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Scholarship Review Process

The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

  • The scholarship requires a fee to apply
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  • The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
  • Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
  • The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
  • The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
  • The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
  • There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
  • The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
  • There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!


* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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Top 16 College Merit Based Scholarships

Written by Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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and Kayla Korzekwinski

Kayla Korzekwinski is a Scholarships360 content writer. She earned her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied Advertising/PR, Rhetorical Communication, and Anthropology. Kayla has worked on communications for non-profits and student organizations. She loves to write and come up with new ways to express ideas.

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Updated: November 30th, 2023

Merit scholarships are one of the best ways to help students pay for college. Whether you excel in grades, test scores, or extracurriculars, there are merit scholarships out there for you. Check out our list of top private merit scholarships below, as well as our lists of college-specific merit scholarships and our guide on how to win these scholarships. And if you came here looking for the National Merit Scholarship, you can skip straight down to the bottom of the page for information on that!

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16 scholarships
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Equitable Excellence Scholarship
Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Offered by Equitable Foundation

100 awards worth $5,000
Deadline Dec 18, 2023

Are you a college-bound high school senior who displays strength and courage in approaching challenges, and enjoys sharing wisdom with others? If so, consider applying…

Are you a college-bound high school senior who displays strength and courage in approaching challenges, and enjoys sharing wisdom with others? If so, consider applying…

Are you a college-bound high school senior who displays strength and courage in approaching challenges, and enjoys sharing wisdom with others? If so, consider applying for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers 100 students $5,000 scholarships that can be renewed for up to four years (for a total of $20,000 per recipient)! The scholarships are provided by the Equitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people “pursue what’s possible” through their grants, partnerships, and volunteerism. If you display courage in handling challenges, enjoy helping others, and are looking for some help to pay off college, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Next steps

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GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Offered by Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute

Multiple awards worth up to $10,000
Deadline Jan 4, 2024

Are you a college-bound high school senior displaying exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship? Further, do you anticipate that you’ll need financial assistance to attend…

Are you a college-bound high school senior displaying exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship? Further, do you anticipate that you’ll need financial assistance to attend…

Are you a college-bound high school senior displaying exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship? Further, do you anticipate that you’ll need financial assistance to attend college? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program! Each year, the program awards multiple $10,000 scholarships that can be renewed for up to three more years (for a total of $40,000 per recipient)! These can be used to pay for winning applicants’ tuition costs, books, supplies, room and board, and more. The scholarship is offered by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, an organization created to honor the legacy of the 40th president of the United States.  If you’re a high school senior with drive, integrity, and financial need, we encourage you to apply for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Next steps

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Barry Goldwater Scholarship 
Barry Goldwater Scholarship 

Offered by The Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation

Multiple awards worth up to $7,500
Deadline Jan 26, 2024

Are you a current college student interested in pursuing a research career in a STEM field? If so, consider applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship!…

Are you a current college student interested in pursuing a research career in a STEM field? If so, consider applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship!…

Are you a current college student interested in pursuing a research career in a STEM field? If so, consider applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship! The scholarship is open to nominated applicants who are college sophomores or juniors studying and conducting research in a STEM field. The Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation offers scholarships to STEM students across the country to help ensure that the U.S. is producing enough "highly-qualified professionals" in these critical fields. This particular scholarship serves as a memorial for Barry Goldwater, a former air force officer and senator for 30 years. Recipients of the scholarship receive up to $7,500 to help pay for tuition, fees, books, and room and board. If you are a STEM major passionate about a future research career, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that this scholarship runs from the first Tuesday in September to the last Friday in January, every year.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Sophomores & Juniors

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Academic Interest: Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Science/Engineering, Marine/Ocean Engineering, Biology, Entomology, Math, Natural Sciences, Physical Sciences, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science, Materials Science, Psychology, Medicine, Cybersecurity, Chemistry

Next steps

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Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship
Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship

