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.
The Brian C. Jensen Edu Fund Scholarship offers a $1,000 award to support ambitious undergraduate and graduate students in the United States, aiming to alleviate the financial challenges of higher education. Founded by Brian C. Jensen, a leader in management consulting, this scholarship embodies his commitment to empowering students through educational opportunities. Open to students of all majors, the Edu Fund seeks to recognize and assist those with a passion for academic excellence and community service.
The criminal justice system can be an intimidating and overwhelming place, especially for those who do not have the legal knowledge to cope with it.
That is why we are proud to introduce our new scholarship program specifically designed for law students who are interested in helping individuals within the criminal justice system. We are committed to helping those who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the field of criminal law. The Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. Criminal Justice Scholarship provides recipients with an award of $1,000 to use toward their tuition fees and educational expenses.
On average, Black women in STEM earn salaries that are 45% lower than their highest-paid peers. BestColleges is committed to breaking down barriers for students in underrepresented communities, who desire careers in the most competitive fields. This year, we’ll be giving away five $6,000 scholarships to Black women who are currently pursuing careers in STEM.
The Armenian American Medical Society strongly believes in investing in our future healthcare professionals, who will play a crucial role in improving the health and well-being of our community. Each year, the Armenian American Medical Society awards scholarships to qualified Armenian students enrolled in various healthcare education programs, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, mental health, and allied health. Since 2009, the AAMS has granted 108 scholarships to Armenian-American students in need throughout the United States.
We are delighted to inform you that we will be awarding individual $5,000 scholarships based on either financial need or academic merit once again this year. Whether you excel academically, display exceptional merit, or need financial support to pursue your educational dreams, these scholarships are designed for you.
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are currently enrolled in a dental hygiene baccalaureate program and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Applicants must be student or professional members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and be attending a school with an active chapter of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society.
This award is for full-time U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are insured (either a base policy or a rider) on a Baptist Life Association permanent life insurance certificate, term life insurance certificate, or annuity for two years or more prior to May 31. A $1,000 award is being offered.
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of Lancaster County, Nebraska and will graduate from Lincoln Northeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Students must demonstrate an interest in business through class choice, work experience or extracurricular activities; plan to attend a public or private Nebraska four-year college or university; and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Graduate students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher who are pursuing a degree in dental hygiene are eligible for this award. Applicants must be student or professional members of the American Dental Hygienist’s Association (ADHA) and members of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society.
This scholarship is open to U.S. students pursuing a certificate or associate’s degree in dental hygiene who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Applicants must be student or professional members of the ADHA and be attending schools with an active chapter of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society.
Are you a high school senior, graduate, or current college student with an identified disability? This includes any long-term or recurring condition that impacts one or more major life activities. If so, consider applying for the Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities! Each year, the scholarship provides $2,500 to multiple full-time students and $1,250 to half-time students who apply. The scholarship is jointly offered by Wells Fargo and Scholarship America in order to “help?students pursue the education or training they need to succeed in their chosen career path.”
If you have an identified disability and are looking for some help in paying off college costs, we encourage you to apply!
