Top Merit-Based Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines
August 25, 2025


Access scholarships that are only available on Bold.org—apply easily for the best merit-based awards and secure your future funding now.














$2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
Amount
$2,000Deadline
Only 4 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 5 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 eligible4Bulkthreads.com's "Let's Aim Higher" Scholarship
Funded byBulkthreads.comAmount
$515Deadline
Jun 16, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing higher education in order to make a marked difference in the world.- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
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
Funded byAdeeb OdehAmount
$1,000Deadline
Nov 16, 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
8Bob Thompson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byThompsonAmount
$6,100Deadline
Apr 30, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to give back to Bob Thompson’s community by supporting students who share his love for education.- State: Ohio
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Field of Study: Education
- Education Level: High school senior or four-year undergraduate student
9Kristen McCartney Perseverance Scholarship
Funded byKristen’s KrewAmount
$4,300Deadline
May 15, 2026Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support North Carolina female students who demonstrate perseverance and are passionate about their community.- Education Level: High school junior or senior
- State: North Carolina
- Gender: Female
- GPA: 3.5 or higher
- Experience: Volunteer or non-profit work
10Baby OG: Next Gen Female Visionary Scholarship
Funded byAudrey NunaAmount
$4,000Deadline
Only 3 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to further equity in education and the workplace by ensuring that all students are able to pursue their academic and professional goals.- Race: BIPOC
- Gender: Female-identifying
- Field of Study: STEM/innovation
- GPA: 3.5 GPA or higher
- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
11Zedikiah Randolph Memorial Scholarship
Funded byRaja-Nee KeysAmount
$500Deadline
Only 4 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support BIPOC students who are pursuing higher education so they can overcome the barriers they face and be an inspiration to those who follow them.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Race: BIPOC
- Field of Study: STEM, business, finance, marketing, or medicine
12Conscious Consumer No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship exists to support students building financial literacy skills and looking to be more conscious of their financial habits.All students are eligible13100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 100 Bold Points.All students are eligible14300 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$3,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 300 Bold Points.All students are eligible15200 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$2,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 200 Bold Points.All students are eligible16400 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$4,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 400 Bold Points.All students are eligible17Bold.org No-Essay Top Friend Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$5,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who has been invited by friends to join Bold.org, and who has the boldest Bold.org profile.All students are eligible181000 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$10,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 1000 Bold Points.All students are eligible19500 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$5,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to the student whose Bold.org profile is the most bold, and who has earned at least 500 Bold Points.All students are eligible20No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$10,000Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis exclusive no-essay scholarship is for anyone thinking through how to pay for college.All students are eligible21ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$500Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is perfect for current and prospective college students who are in search of funding.All students are eligible22Surveys and Savings No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$500Deadline
Only 5 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are looking for free and easy opportunities to improve their finances.All students are eligible23Niche College No-Essay Scholarship
Funded byBold.orgAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 6 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is perfect for students interested in college and grad school tips and resources.All students are eligible24Lynch Engineering Scholarship
Funded byAustin LynchAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 12 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support smart, self-driven, ambitious, kind, and generous engineers so they can pay for their college tuition.- Education Level: High school senior planning to pursue a four-year degree or a current four-year undergraduate student
- Financial Background: Low-income
- Field of Study: Engineering
25Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund
Funded byCyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship FundAmount
$1,000Deadline
Only 16 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support African students who are struggling financially so they can fund their education and achieve their dreams.- Race: African
- Financial Status: Low-income
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Background: Migrant from Africa or the child of African migrants
26Neal Hartl Memorial Sales/Marketing Scholarship
Funded byBeaconMedaesAmount
$3,000Deadline
Only 16 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Neal Hartl by supporting students who are pursuing higher education and careers in business.- Education Level: Undergraduate student
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Field of Study: Business management, sales, or marketing
27Eric W. Larson Memorial STEM Scholarship
Funded byLeslie LarsonAmount
$10,000Deadline
Only 19 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor Eric Larson’s commitment to equality in the sciences by supporting women of color who are pursuing STEM despite the challenges they face.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Field of Study: STEM
- Race: BIPOC
- Gender: Female-identifying
- Background: Financially disadvantaged
28Ismat's Scholarship for Empowering Muslim Women
Funded byTariq Aslam and FamilyAmount
$3,000Deadline
Only 19 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Ismat by keeping her dreams alive and empowering Muslim women to not give up on their educational journeys and to do their part to make this world a better place!- Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Gender: Female-identifying
- Religion: Muslim
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Background: Financial need
- States: TX, FL, GA, AL, NC, DE, IL, NV, PA, VA, DC, OH, CA, MS, MD, NJ, NY
29FIAH Scholarship
Funded byDaleth EstradaAmount
$2,000Deadline
Only 29 days left!Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to make college more accessible by supporting students who want to further their education in order to make the world a better place.- Education Level: Class of 2025 high school senior or current undergraduate student
- GPA: 3.0 GPA or higher
- Background: Involved in sports, arts, or community service during high school
- Location: Texas
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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.