Merit scholarships are a type of gift aid that help pay for college by rewarding talent. Most merit based scholarships go to students who stand out with strong academics.
Recipients of a merit scholarship may be high academic achievers or have strong athletic, artistic or other skills and values. Eligible students must also show a desire to serve the community or leadership skills.
Some merit scholarships also may look at financial need. But most of the time accomplishments and academic excellence are the primary factors to win a merit scholarship.
How Do You Get a Merit Scholarship?
Merit awards are different from needs based scholarships. A need-based scholarship uses family income to make decisions. Instead, the merit scholarship sponsors usually start out with a goal or reason why they offer it. This might be to develop their industry with smart minds or invest in the future of their community and college.
There are various criteria to qualify for a merit scholarship. Sometimes you need to be a member of a specific association or enrolled in the university. Other scholarship providers may specifically offer it to minority students, female students or for certain majors like STEM.
Either way, you’ll need to see if you qualify. One example is the Women Techmakers Scholarship. It is an academic merit scholarship. In order to be eligible, eligible students must show strong academic performance, leadership, and impact on the community of women in tech. You may fit the bill as an upstanding male student, but this one is for girls.
What is Merit?
That stated, what ‘merit’ means generally depends on the organization granting the scholarship. Some merit scholarships look at academic performance, test scores, and your recommendations. Others may only look at your SAT/ACT test scores.
Still others focus on your dedication to and performance in a specific field of study. This can be anything from music to math and others.
Many private companies, groups and nonprofits fund merit scholarships. There are no federal funds for merit-based scholarships.
Some merit scholarship providers are from local communities such as churches and cultural groups. Companies such as Google, Gates Foundation or Coca Cola also offer merit scholarships.
Most colleges also award merit scholarships. Often alumni endow funds to use for these awards. Merit based awards may thus carry the name of a person so that their legacy continues. You’ll also find charitable foundations offering merit aid which sometimes look at financial need.
What GPA do You Need to Get a Merit Scholarship?
An academic merit scholarship often requires a strong GPA. But the actual grade point average you need to get a merit scholarship varies.
For instance, you need a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to qualify for the SHRM Foundation’s Graduate Scholarships. This awards $5,000 to a graduate student pursuing an HR degree related program.
The Voice of Democracy Scholarship awards $30,000 to one national first place winner. Most high school students as well as military students may apply.
How Much is a Merit Scholarship?
The U.S. Department of Education tracks the aid schools award to undergraduates. According to the NCES study, they looked at the amount of money high-merit students received. It found that those in selective schools got about 58% of their tuition. Those in less selective schools received about 46% of their tuition amounts.
What Qualifies You to be a National Merit Scholar?
National Merit Scholars have the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores. About 1.6 million enter to compete. But about 50,000 qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program.
Each September, the sponsor colleges notify the recipients. They let them know if they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist. Then about 15,000 semifinalists move to finalist standing.
About 7,600 winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) may be notified. Part of the decision making process looks at students’ abilities, skills, and accomplishments.
How Do You Get the Most Money for Merit Scholarships?
Many scholarship providers factor in both need and merit. There are at least six things that may help you get the most merit aid for college.
Don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for federal aid too. This might be useful if the amount of your merit scholarship is not enough to pay tuition, fees, housing etc.
Apply to schools where your grades put you ahead. Many college admissions look at the entire pool of applicants. You may be ahead of the student body in some colleges and not in others.
Check whether the merit scholarship is renewable. If so, abiding by the terms may help pay your entire four years at college.
Make sure you understand the net cost of attending each school you apply to. Then assess the amount of merit aid you can get and see what makes the most sense to you.
Figure out where your talents lie and use them when you search for scholarships. It doesn’t have to be high marks. The Doodle for Google Scholarship rewards creativity.
When applying to a college or university, look at their financial aid section and scan for merit scholarships to see if you qualify.
With the support of the National Science Foundation, College of Saint Mary offers a unique and competitive program for academically talented students who excel in STEM. Our Marie Curie Scholarship provides significant financial support and resources for young women who want to major in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Human Biology (non-Pre-PA majors).
You could receive up to $20,000 toward your College of Saint Mary education each year while you live on campus and continue to meet program requirements. That is up to $80,000 for a four year degree! Marie Curie Scholars receive academic support from tutors, gain research opportunities, enjoy a community of bright, science and math minded women, and participate in seminars and student clubs.
The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. provides strong DUI and criminal defense representation. Our firm brings together knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced attorneys and other legal professionals to successfully serve our clients.
Student must submit an essay of 500 to 1000 words on the following prompt: How has your experience as a Veteran or the child of a Veteran influenced your academic and career goals? How do you plan to use your education to make a positive impact in your community?” With the essay, student will also need to submit their most recent academic transcript, proof of military service for themselves or parent, a professional headshot, and contact information (name, address, phone number, email address).
We provide scholarships and educational resources for first-generation college students to help ensure their success in academics and in life.
College can be a significant burden to students, especially first-time college students. We help by providing financial assistance through our scholarship program. However, the program is much more than just money for school. We also provide educational resources and mentoring to help you along your journey.
At Distasio Law Firm, we fight for the rights of people who suffer from a birth injury. We have been doing this for over a decade, and we will continue to do so because we know how challenging life with a birth injury can be.
If your birth injury was a result of medical malpractice or some form of negligence from another individual, it would also be very easy to live a bitter and resentful life, rather than a hopeful one that sees the possibilities, not the limitations, that lie before you.
