Top 448 Merit Based Scholarships in September 2026

Are you an academically excellent 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 cost of attendance expenses that are not already covered by their financial aid and Student Aid Index (SAI). 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 students realize their full potential. If you’re a low-income student who has gone above and beyond during the course of high school, we encourage you to apply to the Gates Scholarship!Show Less

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!Show Less

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically but feels that your 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! Neither 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. If you’re an academically excellent high school senior from a low-income background, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

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!Show Less

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. One student is awarded the College JumpStart Love of Learning 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!Show Less

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.Show Less

Need help paying for college? If you’re a first-generation college student from Oregon, this one’s for you! The Beat the Odds Scholarship was established by a partnership between Stand for Children Oregon and The Renaissance Foundation to support students in Oregon who have succeeded in spite of hardships.  To be eligible for this $5,000 scholarship, applicants must reside in Oregon, be first-generation college students, and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. To apply, applicants must submit an essay and FAFSA.  If you’re on the hunt for similar scholarships, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more first-generation college student scholarships and Oregon scholarships. National scholarships are great, but you’re much more likely to win scholarships that are offered to students in your local community and state. Best of luck!Show Less

Despite the hardships that may come with being part of a minority or underrepresented group, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, many individuals in such groups find consolation in the strong community and support they give and receive from fellow members. In line with that, the Acorn Equality Fund is providing the Luke Scholarship to financially support young, academically impressive members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To qualify for the scholarship, worth up to $4,000, applicants must be LGBTQIA+ residents of Illinois, or their children, who reside in any Illinois county except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will County, and attend or plan to attend any accredited post-secondary educational institution to qualify. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must submit a ~500-word essay “describing [their] educational success stories and the obstacles [they] have had to overcome in order to be successful,” as well as an explanation of their financial need and how the scholarship would help them. An additional essay entitled "About Me" is required in which they must either detail (a) how being LGBTQIA+ (or being the child of LGBTQIA parents) has impacted them or (b) where they see themselves in 10 years, their dreams, and how they will use their "talents to improve the quality of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people." Letters of recommendation and official transcript(s) are also required. If this sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply! Then, be sure to check out these scholarships for Illinois residents and LGBTQIA+ scholarships. Happy applying!Show Less

UTI (Universal Technical Institute), founded in 1965 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, offers a variety of technical training programs for careers in automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, CNC machining, and welding. To support students interested in careers in any of these automotive fields, UTI is offering an annual scholarship to students attending one of their technical programs! Worth up to $3,000, this scholarship is awarded yearly to students who are currently or will soon be attending any Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute, or NASCAR Technical Institute campus. Applicants must also meet any of the three GPA/Standardized Test Score requirement tiers, with the lowest requiring a GPA of 3.0 or above and a minimum ACT score of 13/SAT score of 850/CLT score of 60. Ready to drive your future? If so, we encourage you to apply! Afterwards, consider checking out our many other scholarships for automotive trades students. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Maryland Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program provides scholarship/loans to Maryland residents interested in a career in specified workforce shortage areas.

Rodeo is a competitive equestrian sport that involves cowboys and cowgirls attempting to ride, rope, and handle live-stock. It has a long history, arising out of the cattle herding practices of Spain and Mexico. To honor those who carry on the legacy of the sport today, the Greeley Stampede Foundation offers an annual scholarship to competitive members of a Colorado collegiate rodeo team. To be eligible to earn the $5,000 scholarship, students must be full-time undergraduate students who either are (a) a competitive member of a Colorado collegiate rodeo team or (b) a graduate from a Weld County High School currently competing on a collegiate rodeo team. In addition, applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and have competed in at least 4 NIRA rodeos during the previous Season. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply! But don’t stop there - we encourage you to check out our other scholarships for Colorado students. Apply today and take the first step towards your future!Show Less

Have you applied to North Carolina State and are ready to join the Wolfpack? If so, you may be eligible for the Park Scholarships Program! Around 40 students are selected annually to earn this four-year scholarship, which is valued at approximately $124,000 for in-state students and $236,000 for out-of-state students. Beyond applying and being accepted to North Carolina State University, applicants must hold a minimum 3.8 GPA and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have graduated from a high school in the United States. If you’re an incoming Wolfpack member who meets the criteria, don’t miss out on this chance! We encourage you to also check out our other North Carolina scholarships. Apply today - your future awaits!Show Less