Offered by Davidson Institute

Multiple awards worth up to $50,000
Deadline Feb 14, 2024

Are you a K-12 student who has created a significant piece of work in the field of STEM, literature, music, or philosophy? The Davidson Institute…

Are you a K-12 student who has created a significant piece of work in the field of STEM, literature, music, or philosophy? The Davidson Institute…

Are you a K-12 student who has created a significant piece of work in the field of STEM, literature, music, or philosophy? The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship may be a good fit for you! The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship is a life-changing $50,000 scholarship opportunity for any student in the United States who is under 18. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of significant work. This means any work or accomplishment that experts in the field recognize as meaningful and has the potential to make a positive contribution to society. This typically comes in the form of a project completed by the student(s). That’s right, student(s)! You can apply to the Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship in a group of two! There are also multiple scholarship categories you can choose to apply within, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside of the Box. 

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Academic Interest: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Food Science/Nutrition, Horticulture/Floriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Paper and Pulp Engineering, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Science/Engineering, Marine/Ocean Engineering, Construction Engineering/Management, Surveying, Drafting, Biology, Entomology, Oncology, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Math, Statistics, Science, Technology, and Society, Behavioral Science, Natural Sciences, Archaeology, Sports/Exercise Science, Physical Sciences, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Oceanography, Materials Science, Psychology, Fire Science/Firefighting, HVAC Mechanics, Aviation/Aerospace, Transportation, Radiology, Environmental Health, Animal/Veterinary Sciences, Insurance/Actuarial Science, Cybersecurity, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature/English/Writing, Philosophy, Visual & Performing Arts, Music

Next steps

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$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Offered by Scholarships360

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2024

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship
Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Offered by Niche

1 award worth $50,000
Deadline Dec 14, 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.…

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.…

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship
$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Offered by Sallie Mae

1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Dec 31, 2023

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Next steps

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$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Offered by Bold.org

1 award worth $25,000
Expected deadline December 2024

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship
United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship

Offered by United States Senate Youth Program

Multiple awards worth $10,000
Deadline Varies

Are you a rising high school junior or senior who holds a leadership role within your school's government or honors society? If so, consider applying…

Are you a rising high school junior or senior who holds a leadership role within your school's government or honors society? If so, consider applying…

Are you a rising high school junior or senior who holds a leadership role within your school's government or honors society? If so, consider applying for the United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship! Each year, the program offers multiple scholarships worth up to $10,000. In addition to the monetary award, winners receive the opportunity to participate in Washington Week. This is a mandatory week-long stay in Washington, D.C. in which you will be able to partake and witness meetings with the Senate leaders, Supreme Court justices, many other important officials, and even the U.S. President! In order to apply, you must contact either your high school principal, counselor, history teacher, or state selection contact to receive an application. This is an amazing opportunity, especially if you’re interested in pursuing a career in government and/or politics. With that said, if you’re interested, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Juniors & Seniors

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: 3.7

Next steps

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Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Offered by Elks National Foundation

500 awards worth $1,000 - $7,500
Expected deadline November 2024

Are you a U.S. citizen and high school senior (or the equivalent) planning on enrolling full-time in a postsecondary institution in the U.S.? If so,…

Are you a U.S. citizen and high school senior (or the equivalent) planning on enrolling full-time in a postsecondary institution in the U.S.? If so,…

Are you a U.S. citizen and high school senior (or the equivalent) planning on enrolling full-time in a postsecondary institution in the U.S.? If so, consider applying for the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards 500 (yes, 500!) four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants. The scholarships range from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year - totaling between $4,000 and $30,000 in aid over the course of one’s undergraduate career.  If you’re a U.S. citizen currently in your last year of high school with plans to attend a U.S. post-secondary institution full-time, we encourage you to apply for the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: Yes

Next steps

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College JumpStart Scholarship
College JumpStart Scholarship

Offered by College JumpStart

Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
Expected deadline October 2024

Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades…

Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades…

Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades 10 to 12, as well as traditional college-age and adult learners. The scholarship is biannual, with deadlines on April 15th and October 17th each year. Two lucky students are awarded the College JumpStart Scholarship each application cycle. The scholarship is funded by corporate donations to the College JumpStart, an organization whose motto is “Hard work. Perseverance. Love of learning. These are the traits that the College JumpStart Scholarship rewards.” This scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit only–no financial need or any other factors are considered. If you’re passionate about using education to better your life and that of your family and/or community, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: HS Sophmores, Juniors, Seniors & College Students

Next steps

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Coca Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Coca Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

Offered by Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

150 awards worth $20,000
Expected deadline October 2024

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a passion for helping others? If so, consider applying for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship! Each year,…

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a passion for helping others? If so, consider applying for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship! Each year,…

Are you a college-bound high school senior with a passion for helping others? If so, consider applying for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $20,000 to 150 lucky graduating high school seniors who plan on enrolling in a U.S. postsecondary institution for the upcoming school year. The scholarship is offered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, an organization that serves to invest in promising high school seniors who are dedicated to service and leadership. If this sounds like you and you need some help paying off college costs, we encourage you to apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Next steps

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Questbridge National College Match Scholarship
Questbridge National College Match Scholarship

Offered by Questbridge

Multiple awards worth Full Ride
Expected deadline September 2024

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that their dream colleges are financially out of reach? If so, we…

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that their dream colleges are financially out of reach? If so, we…

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that their dream colleges are financially out of reach? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Questbridge National College Match Scholarship! Through this scholarship application process, you will be able to apply to the U.S.’s top colleges for free and be considered for early admission, as well as a full, four-year scholarship. If you win and are “matched” with a school, the scholarship will cover the costs of your tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and even travel costs! You nor your parents will be required to pay for college or take out any student loans. Rather, you will be expected to keep up the good work and potentially make a small contribution in the form of federal work-study, summer work, or summer savings. The scholarship process is hosted by Questbridge, “a powerful platform that connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities.” If you’re an academically excellent high school senior from a low-income background, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Other Category: Low Income

Next steps

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The Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship

Offered by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Multiple awards worth Full Ride
Expected deadline September 2024

Are you an academically excellent, minority, high school senior from a low-income household? If so, we may have a perfect opportunity for you: the Gates…

Are you an academically excellent, minority, high school senior from a low-income household? If so, we may have a perfect opportunity for you: the Gates…

Are you an academically excellent, minority, high school senior from a low-income household? If so, we may have a perfect opportunity for you: the Gates Scholarship! The scholarship is extremely prestigious and generous, offering a full ride to students by covering any of their college costs that are not already covered by financial aid and one’s expected family contribution (EFC). Applicants should ideally have an outstanding academic record, demonstrate leadership ability, and have impressive personal success skills. The scholarship is offered by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is committed to helping low-income, minority students realize their full potential.  If you’re a low-income, minority student who has gone above and beyond during the course of high school, we encourage you to apply to the Gates Scholarship!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: 3.3

Race/Ethnicity: Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, Native American

Other Category: Low Income

Next steps

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Cameron Impact Scholarship
Cameron Impact Scholarship

Offered by Bryan Cameron Education Foundation

10 awards worth Full Ride
Expected deadline September 2024

Are you an academically excellent high school senior with demonstrated leadership, community service, and other extracurricular experiences? If so, consider applying for the Cameron Impact…

Are you an academically excellent high school senior with demonstrated leadership, community service, and other extracurricular experiences? If so, consider applying for the Cameron Impact…

Are you an academically excellent high school senior with demonstrated leadership, community service, and other extracurricular experiences? If so, consider applying for the Cameron Impact Scholarship! Each year, 10-15 full, four-year college scholarships are awarded to winning applicants who are passionate about helping their local communities and the world at large. In addition to the monetary reward, winners will be required to attend the Cameron Impact Scholars Award Ceremony for the four-year duration of the scholarship. The scholarship is provided by the Bryce Cameron Education Foundation, a “private family foundation established in 2015 on the principle of making a difference by investing in young people’s education.” If you’re a high school student with amazing achievements both inside and outside the classroom, we encourage you to apply to the Cameron Impact Scholarship!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Senior