If you are reading about this scholarship, you did not take the easy way out. You dug deep and found a spark of motivation that propels you forward. And now you are college-bound. We want to hear your story, and we think other young people who struggle with birth injuries will want to hear it, too.
YOUR STORY COULD BE YOUR TICKET TO WINNING THIS SCHOLARSHIP
Nobody’s story is quite like yours. And nobody can tell it like you can tell it. Imagine where you were five or 10 years ago. Imagine the challenges you were facing. What pulled you through? What life lessons could another birth injury survivor have shared with you at that age to inspire you?
This is what we want to know about you. The applicant whose application and essay most touches us as a story of courage, drive, and hope will win a $2,500 scholarship from Distasio Law Firm.
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. If you meet the stated criteria, we invite you to apply for a National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Colorado Section, 2023 Scholarship. The completed application due date is April 16, 2023 and late applications will not be accepted. Up to 10 $2,000 scholarships will be awarded and the recipients will be honored at a brunch this summer at The Golda Meir House Museum.
For decades we have been providing scholarships to young Jewish Colorado women in need who desiring to continue their education after high school. The scholarships are given in honor of the women who have shaped our organization and by current members for a variety of reasons. A scholarship can be perpetual or a one time event. If you would like to honor someone by providing a scholarship please contact us.
The Friends of the California State Fair offers 12 categories of scholarships with varying eligibility requirements. Applicants may apply for one scholarship category of their choice per year. Applicants must meet all of the criteria for a specific scholarship to be an eligible candidate. Applicants must plan to enroll for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. Students graduating after the fall 2023 are not eligible to apply, as this scholarship is intended for the full academic year.
The Friends of the California State Fair offers 12 categories of scholarships with varying eligibility requirements:
• Agricultural Students (current college student)
• Agricultural Students (high school senior)
• Art Major
• Business Major
• California State Fair Exhibitors or Volunteers
• Culinary, Hospitality, or Event Planning Major
• International Agriculture Students (sponsored by Blue Diamond)
• Sacramento Region Top Achiever
• Teacher Credential Program
• Top 10 Percent of Class
• Trade School Program
• Wine & Grape Growing Major
Applicants may apply for one scholarship category of their choice per year. Applicants must meet all of the criteria for a
specific scholarship to be an eligible candidate. Applicants must plan to enroll for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024
semesters. Students graduating after the fall 2023 are not eligible to apply, as this scholarship is intended for the full
academic year.
In 1885, five indomitable, foresighted women, their bustles in place, met in the old Plymouth Congregational Church, 5th & Grand Avenue, to form what is now the Des Moines Women’s Club. Since its early years, the Des Moines Women’s Club has provided strong support for the arts in central Iowa. The DMWC annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, college students, and students pursuing higher education degrees.
The Des Moines Women’s Club Literature Scholarship is open to registered students or residents of central Iowa (Polk, Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, or Warren Counties) and is awarded to a graduating high school senior of any gender pursuing a major or minor degree in Language and Literature, Language Arts, Journalism, Writing or Language Education. Applicants may apply for only one Des Moines Women’s Club scholarship per year and must submit one poem, one short story, and one narrative essay as well as a short biographical essay including future writing goals. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.
The Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship offers $1,000 per year, for four years, to a graduate of a Delaware public high school. They must major in education and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. While not a requirement, graduates are encouraged to teach in a Delaware public school. The scholarship offers $1,000 per year, for four years, to a graduate of a Delaware public high school. They must major in education and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. While not a requirement, graduates are encouraged to teach in a Delaware public school.
The selection committee, comprised of DSEA staff and members, considers a variety of factors when making its decision. These factors include academic performance, involvement in high school activities, and career plans. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from their teachers, which focuses on their leadership potential, personal character, and degree of initiative. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.
To advance the goals of diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, Modrall Sperling has established the Max J. Madrid Law Diversity Scholarship. The scholarship provides tuition assistance toward an awardee’s second or third year of law school. Persons in their first or second year of law school may apply if they are from a diverse background that historically has been underrepresented within the legal profession. Modrall Sperling is dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces differences, promotes equality, and engenders mutual respect and inclusion where everyone has the opportunity to excel.
To be eligible for the Max J. Madrid Law Diversity Scholarship, applicants must: demonstrate strong academic achievement in college and, if applicable, in the first year of law school; demonstrate leadership qualities with employment and/or community service experience; demonstrate excellence in research and communication skills, including written and oral; make a compelling statement of the applicant’s desire and the ability to overcome obstacles; attend an ABA-accredited law school; and plan to practice law in the state of New Mexico.
Childhood Cancer Society (CCS) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping families who are struggling with childhood cancer. From financial support to providing gifts/wish grants, our efforts support families battling pediatric cancer to maintain a mindset conducive to healing.
CCS’s wish grants are fulfilled through its Adventure Ted Program. Adventure Ted is the official spokes-bear of the foundation, and he journeys around helping families overcome their challenges while maintaining a positive mindset. Within the Adventure Ted Program is The Enchanted Theme Park Vacation Experience. The Enchanted Theme Park Vacation Experience is an all-expenses paid VIP Disney/ Universal Theme Park Vacation with 5-star lodging at Give Kids The World Village for a week.
Our organization receives its support requests through our vetted network of social workers at hospitals we have partnered with throughout the USA.
