Merit-Based Scholarships: 20 Tips + List of Where to Start Applying

Everyone knows that college tuition tends to be very expensive, but the family doesn’t necessarily have to be the one that pays the bill. When planning for college, it’s important to know about merit-based scholarships, which are a form of financial assistance that some colleges and private organizations offer based on merit alone. In other words, your family’s income doesn’t have to fall below the poverty line to qualify.

But before you start imagining yourself swimming in piles of scholarship money like Scrooge McDuck, we need to have a quick reality check. Merit scholarships don’t happen by accident—it can take a lot of hard work, time, and talent to show that you deserve one. But don’t be discouraged! With the right guidance and a game plan, we’ve seen many students succeed in earning merit scholarships over the years. In this post, we provide 20 tips for how to maximize your odds of earning this type of scholarship, plus a few resources for where to start the process.

Boost Your Chances of Earning a Merit-Based Scholarship

1. Get to know the types of merit aid

Merit aid encompasses many types of scholarships that do not limit access based on financial need. Some colleges and private entities award merit scholarships based on academic accomplishments, while others award scholarships to talented athletes. The arts, community service, extracurriculars, and leadership provide the basis for additional types of merit aid. It’s ideal to play to your strengths and be consistent with the types of activities you do throughout your high school years.

2. Don’t wait until senior year to start looking for scholarships

Students often wait until their junior or senior year to get serious about scholarship applications. Yet, it’s actually never too early to begin applying—including for merit aid. In fact, you can find scholarship opportunities designed for students in kindergarten, as well as those at all grade levels throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

3. Identify private merit scholarship opportunities

The majority of merit aid is offered by colleges and universities. However, there are also quite a few privately funded merit scholarships offered by entities like foundations and companies. You can find local, regional, and national scholarship opportunities by searching through scholarship databases, some of which offer a filter for merit aid.

4. Research local scholarship opportunities

The great thing about local scholarship opportunities is that there will be less competition for them compared to national scholarships. Check with your guidance counselor to learn about local scholarships you may qualify for. In addition, you can visit your town’s public library and ask the librarians for help identifying local merit scholarships.

5. Fill out the FAFSA

While some merit aid is awarded entirely for accomplishments alone, other scholarships are awarded based on a combination of financial need and merit. This isn’t the only reason why you should fill out the FAFSA, however. The FAFSA is also the only way to qualify for federal aid.

One example of a scholarship that considers financial need and merit is the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which selects 1,000 scholars each year to award an average of nearly $13,000 each. Selected scholars must be from a minority background and have demonstrated financial need. In addition, students typically fall within the top 10% of their class.

6. Research the application process for different colleges and universities

At some schools, there is no need to submit a separate application for merit aid; you’ll automatically be considered for it when you apply for admission. At others, however, you will indeed need to submit a separate application. Know the process for your chosen school to avoid missing out on opportunities.

7. Take the PSAT/NMSQT® test

In your junior year, you should take the PSAT/NMSQT test, which will be offered at your school (or a nearby school if you are homeschooled). Taking this test is the only way to potentially qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Be sure to spend plenty of time preparing for it because you have to score in top ½ percent of your state to qualify as a Semifinalist. To learn more about the different steps in this competition, read our National Merit Scholarship Guide.

8. Consider schools in more remote areas

While some adventurous students may travel to the other side of the country or even the world to attend college, many others prefer to go to school close to home. This means that colleges in less urbanized areas may offer less competition for merit aid.

9. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application

While you’re researching scholarship opportunities, be sure to make a note of the deadline. It’s not in your best interests to wait until 10 minutes before the deadline to submit your scholarship application. Anything could happen—a power outage, technical glitch, or last-minute realization that you don’t have all the required information—to make your application late.

Instead, aim to submit your applications as soon as possible—even months ahead of the deadline. That way, you won’t find yourself in a situation in which you’re frantically trying to submit five applications in one week while also preparing for an exam or writing a paper for a class.

10. Avoid targeting only the most selective institutions

In general, it’s usually a bad idea to limit your college list to the institutions at the top of U.S. News’ rankings (yes, even if you’re a valedictorian or perfect scorer). Plus, many families already know that selective institutions, such as the Ivies, do not award merit aid. So why not add a few colleges to your list that have outstanding academics and still offer merit scholarships?

We’re not saying you shouldn’t apply to an Ivy. We just want to emphasize that your list should extend beyond what we consider “reach” schools. Read more about how to build a balanced college list.

11. Work with a college counselor to write great scholarship/admissions essays

Not all merit scholarships (or even admissions departments) require students to submit essays along with their applications. When an essay is required, you should put plenty of effort into it. Consider connecting with a college admissions expert for guidance during the writing and editing process. Read more about KD’s college counseling services.