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: 3.7

Next steps

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Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

Offered by Tylenol

35 awards worth $5,000 - $10,000
Expected deadline August 2024

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is funded by Tylenol, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing its customers with care. Each year, their Tylenol Future Care…

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is funded by Tylenol, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing its customers with care. Each year, their Tylenol Future Care…

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is funded by Tylenol, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing its customers with care. Each year, their Tylenol Future Care Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to thirty-five (35) incoming and current students enrolled in medical, pharmacy, or nursing school. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Seniors & Graduate Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: Yes

Academic Interest: Healthcare, Pharmacy, Nursing

Next steps

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Merit scholarships are one of the best ways to help students pay for college. Whether you excel in grades, test scores, or extracurriculars, there are merit scholarships out there for you. Check out our list of top private merit scholarships below, as well as our lists of college-specific merit scholarships and our guide on how to win these scholarships. And if you came here looking for the National Merit Scholarship, you can skip straight down to the bottom of the page for information on that!

Merit scholarships at public colleges & universities

University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)

  • Alabama offers a wide range of merit programs available to students both in-state and out

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

  • ASU offers a number of generous need- and merit-based scholarship programs for students

Auburn University (Auburn, AL)

  • Offers the National Scholars Presidential Scholarship to National Merit Finalists and National Achievement Finalists
  • This program awards full-tuition scholarships to students both in-state and out-of-state, along with several other perks (including a $1,000 technology stipend)

University of California- Berkeley

  • UC-Berkeley offers scholarships based on both need and merit

University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, Colorado)

  • UC-Boulder offers a variety of merit- and need-based scholarship programs to both in-state and out-of-state students

Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)

  • Several merit programs are offered, the largest and most prestigious of which is the President’s Scholarship
  • The President’s Scholarship is offered to 50 of the top high school senior applicants

University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

  • The University of Michigan offers mostly need-based, but several merit scholarships as well

University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill

  • Several full-tuition merit scholarships available to students both in-state and out-of-state

University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

  • For UVA’s Jefferson Scholars program, in-state scholars receive $26,000 each year, and out-of-state or international Jefferson Scholars will receive an annual stipend of over $53,000
  • This program creates a network of current scholars and alumni, along with providing a variety of structured enrichment opportunities to scholars

College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

  • Merit programs include the 1693 Scholars Program and the Monroe Scholars Program ($3,000 research stipend, special housing option)

Merit scholarships at private national universities

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)

  • Offers a full-tuition academic merit scholarship (the Presidential Scholars Program) to 15 students
  • No separate application is required to be considered for the scholarship, although students must apply through the Early Action application process

Boston University (Boston, MA)

  • BU has generous scholarship opportunities including both need-based and merit-based scholarships

Brandeis College (Waltham, MA)

  • Six separate programs available, five of which are for incoming freshmen (with one for rising juniors)

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)

  • Carnegie Mellon University offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students on the basis of both merit and financial need

Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)

  • Case Western Reserve University has several scholarships that students are automatically considered for, as well as scholarships by additional application

Duke University (Durham, NC)

  • Duke offers 9 merit programs which include full-tuition scholarships

Elon University (Elon, NC)

  • Elon offers merit- and need-based programs to students

Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)

  • Check out the Georgetown Incentive Scholarships for need-based aid with a merit component

Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)

  • A number of merit scholarship programs are offered, including several specific to the arts (look under “Academic Merit Awards/Scholarships”)

New York University (New York, NY)

  • NYU offers a mix of merit and need-based programs for students

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)

  • The Rensselaer Medal Scholarship is a 4-year, minimum $15,000 per year merit scholarship

