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Every collegehas two prices.

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Find the real price
Sample MeritPlaybook showing a school recommendation and its reasoning, a prioritized to-do list, and ranked scholarships with annual award amounts.

A look inside your playbook.

School recommendations, scholarships, and a clear to-do list. Sample estimates, not aid offers.

Explore the full sample

Quick game.
Guess the real bill.

University of MississippiSample student · Mississippi resident, 3.92 GPA, 33 ACT. No need-based aid assumed.

The one they postPosted price, minus published awards

$31,154 published yearly cost

  • Academic Merit Scholarship−$10,278
  • 1848 Award−$4,000

$25,000

From a sample playbook prepared June 2026, using 2025-2026 published costs. Estimates, not aid offers.

  1. University of Mississippiabout $17,000 per yearStart here
  2. Mississippi State Universityabout $24,000 per yearWorth comparing
  3. University of Alabamaabout $32,000 per yearThe brand premium
  4. University of Southern Californiaabout $103,000 per yearNot a money fit

Sample playbook prepared June 2026, using 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 published costs. Estimates, not aid offers.See the whole sample

The fine print
moves the bill.

  • Score caps

    The resident Academic Merit award caps at the 33 ACT line, so a higher score buys nothing more.

    In the sample: University of Mississippi

  • Hard deadlines

    Scores from the February test date of senior year are the last Mississippi State accepts for the scholarship grid.

    In the sample: Mississippi State University

  • Renewal cliffs

    Miss a GPA or credit rule and a four-year award can shrink or stop.

    Watch for it on every list

  • Out-of-state premiums

    The application and official score must arrive by Alabama’s scholarship deadline, and the family pays the out-of-state premium all four years.

    In the sample: University of Alabama

  • Outside scholarships

    At some schools, a private award can reduce the aid the school gives.

    Watch for it on every list

  • Competitive, not automatic

    USC’s large scholarships are competitive and should not be counted before an offer arrives.

    In the sample: University of Southern California

  1. You send the list.

    GPA, scores or test-optional, home state, and up to 10 colleges.

  2. We read the fine print.

    Award amounts, deadlines, renewal rules, and what cancels what.

  3. You get the plan.

    Ranked by what each school could really cost. In under 10 minutes.

Rather watch it?

Illustrative scene of a mother and daughter reading printed aid letters together at a kitchen table

From the
kitchen table.

“We kept one school on the list we were about to drop.”
Melissa
Read the full note

We were trying to figure out merit aid for our senior and every school site said something different. I used MeritPlaybook on 2 schools we were actually considering and it told me what to ask and what the renewal GPA looked like, which I was not going to find on my own. We kept one school on the list we were about to drop. Not magic, just saved me a bunch of guessing.

“MeritPlaybook provided a great summary of costs, deadlines, and selection risks for 9 universities”
Chad H.
Read the full note

MeritPlaybook provided a great summary of costs, deadlines, and selection risks for 9 universities without us having to research each school's website. Our Playbook also suggested scholarships to look into.

“This playbook made the process much more manageable and gave us confidence that we weren't overlooking great opportunities.”
Aaron
Read the full note

As the parent of a student interested in engineering, we thought we had a solid list of colleges. The Merit Playbook completely changed our perspective.

Not only did it confirm some of the schools we were already considering, but it also introduced us to several universities that had never been on our radar, schools offering outstanding engineering programs along with substantial merit scholarships based on our student's academic profile. Those discoveries significantly expanded our options and could make a huge difference in the overall cost of college.

What I appreciate most is that the playbook is practical and easy to use. Instead of spending hours digging through individual college websites trying to figure out scholarship requirements and deadlines, we had a reliable resource that helped us quickly identify schools worth a closer look.

College costs can be overwhelming, and merit aid opportunities are often difficult to compare. This playbook made the process much more manageable and gave us confidence that we weren't overlooking great opportunities. If you're a parent trying to maximize merit scholarships while building a strong college list, I highly recommend this resource.

One student.
Up to 10 colleges.
One price.

$79once

  • Schools ranked by estimated real cost
  • Merit aid and the rules attached
  • What to do first, with school-source links
  • Two free re-runs within 12 months when scores, schools, or finances change
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30-day money-back guarantee. Not happy for any reason? Request a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked. Read the policy.

Questions,
answered.

What information do I need?

Your student's GPA, test scores or test-optional status, home state, and a list of up to 10 colleges. We do not ask for tax forms or a Social Security number.

Can I check the research?

Yes. Every important number, deadline, and rule includes a link to the college's own website.

Is this only about scholarships?

No. The playbook also compares estimated yearly costs, important deadlines, renewal rules, and whether one award may reduce another.

What if my student's scores change?

Buy now and refresh later. New test score, new target school, or changed finances? Tell us and we rebuild the whole playbook at no charge, up to two times within 12 months of purchase.