Are you a resident of Meigs County or Vinton County in Ohio? Do you also have plans to enroll in Ohio University? If so, then you may be eligible for the Dr. James H. and Nellie Rowley Jewell Award! Worth an incredible $25,000, this scholarship has the potential to make a big difference in your out-of-pocket expenses for college! To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Meigs County or Vinton County who are enrolling in Ohio University. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must apply to Ohio University (submit the Common Application) by the Early Action deadline (November 15th). Then, students who meet the eligibility requirements will be sent a supplemental scholarship application. But don’t stop there! This scholarship is just one of many Ohio scholarships that are offered through Scholarships360. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Are you an incoming freshman at Ohio University? If so, then you may be eligible for the Ann Lee Hancock Konneker Award! As an incredible full-ride scholarship, the Ann Lee Hancock Konneker Award promises to make your time at Ohio University free of cost! To be eligible, applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Olean High School in New York. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must apply to Ohio University (submit the Common Application) by the Early Action deadline (November 15th). Then, students who meet the eligibility requirements will be sent a supplemental scholarship application. If you're interested in this scholarship, you may want to explore other scholarships for New York residents that you could apply for. Don't miss out - apply today to secure financial aid for your future!Show Less

Incoming University of Ohio Bobcats - look no further! If you're an Ohio resident and looking to major in a humanities field, you've come to the right place: the Claire O. and Charles J. Ping Cutler Scholars Award may be the perfect opportunity for you. Annually, the program awards a $25,000 renewable scholarship to Ohio residents who have been admitted to humanities majors in the University of Ohio's College of Arts and Sciences or a related HTC (Honors Tutorial College) degree program. The following majors are eligible: English, history, classics and religious studies, modern languages, philosophy, linguistics, women’s, gender, & sexuality studies, and/or African American studies. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must apply to Ohio University (submit the Common Application) by the Early Action deadline (November 15th). Then, students who meet the eligibility requirements will be sent a supplemental scholarship application. The Claire O. and Charles J. Ping Cutler Scholars Award is just one of the many Ohio resident scholarships and humanities scholarships available on Scholarships360. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply and explore other scholarships you may qualify for. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Are you a current or former Idaho Future Farmers of America member? Furthermore, are you interested in pursuing a dairy-related career? If so, then you may be eligible for the Dairy West (United Dairymen of Idaho) Scholarship! This $2,000 scholarship is offered to high school seniors, college students, and graduate students enrolled in the University of Idaho, Utah State University, Oregon State University, Washington State University, Brigham Young University, or Brigham Young University-Idaho. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be pursuing a career in cattle production, dairy good science, or cattle farming. If you think you’d be a good candidate for this scholarship, we encourage you to apply! Plus, don’t forget to check out other food science scholarships. Happy applying!Show Less

Need help paying for college? If you’re an incoming freshman at Texas State University planning to major in education, the College of Education Award is just for you! This highly prestigious award is granted to students who declare a major in the College of Education. Valued at $22,000 ($5,500 per academic year), this scholarship could make a hefty dent in your tuition bill! Typically, selected recipients for this scholarship are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class and, on average, have earned a SAT/ACT score of 1200/27. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years. This is just one of the many scholarships for education majors that can be found on Scholarships360. We encourage you to apply for this scholarship and explore others that you could qualify for as well!Show Less

Ready to launch your healthcare studies at Texas State University? If you need some help paying for your education, the College of Health Professions Award could be an excellent opportunity! This prestigious scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and plan to declare a major in the College of Health Professions. This scholarship is valued at $22,000 ($5,500 per academic year), meaning it could make a huge difference in lowering your cost of attendance! To be considered for this scholarship, students must be enrolled in and maintain a qualifying major within the College of Health Professions. Applicants should also rank in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class and have SAT/ACT scores around 1200/27. If you think you’d be a good candidate for this scholarship, we encourage you to apply! Plus, don’t forget to check out other scholarships for public health students and scholarships for health administration students. Apply today and take the first step toward your future!Show Less

Are you planning to attend the College of Science and Engineering at Texas State University? If so, the University Scholars program is an excellent opportunity for you to secure financial assistance for your education! This scholarship, valued at up to $22,000 over four years, is open to students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials and declare a qualifying major in the College of Science and Engineering. Applicants must rank in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class and have average SAT/ACT scores of 1200/27. If this scholarship interests you, then we encourage you to explore other engineering scholarships that you could qualify for. Apply today and take the first step towards securing some cash for college!Show Less

