The proportion of freshmen merit scholarship recipients at Pitt-Johnstown has risen from 20 percent to 44 percent this year.

The scholarships range from $1,500 to complete tuition coverage.

Requirements for the scholarship include receiving at least a 1040 on the SAT in math and critical reading and being graduated from high school with at least a 3.2 GPA.

The university benefits from giving out more scholarships. Staff have reported a 9 percent increase in tuition deposits.

The scholarship recipients may also become more self-motivated to preserve their good grades, for they are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA after receiving the scholarship money.

Drawing in more academically successful students is almost always seen as a good thing for the university. Competing campuses also want these students who have shown an ability to succeed in an academic environment.

If we are to compete successfully to enroll the best students, there needs to be a flexibility to offer financial incentives to get the students we want.

And, because they’ve shown they can be successful, they are likely to be successful at UPJ and beyond – after they graduate, enhancing UPJ’s image and the value of all of our degrees.

Some may ask whether this scholarship money should instead go to students who can demonstrate they need the money to go to college.

Some of those receiving the merit scholarships may not need the financial help and, giving it to them, leaves less funds available to help the truly needy students.