JCP Families,One of the many attributes we work hard to provide at JCP is keeping our families In the Know. As we move through this admissions cycle, we want to share updated information about the current college landscape—specifically, what it now means financially to send our students into this next chapter of life and career. 

Short answer:

This has been a disappointing year for college merit scholarships nationwide. The primary reasons include increased competition, shifts in how colleges allocate aid, and changes in applicant profiles. More students are applying for the same or fewer merit dollars, and many colleges are redirecting funds toward need-based aid.

Sources: ScholarshipsandGrants.us, degreecalc.com

Why merit scholarships felt harder to get this year:

1. Competition has intensified. Only about 11% of college students receive any scholarship money at all, and the number of applicants continues to rise.
Source: ScholarshipsandGrants.usMore students with strong GPAs, test scores, and extracurriculars are competing for the same awards, naturally lowering the odds for everyone.This number surprised even us. In 11 years, we have consistently seen JCP students receive merit dollars before any need-based aid. Most of our families do not qualify for federal need-based aid, yet understandably ask:
“Why should we pay full price when our student did everything right?”
It’s a fair question—and one we hear often.Context:

• The average cost of college in the U.S. today is $39,821 per year.
• The low average is $20,570, and the high is $62,990.
• These figures reflect tuition only—not room & board, meal plans, books, technology, or personal expenses.
• The average JCP student currently pays $28,090 per year total.

2. Colleges are shifting money away from merit aid. Many colleges historically used merit scholarships to attract top students. Recently, however, some institutions have redirected funds toward need-based aid to improve socioeconomic diversity or address financial pressures. The result:
Fewer or smaller merit awards—even for high-achieving applicants.

3. Test-optional admissions changed the landscapeTest-optional policies dramatically increased application volume. With fewer test scores to differentiate students, colleges have reduced automatic or tiered merit awards tied to SAT/ACT results.This trend is widely reported and aligns with the increased competition seen in scholarship data.Notably, many colleges are now returning to requiring test scores.

4. Your student’s academic tier may not align with a school’s merit strategyMerit awards vary significantly by institution.A student with a 3.8 GPA might receive:

• $5,000 at a highly competitive school
• $20,000+ at a school where they are in the top academic tier

Source: degreecalc.com If a student applies primarily to selective schools, the merit landscape is naturally more challenging.

5. Some colleges reduced merit amounts due to financial strain. Enrollment declines and budget pressures have forced some colleges to cut back on merit aid to stabilize finances. This is consistent with the broader shift toward need-based aid and rising competition.We are all reading about colleges facing closure. Many small private institutions are struggling to stay afloat.

6. Private scholarships are abundant—but extremely competitiveThere are thousands of private merit scholarships, but application volume has surged. Scholarship databases list hundreds of active awards, yet each receives far more applicants than in past years.
Source: ScholarshipOwl


JCP Student OutcomesTo date, 100% of JCP students have been offered merit aid from colleges. While offers vary widely by institution, our students continue to receive awards.

• Lowest offer since Class of 2020: $2,542 per academic year
• Highest offer: $96,462 per academic year

What we can do next

• Target schools where your student is above the 75th percentile of admitted applicants—these institutions typically offer the strongest merit packages.
  Source: degreecalc.com
• Cast a wider net with private scholarships; even small awards stack.
• Look for departmental or program-specific scholarships, which often have better odds—especially once students are enrolled.
• Ask colleges directly whether merit funds are still available for admitted students. Some institutions release additional awards in late spring.
  This should be done every semester, if not quarterly.
• Build a relationship with financial aid. Meeting with financial aid as often as with an academic advisor is not only acceptable—it’s smart.

We are here to make sure you stay ahead of the changes. We don't just support the students; we support the family.

We craft tailored strategies aligning with each student's goals. We ensure a smooth application process for success. Here is why it matters to have help on this journey.

Why Families Benefit from Using Journey College Planning (JCP)

Most families approach college planning with two competing pressures:

1. Give the student the best opportunities
2. Avoid overwhelming financial strain or long‑term debt

JCP’s entire model is built around solving that tension. Here’s how.

Colleges publish a “sticker price,” but almost no one pays it.
What matters is the net price, which varies dramatically by:

• Family income
• Assets
• Student academic profile
• Merit aid policies
• Institutional generosity

JCP analyzes all of this so families can see:

• Which schools will be affordable
• Which schools will discount tuition
• Which schools will not give aid at all

This prevents families from applying blindly to schools that will never be financially viable.

Most families don’t realize that the biggest financial mistakes happen before applications are even submitted.

JCP helps families:

• Understand Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Predict need‑based and merit‑based aid
• Identify “financial fit” schools
• Avoid schools that gap students (don’t meet full need)
• Build a list where the student is positioned for maximum aid

This is how families avoid surprises and debt later.

A top‑ranked school is not always the best investment.

JCP helps families understand:

• Which schools offer the best ROI for the student’s major
• Which schools have strong internship pipelines
• Which schools offer merit scholarships
• Which schools are known for high job placement

This ensures the student applies to schools where they will thrive academically and financially.

Parents often assume Ivy League = highest salary.
But the data shows something different:

• Many top engineering and STEM schools (public and private) have higher starting salaries than Ivy League schools.
• The salary‑to‑tuition ratio is often better at non‑Ivies.
• The break‑even point (how long it takes to earn back the cost difference) is often shorter at non‑Ivies.

JCP helps families compare:

• Cost of attendance
• Average aid
• Average starting salary
• 10‑year earnings
• Break‑even timelines

This is how families make financially sound decisions.

The college process is overwhelming.
JCP provides:

• A clear timeline
• Application strategy
• Essay support
• Scholarship guidance
• Financial aid optimization
• FAFSA/CSS Profile support

Parents get peace of mind knowing nothing is missed.

Students often feel lost in the process.
JCP helps them:

• Identify strengths
• Build a compelling application narrative
• Choose majors aligned with interests
• Prepare for interviews
• Stand out for merit scholarships

This leads to better outcomes academically and financially.

The goal isn’t to avoid great schools.
The goal is to find the best‑fit great schools that won’t bury the family in debt.

JCP ensures:

• The student applies to top schools where they are competitive
• The family understands the financial implications
• Aid is maximized
• Debt is minimized
• Long‑term ROI is strong

This is how families achieve both dreams:
a top‑tier education and long‑term financial stability.

Bottom Line for Parents

Journey College Planning helps families:

• Make informed, financially smart decisions
• Avoid unnecessary debt
• Target top‑fit schools
• Maximize scholarships and aid
• Build a strategic, stress‑free application plan

The best college is not the most famous one — it’s the one where the student thrives academically, emotionally, and financially.
JCP ensures families find that school. Coast to coast we are here and we are making the difference for families.