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

  • SMU offers merit scholarships up to full tuition & room/board!
  • Other scholarships also include awards for students in specific majors (such as Engineering, the arts, and STEM)

University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)

  • UChicago offers merit scholarships and scholarships specifically meant for first-generation college students

University of Miami (Miami, Florida)

  • A number of full-tuition merit scholarships are offered, including the Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship and the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship

University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

  • The University of Rochester offers a wide variety of merit scholarships for all different types of students

University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

  • USC offers a number of full-tuition, half-tuition, and quarter-tuition merit scholarships

Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)

  • All students are considered for partial tuition scholarships by simply submitting their application
  • There are 130 full tuition scholarships awarded that require a separate scholarship application (that is due on December 5th)

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

  • Full-tuition awards plus summer stipends for study abroad, research or service projects will be awarded to 250 students; other, smaller merit programs are also available

Villanova University

  • Villanova University awards a number of scholarships based on students’ academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Awards range from $500 all the way to the prestigious Presidential Scholarship, which covers full tuition, room, board, general fees, and textbooks for eight semesters

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)

  • WFU has a wide variety of merit programs available to incoming students, including general merit scholarships (such as the Reynolds Scholarships) and scholarships recognizing achievement in art, dance, debate, music, and theater (Presidential Scholarships for Distinguished Achievement)

Washington University in St. Louis 

  • Washington Universities’ Danforth, Ervin, and Rodriguez Scholar Programs are all merit-based scholarship programs ranging up to the full cost of tuition

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)

  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers merit scholarships to students ranging from $10,000 per year to $25,000 per year

Also see: How to get scholarships as an out-of-state student

Merit scholarships at small liberal arts colleges

Denison University (Granville, OH)

  • Denison offers over 1000 scholarships to first year students
  • Scholarships range from $2,000 to $46,000

Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)

  • Merit scholarships range from $15,000 per year to the full cost of tuition
  • Kenyon awards merit aid to about the top 15% of admitted students
  • Scholarships for students talented in art, creative writing, and music are also available

Macalester College (St. Paul, MN)

  • Merit scholarships awarded to approximately 50% of U.S. first-year students
  • Macalester (unlike many top schools) also offers merit scholarships to International Students
  • Merit awards range from $2,000 to $64,000 over four years

Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)

  • Grinnell offers several merit scholarship programs which range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year

Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH)

  • Oberlin offers merit scholarships based on academics and also “contributions to the student’s school and home community.”

What is the National Merit scholarship?

Every year, high school juniors with the highest PSAT/NMSQT scores in the nation receive National Merit Scholarships. There are about 7,500 recipients each year and they receive $2,500 each.

This is a great scholarship to receive, and it’s one more reason to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT and other standardized tests. We recommend consulting the College Board’s free study materials to achieve a high score on this test!

Although this is one of the most widely-known merit scholarships, it is far from the only one. In fact, there are many merit scholarships out there with much higher award amounts than this one. Be sure to peruse the rest of our list to find other merit scholarship opportunities.

Also see: How to win a National Merit Scholarship

How to find merit scholarships at your college

Whether you are applying for admission or returning for your second, third, or fourth year, be sure to check your college for merit scholarship opportunities. 

Incoming students

Many colleges list merit scholarship opportunities for incoming students on their admissions or financial aid sites. For reference, Kenyon College lists all of their merit scholarships for incoming freshmen on their financial aid page

Current students

If you’re a current student looking for merit scholarships, try talking to your academic advisor and/or the head of your academic department. Many departments have scholarship awards for current students which they award every semester or year. Some require applications while others may consider students automatically.

Be sure to check in with your financial aid office as well! They may offer their own scholarships or be able to point you in the right direction.

How to win merit scholarships

Here are some tips to help you win merit scholarships:

Turn your achievements into aspirations

When you apply for merit scholarships, you will be competing against many other applicants with high grades and test scores. So, how do you stand out from the crowd?

