Merit-based scholarships awarded directly by a university are primarily designed to:

The correct answer to the question "Merit-based scholarships awarded directly by a university are primarily designed to:" is Option B: Attract and enroll high-achieving students regardless of financial need..

The other options — A) Replace a student's federal Pell Grant eligibility., C) Only cover the cost of tuition, excluding fees or living expenses., D) Directly reduce the student's federal student loan debt. — are incorrect for this College Advising question. As explained above: Merit-based scholarships are awarded by institutions based on academic achievement, talent, or other specific criteria to recruit and enroll students who meet particular institutional goals, often ir…