How much is a good ACT or SAT score worth?
Scenario 1: Excellent student in Florida attending a state university or state college
Bright Futures is a truly impressive merit scholarship. A high number of Florida high school students have the requisite grade point average (3.5 weighted or 3.0 weighted for two Bright Futures levels) and the community service hours (100 or 75 respectively). Earning the test score is trickier. Students need a 29 on the ACT or a 1290 on the SAT to earn the Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS). Students need a 26 on the ACT or 1170 on the SAT to earn the Florida Merit Scholars Award (FMS).
The FAS award is 100% of tuition plus $300. At the University of Florida, as an example, tuition is $212.71 per credit hour. This can be $6,681.30 per year or at least $27,725.20 over four years.
The FMS award is 75% of tuition plus $200. This would be $166.28 per credit hour plus $200. This can be $4,988.47 per year or at least $19,953.90 over four years.
Scenario 2: Student attending Auburn University
For students who live in Alabama and have a 28 on the ACT with a 3.5 grade point average, Founders Scholars receive $32,000 over four years at $8,000 per year. University Scholars receive $16,000 over four years at $4,000 per year.
For students who do not reside in Alabama and have a 29 on the ACT with a 3.5 grade point average, Presidential Scholars receive $72,000 over four years at $18,000 per year. Heritage Scholars receive $52,000 over four years at $13,000 per year. Charter Scholars receive $32,000 over four years at $8,000 per year.
Scenario 3: Student-athlete who is offered a full Division I athletic scholarship in football, men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball.
Full scholarships can include “cost of attendance” which includes personal expenses like travel. At Penn State University, a cost of attendance scholarship for a Pennsylvania resident is $36,344 per year. The cost of attendance scholarship for an out-of-state student-athlete is $51,572 per year or more than $200,000 for four years.
In order to be eligible for the scholarship, the student-athlete would have to meet to a minimum grade point average and test score on a sliding scale.
There are dozens of scenarios. Excellent and good ACT or SAT scores can mean thousands of dollars for students. This is the reason that ACT and SAT preparation have become a billion-dollar industry.
Student First Educational Consulting can prepare you for the ACT at a reasonable price. We work one-on-one with students and get great results. We also work with students and families on the college process. If you want to help your child find the right college fit or qualify for merit aid, please contact us for a free consultation.