a potential financial advantage.

Some scholarships use ACT or SAT scores as a straightforward cutoff. For example, a scholarship might require a minimum SAT score of 1300 or an ACT composite score of 28 in order to qualify. Students who meet or exceed these thresholds may automatically be considered, while those below the cutoff are ineligible. These types of awards make test performance a clear, measurable factor in scholarship eligibility.

Other scholarships are more holistic, using ACT and SAT scores alongside GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and leadership experience. In these cases, a higher test score can strengthen a student’s overall application, improving their chances of receiving an award, even if it isn’t the sole deciding factor. Some programs weigh test scores heavily, while others use them as a tie-breaker when multiple candidates meet other criteria.

Overall, scholarship requirements can vary widely. Some state and university programs set minimum scores for eligibility, while private organizations may consider a combination of scores and achievements. Early research into scholarship criteria helps students target their preparation and set a target score, ensuring their test performance aligns with potential funding opportunities.

Ultimately, strong ACT or SAT scores can open doors to financial support that makes college more affordable. At Test Prep Chicago, we can help to ensure that students are scoring where they need to in order to be considered for life-changing academic and merit-based scholarships. Although our ACT prep courses have already begun, we have an SAT prep course that is still available for enrollment (click here). We also offer one-day ACT workshops (click here) in advance of April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. For students looking for a more personalized prep program, TPC offers individual tutoring for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT. Click here to learn more.

CPS Graduates Earn Record Amount in Scholarships

The CPS graduating class of 2023 earned a record amount in college scholarships this year - more than $2 billion, compared to $1.5 billion last year. In another first, every high school reported earning some amount of scholarship money.

It’s welcome news for a graduating class whose high school experience was plagued by pandemic closures and remote learning. The district made extra efforts to hold informational sessions for seniors as well as trainings for schools looking to provide their students with added support.

Options to make college more affordable encourage students to not only attend college, but complete their degrees. Although the general trend in the last 10 years shows more CPS students enrolling in college, the percentage of students who actually earn their degrees has not increased dramatically. The district is thus focusing efforts on getting students through college, as well as encouraging students to consider technical and career options.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator

anna@testprepchicago.com

(312) 848-1266