Merit Scholarships

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What is a Merit Scholarship?

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Check whether the merit scholarship is renewable. If so, abiding by the terms may help pay your entire four years at college.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. When applying to a college or university, look at their financial aid section and scan for merit scholarships to see if you qualify.

List of Merit Scholarships

Check out our list of merit scholarships below.

Merit Scholarships 2025 List

Krewe of Agustina de Aragon Scholarship

This scholarship is available for female high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must come from a single-parent home or reside in a group home, must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must demonstrate unmet financial need.
Award Amount

Total:  $4,000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  January 15

Klif Kramer Firefighter Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students enrolled in the firefighting or emergency medical services program at the Florida State College of Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $1,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 31

Lyle Rhines Theatre Technology Scholarship

This scholarship is available for college freshman and sophomore students at FSCJ who are enrolled in the theater and entertainment technology program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $1,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 31

University of Evansville Academic Scholarship

U.S. graduating high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Evansville in Indiana are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher AND an SAT/ACT score of 1510/22 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $23,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  November 01

Women’s Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

This scholarship is available for high school seniors who attend a metropolitan Atlanta (GA) high school. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and an SAT score (math and critical reading) of 1000 or higher or an ACT composite score of 22 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $4,000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  January 22

Buckfire & Buckfire Disability Scholarship

The Disability Scholarship was established in 2014 as part of the law firm’s commitment to helping students with disabilities or injuries who are in need of financial assistance for education purposes. The scholarship is available to students of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.
Award Amount

Total:  $1,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  October 01

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers’ Single Mother Scholarship

This scholarship is available for single mothers in the U.S. who are currently enrolled in a law school or undergraduate program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and submit an essay on the advantages of parenting experience in school. Click to learn more and apply today!
Award Amount

Total:  $2,000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  December 05

Marjorie A. Johnston Memorial Scholarship for Adult Students

This scholarship is available for adult re-entry students who are at least 25 years of age and residents of Butler County, OH. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to major in nursing or a related healthcare field.
Award Amount

Total:  $6,000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  July 01

Arthur Harvey Scholarship

This scholarship is available for Middletown Ohio area high school seniors who are in the top 25% of their class by grade point average and score above average on the SAT or ACT. Applicants must be accepted to or planning to enroll in a public college or university in Ohio.
Award Amount

Total:  $10,000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  February 14

Dorothy M. Brayton Scholarship

This scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in Middletown Ohio who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need.
Award Amount

Total:  $2,500

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  February 14