I don't know about SAT scores for scholarships, for here in the Midwest, ACT seems to be the big test. That said, and I assume this holds true for schools everywhere, some of the more accepting state schools may have lower requirements for Merit Scholarships than the more competitive schools, but if the admission fee is waived, and the child is willing to fill out the app, go for it, what have you got to lose?
Regarding Merit Scholarships, DD #1 had a 32 on her ACT. She qualified for one of the merit scholarships at Purdue with that (which is a 32). DD#2 received a 27 (my bad test taker
). She needs a 28 to qualify at two of the state schools with lower admission standards, and she will hopefully up her grade by one when she retakes. Her GPA will qualify, but not her ACT, for the two schools.
The two other schools DD is applying to, she needs that 32. I do not believe this will happen. She is applying anyway, just to see what happens, since one of the schools is Purdue, and if her sister goes for graduate work there, little sister wants to be there, too (what can I say, they really like each other).
At this point, I am not so sure I want my younger one at a school with admission requirements that are so high. I do not worry that she will be unable to do the work, but I do worry that she will be so lost amongst all the high-achieving students, that she will feel unintelligent and then just give up. This is how she is.
I believe DD will have better success at a school where she will be at the higher end of the admission requirements, and thus have more confidence in her ablity to do well, if that makes any sense? After all, I saw her struggle with self-doubt regarding her intellectual ability in her AP courses, where she was surrounded by her peers that are running for top graduating positions, and many a time she just didn't want to try to succeed. She just didn't feel she would ever measure up to her peers (and her best friends are #1 and #4 in the class, so she is surrounded by very motivated peers!).
This Senior year, DD is taking dual credit courses instead of the AP's with her friends (and at least we know she gets credit for these classes, instead of just hoping she does well on the AP test!). She has the highest grade in these classes, though it is only week 3, so this may change! Yet, she feels so very confident and willing to go above and beyond on her homework, really taking the time to make sure it is all done correctly, because she feels she has a chance to excel in these classes. That's why I am just not so sure that she should go to a school where she is at the low end of the capability ladder! But how do you tell this to your child, without them twisting it in their mind to "mom thinks I am stupid"? Because I know that is what would happen, I would have done the same thing!
Can we please go back to Kindergarten?
I mean he's old enough to grasp how much you don't love him and all so...
Congrats! Getting that first app done is a huge step. 
Needless to say, the apps were put on hold. Thankfully, today is a holiday, so we can get back to it in between caring for the patient.