12. Write unique essays for every application

Although it may be tempting, you should not submit one essay to multiple organizations—even if two or more of them are requesting similar essays. Instead, draft a unique essay for every application.

Look at the extra work as a way of hedging your bets; even if one essay doesn’t get the job done, another essay may stand a better chance of making a great impression and budget your time accordingly.

13. Know your audience for every application

Before writing an essay or filling out an application, take the time to research the entity offering the scholarship. What does the organization care deeply about? What are its mission and values? To whom has it awarded scholarships in the past, and why? Look for ways of adjusting your application and essay accordingly to make yourself a competitive candidate.

14. Enroll in a test prep program

Test scores are an important consideration for many merit-based scholarships. To improve your chances of getting great test scores, consider enrolling in a test prep program. It’s ideal to begin working through a structured program as early as 9th grade. However, even if you’re past this point, a test prep program can help you work toward higher scores.

15. Get involved with your community

Many awarding organizations like to see applicants who demonstrate a commitment to community service. Volunteering once or twice is a good start, but it’s even more impressive if you perform community service consistently throughout your high school years for the same organization or group of organizations.

16. Demonstrate leadership skills

Serving as a volunteer is one way to demonstrate that you have leadership potential. Extracurriculars can also be helpful. In 9th grade, join a few different extracurriculars and see what appeals most to you. Then, try to stick with the ones you’ve chosen throughout high school. With continued participation, you may have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within those clubs.

17. Do your best to maintain a stellar GPA

While one merit scholarship may consider a 3.0 acceptable, another may require a minimum of a 3.8. Although requirements can vary, focusing on your grades is never a bad idea. Not only will it position you to be a strong merit scholarship candidate, but a great GPA will also help you with college admissions.

18. Don’t neglect small scholarship opportunities

Many students ignore smaller awards of $500 or so, choosing instead to focus on applying to scholarships worth thousands. Yet, the larger the scholarship is, the more competition it will have. In addition to applying for larger scholarships, you should submit applications to smaller merit awards. Winning a few of these can make a dent in your college expenses.

19. Build relationships with teachers and other mentors

Some merit scholarships (as well as some college admissions processes) require recommendation letters from teachers or similar individuals. It’s worth your while to not only make a good impression in class but also to actively strive to build strong working relationships with teachers and other mentors (e.g., supervisors at volunteer positions). The better they know you, the more positive things they’ll be able to write about you.

20. Stay organized with your application materials

Organization is essential. If you apply to many different merit-based awards, it’s all too easy to lose track of application materials, essays, documents, and other items. Find an organization system that works for you and stick with it. (And be sure to keep a watchful eye on those deadlines.)

Lists of Merit-Based Scholarships

Now that you have a better idea of how to increase your chances of landing a scholarship or two, it’s time to get to work applying. There are many merit scholarships out there. These websites will point you in the right direction:

What is considered a merit-based scholarship?

A merit-based scholarship is awarded based on pre-defined eligibility criteria like a student’s GPA, test scores, or other skills and abilities. It’s sometimes thought that merit aid is only awarded on the basis of academic achievement, but in fact, a student might also be eligible based on their community service or extracurricular involvement or based on their athletic, artistic, special interest, or leadership ability.

In other words, a merit scholarship might be awarded based on a wide variety of attributes but not based on financial need.

What are the benefits of earning this type of scholarship?

The most obvious benefit of earning merit aid is winning free money for college. Another benefit of having these types of scholarships available is that they are based on eligibility criteria that students can control. Students can’t control their household finances (for need-based scholarships), but they can work hard to become eligible for merit-based aid.

Where can you apply for merit-based scholarships?

We’ve listed a few places to start your search above, but we should also note that many colleges and universities offer merit scholarships. In some cases, students are automatically considered for these scholarships from their college without having to submit a separate application. You can contact the financial department of your school to determine the availability of aid and process for applying, if applicable. In addition, you can apply to merit scholarships offered by private entities, such as foundations, companies, community programs, and other organizations.

Which colleges give out the most merit scholarships?

The following information is applicable to the 2023 to 2024 academic year. These colleges awarded merit aid to significant percentages of their student body:

Manhattan University: 65%
Utah Tech University: 59%
Fairfield University: 56%
The New School: 56%
Samford University: 55%
University of Denver: 55%

See the full list here.

Which colleges don’t give out any merit scholarships?

Unfortunately, none of the eight Ivy League colleges (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, UPenn, Princeton, or Yale) offer merit scholarships. The same is true of other highly selective schools, such as MIT and Stanford. Because these schools are so selective, it could be said that all of their admitted students are high achievers academically, and all or most would likely qualify for merit aid.

Instead, these schools tend to put their financial aid and scholarship dollars toward need-based awards that make high-quality education accessible to students from underserved or disadvantaged backgrounds.

