What Top Schools Offer Merit Scholarships?

Merit scholarships can be a great way for students who demonstrate academic excellence to pay for college. Many top schools offer merit scholarships, including full-ride and partial scholarships, but only a small amount of students receive them. Don't let that discourage you from applying for these scholarships, though! By researching top colleges that offer merit scholarships, you can increase your chances of receiving a merit-based award. And I will walk you through ways to make this happen.

Today's article is all about the top schools in the country that offer merit scholarships. I will talk about what merit aid is, the different types of merit scholarships, the top schools that offer them to admitted students, and how you can increase your chances of securing scholarship awards--this includes international students and out-of-state students, as well. So, for all you ambitious graduating high school seniors, this one's for you! Let's get into it.

Head over to Bold.org's Scholarship Blog to learn how you can apply for merit-based scholarships. All you need is a FREE Bold profile, and you're good to go!

Understanding Merit Scholarships

Let's start with the basics.

Merit aid is a type of financial aid awarded based on academic achievement. This is not to be confused with need-based aid. Merit scholarships help high-achieving students pay for college and can be offered by colleges, universities, and private schools. These awards are also not dependent on a family’s financial situation, unlike need-based scholarships.

Now, in order to receive a merit scholarship, students must have a high academic performance. This includes, but is not limited to, involvement in honors programs, extracurricular achievements, community involvement, community service, and demonstrated leadership over the course of their academic career.

If you're a high school student or incoming freshman pursuing your undergraduate degree, you want to take the time to research the top schools of your choice to understand what kind of merit aid they have available.

International Students and Merit Aid

When it comes to financial aid and scholarships, the question always arises: what about international students?

Merit-based scholarships for international students are known to be more competitive and limited compared to U.S. students, but they are available at certain schools, through specific programs. However, not all colleges and universities in the U.S. offer merit scholarships to international students. Many colleges reserve this kind of scholarship money for domestic students which is why research is key.

Types of Merit Aid for International Students

Like non-international merit-based aid, merit scholarships can be offered to international students, as well. These types of aid for international students include, but are not limited to:

• Academic Excellence: As you know, these kinds of scholarships are often based on a student’s academic performance, so the higher the high school GPA, standardized test scores, class rank, etc., the more chances of accepted students getting merit-based financial aid.
• Talent-Based Aid: This is different. There are schools that offer international students merit aid based on special talents like athletics, music, the arts, etc. Again, as always, do some research to know what schools offer this before committing to them.
• Leadership and Extracurricular Achievements: These kinds of merit awards are sometimes awarded to international students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community involvement, or unique achievements outside academics.

Test Scores May Play a Bigger Role

If you're applying for this kind of scholarship money, you probably figured that your test scores matter, and if you need reassurance that they do, they do. Because some schools have limited academic history for international students, standardized test scores (like the SAT and ACT) count. Most students tend to overlook standardized testing in regard to college admissions, but they often play a more significant role in determining merit aid eligibility for international students, especially during the junior and senior years of high school.

Types of Merit Scholarships

Now, while students do need to show their academic excellence to receive scholarships, being awarded a full ride scholarship (based on merit) has layers to it. Let's discuss some types of the best merit scholarships.

• Academic Scholarships: These are based on grades, standardized test scores (like the SAT/ACT), and any academic achievement that adheres to student excellence.
• Talent-Based Scholarships: These scholarships prepare college students for exceptional skills in different mediums, like music, art, theater, or athletics.
• Private Scholarships: Many companies, nonprofit organizations, or foundations offer merit scholarships, most times with specific eligibility requirements like location, background, or career interests.

Full-Ride vs. Partial Scholarships

Now, when it comes to scholarships, it's easy to get hung up on the dollar amount being offered, but no matter the kind of scholarship, students are still left with something, so what's the real difference? I will explain:

• Merit scholarships can be full-ride, covering tuition, room, board, and sometimes other expenses like study abroad or research. Check out how to get a full-ride scholarship here for a tuition-free college experience.
• Partial scholarships may only cover a portion of the cost, such as full tuition or a fixed amount toward tuition.

Renewability

You'll learn that some merit scholarships are renewable for multiple years, but that comes with stipulations specific to the scholarship. The majority of the time, students must maintain a certain GPA or meet other performance criteria to continue receiving the award. It’s also important to understand the renewal conditions before accepting a scholarship.

Top Schools Offering Merit Scholarships

Many top schools offer merit scholarships to high-achieving students, including Ivy League schools, elite private universities, and highly selective small liberal arts colleges. These schools often offer merit aid to attract top students who have a lot of choices.

