Admissions · college
SAT Scholarship Score Chart
Merit scholarships often reward scores well above a school's average, especially at colleges trying to attract high-scoring students.
Scholarship score bands
Policies vary by college, but these bands are useful for planning.
| SAT score | Scholarship potential | Best target schools |
|---|---|---|
| 1500+ | High | Honors and full-tuition competitions |
| 1400-1490 | Strong | Selective merit programs |
| 1300-1390 | Moderate | Regional and public universities |
| 1200-1290 | School-dependent | Automatic merit at some colleges |
Strategy
For merit aid, target schools where your SAT is above the 75th percentile, not just in range.
Next steps
FAQs
What SAT score gets scholarships?
Many merit scholarships begin around 1300-1400, but competitive awards often require 1450-1500+.
Can SAT scores help with merit aid?
Yes. Many colleges use SAT scores as one factor for merit scholarships and honors programs.
Related SAT resources
- Top Public University SAT Scores
SAT score targets for top public universities, including flagship strategy, 75th-percentile planning, and retake guidance.
- What SAT Score Do You Need for College?
Guide to choosing the SAT score you need for college admissions based on middle-50% ranges, major, and application strategy.