Top Merit-Based Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines
July 7, 2025


Backed by $36M in awards and trusted by millions of students, Bold.org is the definitive hub for merit scholarships. Explore hundreds of exclusive awards owned and managed by Bold.org, then apply directly on the page. Sort by deadline, GPA, or award size with filter tabs to find matches in seconds. Sign up free for daily alerts when new scholarships appear. Read our expert strategies to increase your odds.














$2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
Amount
$2,000Deadline
Only 21 days left!Education Level
AnyApply to Sallie Mae's monthly merit-based No-Essay Scholarship in seconds for a chance to win $2,000!All students are eligible1 monthly winnerLearn MoreHosted by a 3rd partyVerified by Bold.orgSponsored1Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMatthew E. Minor Awareness FoundationAmount
$1,000Deadline
Mar 01, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to encourage the next generation to combat bullying and to protect children and teens on the internet.- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Education Level: High school senior (Class of 2026)
2Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship
Funded bymark jeffersonAmount
$2,080Deadline
Jan 14, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support one extremely ambitious African-American in their studies to become an educator for the future.- Ethnicity: Black
- Gender: Male
- GPA: 2.8 or higher
3$25,000 "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$25,030Deadline
Only 22 days left!Education Level
AnyThe world will be shaped by the bold—the fighters, the risk-takers, the earnest overachievers who won’t take no for an answer. The $10,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.All students are eligible4Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKnorr FamilyAmount
$2,725Deadline
Only 1 day left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Treye Knorr by uplifting the next generation of learners so they can achieve their dreams.- Education Level: Entering a four-year undergraduate degree in the fall of 2024
- Gender: Male-identifying
- GPA: 3.5 or higher
5Alger Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLily RannacherAmount
$550Deadline
Oct 01, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who display the qualities of stellar work ethic, dedication to volunteerism, and eagerness to excel academically.- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
- GPA: 3.5 or higher
6Mema and Papa Scholarship
Funded byThe Cheetah FundAmount
$600Deadline
Apr 12, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and embark on their pursuit of higher education.- Education Level: High school senior
- State: Pennsylvania
7Ellen Melinda Smith Odeh Scholarship Fund
Funded byAdeeb OdehAmount
$1,000Deadline
Nov 15, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Ellen Melinda by supporting students who share her passion for learning and helping others.- Education Level: Undergraduate student
- Field of Study: Nursing
- State: Illinois
8Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAustin/Bishop FamilyAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support BIPOC students pursuing a career in the mental health field.- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
- Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
- Major/Field: Mental health related
- GPA: 2.5 or higher
9Sewing Seeds: Lena B. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Funded byNekia DavisAmount
$1,650Deadline
Only 1 day left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support underrepresented students.- Education Level: High school or four-year undergraduate student
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Identity: Underrepresented minority
10Rooted in Change Scholarship
Funded byTisch Environmental, IncAmount
$3,000Deadline
Only 15 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world around them.- Education Level: High school senior
- Field of Interest: Conservation, sustainability, environmental education, public health, etc.
11TRAM Purple Phoenix Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousAmount
$10,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to empower survivors of intimate partner violence so they can thrive and achieve their dreams.- Education Level: Current undergraduate, trade school, or graduate student or high school senior accepted into an accredited college, university, or trade school
- GPA: 3.5 GPA or higher
- Background: Survivor of intimate partner violence
- Experience: History of leadership and community service or volunteer work
12Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship
Funded byNnaji FamilyAmount
$5,000Deadline
Only 2 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji by supporting students who are first or second-generation African immigrants as they pursue higher education.- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Background: First or second-generation African immigrant
- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
13Ray W Bausick Green Industry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKevin KossAmount
$6,000Deadline
Only 4 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Ray W Bausick by supporting high-achieving students who are pursuing careers in the green industry.- Education Level: High school senior or two or four-year undergraduate student
- Majors of Interest: Landscape architecture, agronomics, turf management, etc.