The best way to make your application stand out is to use your essays to take the next step from everything you’ve accomplished. Don’t just discuss how hard you worked for your grades; discuss what you learned from your courses and how they helped you focus your goals for the future. Then talk about how your life experiences have given you the tools to achieve your goals. Finding ways to help connect your past to your future is the best way to make your application memorable.

Look for organizations you identify with

As you apply to merit scholarships, try to find ones offered by organizations that you have a connection with. For example, you could apply for scholarships from a brand whose product you use, or a community organization for your neighborhood.

Organizations are looking to grant scholarships to students who align with their mission. Your essays and applications will be more compelling if you can demonstrate that you will represent the organization well once you receive your education.

Choose the right colleges 

One of the biggest mistakes students make when building their college list is not paying enough attention to merit scholarships. As a rule of thumb, you want to identify colleges where your admissions “stats” align with the percentage of students winning merit scholarships. So, if a college offers merit scholarships to 25% of applicants, you should be in the top 25% of applicants as far as test scores and GPA.

Further reading: How to choose a college

Research the specific scholarships

College merit scholarships can vary from college to college. At some schools, all admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships.

At other colleges, students will need to complete an essay, separate application, or interview as part of the scholarship application process. Some colleges will even offer merit scholarships for students who have a specific talent in art, music, theater, or another area

Cast a wide(ish) net

If you are serious about winning a merit scholarship at a specific college, you will need to cast a wide net. While being towards the top of the applicant pool will generally make you a strong candidate for merit scholarships, there are no guarantees.

This is why we recommend that you apply to 10 colleges where you will be seriously competitive for merit scholarships. This will increase your odds of having a few merit scholarship offers to choose from.

Mind your deadlines

Some colleges will ask students to apply by a specific deadline to be eligible for merit scholarships. Make sure that you are applying by the necessary deadlines (remember, this deadline may be different than the admissions deadline).

Don’t forget to apply for need-based financial aid too

Remember, you can apply for both merit scholarships and need-based financial aid! Make sure that you submit your FAFSA and any other required financial aid documents such as the CSS Profile by the necessary deadline.

This will ensure that you are being considered for all potential scholarships–merit and need-based–at the colleges on your list.

Seek out local scholarships

Local scholarships are oftentimes your most promising option when it comes to merit scholarships. Because the applicant pool is typically smaller, each entry has a better chance to win. Make sure that you look into local organizations as a major part of your scholarship search.

Oftentimes, your high school guidance counselor will have some resources for finding local scholarships. You can also try looking at organizations such as your local chapter of the Scouts or asking any community leader. Religious institutions, community centers, and 4-H clubs may be able to help.

Try our scholarship search tool

To make sure that you are considering all the available possibilities, try out our free scholarship search tool to get custom-matched, vetted scholarships brought to you daily. These include merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, and combinations of the two.

Additional scholarship opportunities

Frequently asked questions about merit scholarships

What is a good GPA for a merit based scholarship?

There are many different types of merit based scholarships out there, and some require higher GPAs than others. Some even consider test scores, extracurriculars, or essays more heavily than GPA. The best strategy when sending out applications is to play to your strengths. If your GPA is 4.0 or close to it, it’s a good idea to seek out ones that emphasize GPA. If your strengths lie in other fields, try applying to scholarships that value your successes.

Do merit scholarships take into account financial need?

Pure merit scholarships don’t take financial need into account, but many consider a combination of the two. Typically, students with significant financial need and a strong academic/extracurricular profile will be best equipped to earn scholarships. However, many of the opportunities on this list do not take need into account at all.

Do I need to renew merit scholarships?

Some of the merit scholarships on this list are one-time awards, meaning that you will only receive one lump sum. Others automatically renew each year, so long as the recipient continues to meet the scholarship requirements. Some may also require students to apply for renewal. Once you receive a merit scholarship, be sure to look into the renewal terms to ensure that you meet any requirements.
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