<p>Are we confusing merit that is designed for all kids who meet some qualification- eg, top 1% of the freshman class- with merit that is merely meant to get desirable kids to matriculate? My friend’s kid got a “merit” scholarship at a school where he was by no means among the top performers admitted. But, he offered geographic diversity and a particular major they wanted more kids for. Neither factor was “earned.” They were enticing him and it worked. I’d call that “discretionary.”</p>