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
14Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
Funded byWieland HealthcareAmount
$2,500Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support current or future nursing students.- Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Major: Nursing
15TTOG Scholarship
Funded byGiles FamilyAmount
$36,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor Terryn, Teagan, and Olivia Giles by supporting students who need financial assistance in order to achieve their educational goals.- State: South Carolina
- GPA: 3.5 or higher
- Financial Status: Low or middle-income
- Education Level: High school senior or current undergraduate
16Marcello Rosino Memorial Scholarship
Funded byRosinoAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 9 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is designed to empower and support deserving students of Italian American heritage who share a passion for education, fostering the language language and culture, and embody the values of diligence and determination, and aspire to contribute positively to their communities, just as Marcello Rosino did.- Heritage: Italian American
- GPA: 3.0 or Above
- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
17Miguel Mendez Social Justice Scholarship
Funded byNancy RobertsAmount
$2,000Deadline
Only 10 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support students who are passionate about social justice and seek to enact change in their communities.- Education Level: Undergraduate
- Background: Low-income and first-generation college student
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Career Path: Social Justice
18Young Achievers For Higher Education
Funded byDouglas G. ChestangAmount
$1,452Deadline
Only 12 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students who are goal-oriented and devoted to achieving their dreams through higher education.- Education Level: High school senior
- School Name: Murphy High School
- Location: Mobile, Alabama
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
19Boundless Scholarship
Funded byGriffin FurlongAmount
$500Deadline
Only 12 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support a student in Duval County, Florida, who has defied the odds by graduating at the top of their class while battling poverty and/or homelessness.- Education Level: High school senior
- Financial Status: Low-income
- Background: Has overcome adversity (poverty, homelessness, etc.)
- GPA: 3.0 or greater
- Location: Duval County, Florida
20OMC Graduate Scholarships
Funded byOnline Masters CollegesAmount
$500Deadline
Only 15 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to empower the next generation of professionals by supporting students who are dedicated to making a difference through their graduate studies.- Education Level: Graduate student pursuing a master's degree
- GPA: 3.0 GPA or higher
21Compassion in Action Future Medical Leaders Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousAmount
$5,000Deadline
Only 15 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support Christian students who are of mixed Asian and white descent and pursuing the medical field.- Education Level: High school or bachelor's degree student
- Race: Biracial (Asian and white)
- Religion: Christian
- Field of Study: Medicine
- GPA and Test Scores: 3.75 or above and at least a 1500 SAT score or ACT equivalent score
22Female Musician Scholarship
Funded byAnonymous DonorAmount
$20,000Deadline
Only 18 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support women who are passionate about music as they pursue higher education.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Race/ethnicity: Middle Eastern or Asian descent (Pakistani preferred)
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Background: Has contributed to the musical arts - band, chorus, orchestra, etc.
23CEW IV Foundation Scholarship Program
Funded byClyde E. Woodroffe IV FoundationAmount
$500Deadline
Only 19 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support underrepresented students so they can pursue higher education, regardless of financial status.- Race: BIPOC
- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
2415 and the Mahomies Foundation – Tyler, TX Area Scholarship
Funded by15 and the Mahomies FoundationAmount
$50,000Deadline
Only 20 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students from Tyler County who are exceptional members of their community and who are hoping to give back through their pursuit of higher education.- Education Level: High school senior (Class of 2025)
- Location: Tyler, Texas Area
2515 and the Mahomies Foundation – Kansas City Area Scholarship
Funded by15 and the Mahomies FoundationAmount
$50,000Deadline
Only 20 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students from the Kansas City area who are exceptional members of their community and who are hoping to give back through their pursuit of higher education.- Location: Kansas City area
- Education Level: High school senior (Class of 2025)
2615 and the Mahomies Foundation – Lubbock County Scholarship
Funded by15 and the Mahomies FoundationAmount
$50,000Deadline
Only 20 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students from Lubbock County who are exceptional members of their community and who are hoping to give back through their pursuit of higher education.- Location: Lubbock County, Texas
- Education Level: High school senior (Class of 2025)
27"A Daring Path" No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byCalvin RosserAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 21 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship exists to support a bold person who wants to get the most out of this world.All students are eligible28W. Tong and A.C. Wong 2025 Legacy Scholarship
Funded byTongAmount
$30,000Deadline
Only 21 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students with financial need as they pursue their goals of higher education in order to create the life of their dreams.- Education Level: High school senior
- Background: FGLI (first-generation, low-income)
- Ethnicity: At least 50% Asian
- GPA: 3.5 GPA or higher
29Ultrafabrics Inc. Scholarship Award
Funded byUltrafabrics Inc.Amount
$10,000Deadline
Only 22 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support the next generation of designers who are committed to prioritizing environmental and social sustainability.- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Desired Career Field: Design or Engineering
30
Frequently Asked Questions
Merit scholarships are financial aid awards given to students who demonstrate high academic achievement. Unlike the application process for need-based scholarships, merit scholarships don't necessarily ask for proof of a certain financial status. On the other hand, merit scholarships will likely ask for test scores, GPAs, or transcripts.
A GPA of 3.5 or higher is usually competitive enough to qualify for most merit scholarships. However, the exact requirement can vary. Some highly competitive programs may look for GPAs closer to 3.8 or above, while other scholarship providers may also consider additional factors like test scores, extracurriculars, or essays.
Merit scholarships can be competitive, especially at the national level or when large amounts of money are involved. That said, many scholarships are available at the local, state, and institutional levels that may have fewer applicants. Students who consistently perform well academically and stay involved in extracurricular activities can improve their chances significantly.