The Salary Forfeited Factor

I would think it would be looked at but it's hard to compare salaries once you start looking at people from different industries, ages, prior education levels etc. Let alone different countries.

Someone who graduates college with a degree in Electrical Engineering is typical going to command a much larger salary than someone who graduates from the same college with a degree in Biology. But what if said biology student then goes to med school - voila - the tables turn.

Along a different line, someone who graduates from the US with a college degree will almost definitely make a lot more who graduates from an Indian college with the same grades/degree. Does that make them any smarter/more qualified?

I think the only thing that can really be looked at is progression(on a percentage basis). If you started work out of college as a 'business consultant' making 50K and 5 years later are making 55K with the same title, that won't wow anyone. But if you are making 80K, you might viewed as a good employee whose company is just very simplistic with job titles. And furthermore, I think you'd be looked upon more fondly than someone who also makes 80K now but started out at 70K.

EDIT: I know you make a point to say progression vs magnitude but I dont see how they could link merit offers to salary on progression. So if someone goes from 50K to 100K, they merit a bigger scholarship?