How do undergraduate merit scholarships differ between Tulane and Yale?

Tulane and Yale use fundamentally different models: Tulane awards competitive undergraduate merit scholarships, while Yale does not award merit scholarships and bases its institutional aid on demonstrated financial need. At Yale, academic achievement can strengthen admission, but it does not produce a separate merit award. Tulane’s merit awards can substantially reduce cost regardless of a family’s financial need.

Tulane offers several named merit programs, including awards such as the Dean’s Honor Scholarship and Paul Tulane Award, along with other school- or program-specific scholarships. These are competitive, often require particular application materials or deadlines, and may range from partial tuition assistance to full tuition.

Yale’s financial aid is designed to meet demonstrated need rather than reward grades, test scores, leadership, or talents with a scholarship label. Its recent aid policies also provide especially strong support for lower- and middle-income families, though the actual package depends on assets and individual circumstances.