What are the different types of merit aid?

Within the category of merit scholarships, there are different subcategories. These include merit scholarships based on:

Academics
Athletics
Artistic ability (essays, fine art, etc.)
Test scores
Personal achievements
Leadership skills
Community service
Competitions

What is a good GPA or test score range for merit scholarships?

Each merit scholarship establishes its own minimum requirements for students’ GPAs and test scores. In fact, some non-academic merit scholarships may not even have minimum requirements for academic achievement but rather may establish minimum requirements for another type of achievement. It’s ideal to simply try to do your best in school and prepare thoroughly for the tests to put yourself in a strong position.

Can a test score help me earn merit scholarships?

Yes, some merit scholarships do require students to demonstrate a minimum test score, and so doing well on the tests may help you win free money for college. It’s usually a good idea to strive to submit competitive test scores, even when scores are an optional aspect of the application. Sometimes, you’re competing with a large pool of other applicants, so we recommend doing whatever you can to strengthen your application. We also explain in #7 above how taking certain tests can help you qualify for merit scholarship competitions.

Need help preparing for college?

At KD College Prep, we have helped over 85,000 students make their college dreams a reality. If earning a merit scholarship is one of your student’s goals, we can help. Through better test scores and stronger applications, former KD students have earned millions to help pay their way through college.

Explore our test prep and college counseling programs, or schedule a free consultation with an advisor, to learn how we can help you.

WE’RE ALWAYS READY TO CHAT

Reach out to schedule your free consultation today.

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Saadia P. – Class of 2022

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Pranathi P. – Class of 2022

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Armaan C. – Class of 2023

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Sri Vamsi Krishna Putti – Class of 2023, Frisco ISD

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Debra H. – Son, Class of 2023

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Praneel S. – Class of 2023

“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped me with the various steps required for college admissions. At KD I enjoyed learning from amazing teachers, who cared for each of their students individually and were ready to help wherever it was needed. Being a student at KD has also helped me figure out which learning techniques work best for me. The opportunity to engage in different learning methods such as small group interactive learning, larger group discussions, or individual practice are all ways that helped me come up with a learning... Read more...

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Tanisha P. – Class of 2020

“My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into helping me write the best essay possible, especially reviewing my essays twice to polish them completely. In addition, I have noticed that writing my resume has released a lot of stress off my shoulder when it comes to making sure I have all the things necessary to apply to schools.”

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Claudia A. – Class of 2020

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of learning easier. I think that after you started going to a good amount of classes and the workshops, you knew every teacher, and they were always available to answer any questions that you had...Everyone was just so welcoming and made learning more engaging for the students, especially with the workshops. All of had their own unique style of teaching which never made a class boring.”

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of... Read more...

Rishab P. – Class of 2021

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or above... So many people told me it would be impossible to reach my desired score. After months of using KD's methods my scores definitely improved but hovered around 1350—still not near the score I needed but closer. After finally working with both of you during one on ones, my scores started to see heavy improvement and while I didn't get a score of 1520 or above as a single score, I got it as a superscore... Read more...

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David P. – Class of 2022

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in awe at the consistent level of professionalism yet genuine concern for each and every person that walks through their doors. Thank you KD staff for being great mentors for our children!”

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in... Read more...

Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I have finished college applications, and I would love to thank all the teachers and aides at KD for giving me the score that I got on the test. Without the extra practice, I wouldn't have been able to get through to the score I got. These past 3 years went by so fast, and it is so fun to look back at where I started and how much I have come out with flying colors. Thank you so much!”

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I... Read more...

Kareena A. – Class of 2021

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests. The resources were very helpful, and the individualized assistance I received from teachers were what really supported my learning. Special thanks to Ms. Barwick and Mr. Hoffman!”

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests. The resources were... Read more...

Advika R. – Class of 2022

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the summer. She liked being challenged academically, and she loved taking classes with high school students who were focused on their college goals. These students were also excellent role models! The lessons were especially important during the pandemic when it wasn’t a typical middle school experience.”

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the... Read more...

Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got a 1530 on the December 5th SAT test. KD played a huge role in this, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone there for helping me achieve this.”

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"

Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – Class of 2022

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT^® test (third time) and a 35 on my ACT® test (first time). I remember the first ever practice test I took for the SAT test was a 1230 (about 1.5 yrs ago) and the first ever practice test I took for the ACT test was a 31 or 32 (about 6 months ago)."

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT^® test... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well. My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences. My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering. Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

Jon D. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."

Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT^® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit^® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT^®/ACT^® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT^® and ACT^® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."

Morgan D. – Class of 2020

"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT^®/SAT^® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."

Tiffany – Son, Class of 2021

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students wanting an edge on their national test scores!"

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit^® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT^® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice

20 Tips for Earning Merit-Based Scholarships