Here is my list of some of the top schools that offer merit scholarships:

1. Duke University (NC)

• Duke offers some prestigious and highly competitive merit-based scholarships like the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, which is a full-ride scholarship in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill.

2. Vanderbilt University (TN)

• Vanderbilt is known for their three top merit scholarships: Ingram Scholars, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars, and Chancellor’s Scholars, all offering full-tuition or more.

3. University of Southern California (CA)

• USC offers several competitive merit scholarships, including the Trustee Scholarship (full-tuition) and Presidential Scholarship (half-tuition).

4. Washington University in St. Louis (MO)

• WashU offers a variety of merit-based scholarships across different disciplines, such as the Danforth Scholars Program and John B. Ervin Scholars Program.

5. University of Virginia (VA)

• UVA offers merit scholarships through the Jefferson Scholars Program, which provides full tuition, fees, and a living stipend.

6. Emory University (GA)

• Emory’s Emory Scholars Program offers full-tuition merit scholarships, and they have additional opportunities for smaller merit-based awards.

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)

• UNC offers the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, which covers full tuition and other school-related costs, while the Carolina Scholars program also offers significant merit-based awards.

8. University of Alabama (AL)

• The University of Alabama is known for its generous merit-based scholarships, particularly for out-of-state students.

9. University of Chicago (IL)

• UChicago offers merit scholarships through programs like the Odyssey Scholars Program for students who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence.

10. University of Miami (FL)

• The Stamps Scholarship is a merit-based award that covers full tuition, room and board.

Top Schools for International Students

Again, international students matter! Here are a few top schools in the country offering merit scholarships to top-performing students:

• Duke University: Offers several competitive merit-based scholarships, including the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program.
• New York University (NYU): Provides merit scholarships for international students.
• University of Southern California (USC): Offers the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships, which are offered to international students.
• Emory University: International students can apply for the Emory Scholars Program.
• University of Miami: Offers the Stamps Scholarship and other merit-based scholarships to international students.
• Clark University: Offers the Presidential LEEP Scholarship that includes full tuition and additional benefits for international students.

More Schools Offering Merit Scholarships

Of course, the above-mentioned schools aren't the only ones that offer merit scholarships. Here are a few more top schools where students can find merit-based aid:

• Chadron State College (NE)
• Wayne State College (NE)
• University of Nevada
• University of Wyoming
• Southern Utah University

Keep in mind: these schools may offer partial or full-tuition scholarships to qualified students, so it's best to do your research on what aid they offer to make an informed decision on what works best for your education.

How to Find Merit Scholarships

Familiarizing yourself with merit scholarships is only half the battle; finding merit scholarships is the war you can win! But it can be a strategic process involving time, patience, and careful planning, which is where I come in.

Here’s a guide to help you find and apply for merit-based scholarships:

1. Start with the Colleges: College websites always provide information about merit scholarships directly on admissions or financial aid webpages, so don't underestimate the power of going straight to the source. Look for pages detailing merit scholarships, honors programs, or scholarship databases at specific schools. You can also contact the financial aid or admissions office directly to ask about available merit-based scholarships.

For an alternative scholarship database, head over to Bold.org to search through hundreds of exclusive scholarships today!

2. Use Scholarship Search Engines: Like Bold.org, scholarship search engines can help you find both national and local merit-based awards. Some popular scholarship search engines include:
3. Research State-Specific Merit Scholarships: Many states offer merit-based scholarships for residents who attend in-state colleges or universities. For example, the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia, the Bright Futures Scholarship in Florida, and Tennessee Promise in Tennessee.

Be sure to check your state’s Department of Education website or your high school’s guidance office for details about state-sponsored merit scholarships.

4. Ask Your High School Guidance Counselors and Advisors: I cannot stress this enough: USE YOUR RESOURCES. High school counselors are a key source for students to find merit-based scholarships. Be proactive in your journey, and you will find the funding you need!

Frequently Asked Questions About What Top Schools Offer Merit Scholarships

What is a merit scholarship?

A merit scholarship is a financial aid awarded to well-accomplished students to use towards their education. They are based on achievements, whether they are academic or extracurricular activities, so if you're a first-generation college student or an incoming student, make sure you're staying on top of your school and its demands when it comes to merit-based scholarships.

Do merit scholarships take into account financial need?

While merit scholarships do not take financial need into account when awarding graduating high school seniors, they do consider many other factors like academic excellence, community involvement, community services. Even for international and first generation college students, merit scholarships can benefit everyone who qualifies!

Do I need to renew merit scholarships?

Some merit scholarships are one-time awards, while others automatically renew each year. It's important to touch base with your scholarship awards team to learn how you can renew them or if you even have to do so.

Learn more about the different types of scholarship awards at Bold.org's Scholarship Blog today!