Normally I wouldn't post this as an achievement, but the way I got this merit was odd enough that I figured I'd share.
Last week, I decided I wanted to try and get this merit. I figured it would take a couple months of maxing the loan and making the payments, which isn't too expensive.
Important info:
This was my first loan with Duke (as far as I remember, it'd have to have been a tiny loan years ago if I'd ever had one).
My starting max loan amount was 2m (due to TV company special I think).
I took out the 2m loan and paid the first week's fees immediately. The next day, I checked in and Duke said I could now have a loan of 2.25m. I took out the additional 250k and paid the fees again. Today, about one week later, I got the merit. That was it.
I've heard of it taking people a while, so I have no idea what made the difference for me (maybe TV special helped?) But for those without this merit, do not fear, there is hope, maybe Duke will give you a merit for a total of 150k in fees?