Which option best describes a merit-based student funding option?

• A. Grant
• B. Tuition fees
• C. Scholarship
• D. BAföG

Answer: (C)

Merit-based funding rewards achievement rather than financial need. A scholarship is awarded for merit—high grades, outstanding talents, or competitive selection criteria—and often requires maintaining certain standards to keep it. Grants are typically tied to need or specific eligibility rules beyond grades, so they’re not inherently merit-based. Tuition fees describe costs to be paid, not funding received, and BAföG is a German government aid program that considers income and family resources, usually based on need rather than merit. Because scholarships are the classic form of funding awarded for demonstrated achievement, they best describe merit-based student funding.