How would you like to win up to $32,000 to put toward your college education? Through the Ingram Engineering Scholarship, you can! This incredible scholarship is offered to students with outstanding academic credentials who declare a major in civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering at Texas State University. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors planning on majoring in any type of engineering at Texas State University. Applicants must rank in the top 15 percent of their graduating class and have a minimum SAT/ACT score of 1260/27 with a minimum math sub score of 610/26. Priority will be given to candidates with demonstrated financial need. If you’re on the hunt for similar scholarships, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more engineering scholarships. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo was a Native Hawaiian philanthropist and entrepreneur who had deep care for his community. After spending 30 years as a civil servant, he went on to found Na Aliʻi Consulting & Sales, aspiring to help his fellow Native Hawaiians overcome the struggles they faced in their educational and career pursuits. To continue his legacy of kindness and generosity, the Pauahi Foundation established a scholarship in his honor. To qualify for the Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship, applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii. They must also have a minimum 3.5 GPA, be pursuing a STEM degree, and attend a college or university in the continental United States. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must submit one (1) letter of recommendation and two (2) essays. The Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship is one of many scholarships for Hawaiian residents and STEM scholarships on Scholarships360. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply and explore other scholarships you may qualify for. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

The Ingram Engineering Scholarship is offered to students with outstanding academic credentials who plan to study an engineering technology-related field at Texas State University. To be eligible for this $8,000 scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors planning on majoring in any type of technology at Texas State University. Eligible fields include engineering technology, construction and science management, construction ET, electrical ET, environmental ET, manufacturing ET, industrial technology, and industrial technology-manufacturing technology. Applicants must rank in the top 15 percent of their graduating class and have a minimum SAT/ACT score of 1260/27 with a minimum math sub score of 610/26. Priority will be given to candidates with demonstrated financial need. Once you’re done applying, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more engineering scholarships. There are so many other scholarship opportunities out there waiting. Take the initiative and start applying today!Show Less

Are you passionate about pursuing a course of study related to business? If so, the McCoy Scholar of Distinction Award should be on your radar! This $6,000 scholarship is offered each year to support incoming Texas State freshmen who declare a major in business. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors planning to major in business at Texas State University. Selections are made based on academic achievement. Applicants must either be in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, be valedictorian or salutatorian, or be a National Merit finalist or semifinalist. The scholarship may be renewed for an additional three years upon the maintenance of a 3.3 minimum GPA and by remaining a business major. If you’re on the hunt for similar scholarships, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more business scholarships. Apply today and turn your hard work and passion into financial aid for your future!Show Less

Ready to secure some cash for college? If you’re an incoming Texas State freshman planning to study a business field, the TSU Rodeo Austin Scholarship is just for you! This $16,000 scholarship is offered to high school seniors planning on majoring in any business field at Texas State University. Applicants must have financial need, be graduating from a high school located in Texas, and have a record of leadership experience within their school or community. Additionally, applicants must be in the top 15 percent of their graduating class and have a minimum SAT/ACT score of 1060/21. If you’re on the hunt for similar scholarships, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more Texas scholarships and business scholarships. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Food growers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, and grocery retailers work a very necessary but often underappreciated job - producing and dispensing the food we eat every day. Thus, Food Shippers of America offers an annual scholarship to the children or dependents of an employee in a food company that has at least one member whose Food Shippers of America membership dues are current. To be eligible for the scholarship, individuals must have a parent or guardian who works at a food company with at least one employee paying Food Shippers of America membership dues. Applicants must also have earned a minimum 3.25 GPA in their last two years of high school and be current college students with any major. However, preference will be given to those majoring in Business, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management. By applying to this scholarship, students can earn anywhere between $1,000 and $7,500, depending on their application. Sounds like a good opportunity? If so, consider applying! While you're still here, don't forget to also check out our other business scholarships and food science and nutrition scholarships. Good luck with your scholarship search!Show Less

Are you an incoming freshman at the College of Applied Arts at Texas State University? If so, you could be eligible for the University Scholars Award! This award is presented to students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials and declare a major in the College of Applied Arts. This highly competitive award is valued at $22,000 ($5,500 per academic year), meaning it could make a significant impact on your out-of-pocket college expenses! To be considered for this scholarship, students must be enrolled in and maintain a qualifying major within the College of Applied Arts. Applicants should also rank in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class and have SAT/ACT scores of around 1260/27. If you think you’d be a good candidate for this scholarship, we encourage you to apply! Plus, don’t forget to check out other scholarships for art students. Apply today and take the first step toward your future!Show Less