Excellence in academic studies; also, and more commonly today, a type of financial aid given to a student for use in meeting the costs of attending a college or private school. Scholarships may be awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence alone, or for other reasons, as with an athletic scholarship to an outstanding player or an award to a minority student by a college that wants a more balanced student body. The dollar amount of the scholarships may depend totally on merit, with the largest amount going to the one with the highest ranking, or on need, as indicated by a means test. Scholarships are often contingent, remaining in effect only as long as the student continues to meet a preset standard, such as a B average in college. Some may be voided in other circumstances; for example, many types of federally subsidized financial aid will be suspended or terminated if a student is convicted of possessing or distributing drugs. An open scholarship is one for which anyone may apply, while a closed scholarship is restricted to certain kinds of applicants, such as those living in a certain state. Unlike loans, scholarships are a type of grant that does not have to be repaid.