Top Merit-Based Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

Good grades don't just help with college admissions—they can also help with tuition. Merit scholarships provide funding to students who demonstrate academic excellence through test scores, GPAs, or personal academic projects.

Leverage your grades to start making smart financial moves while you're still in high school or college. In this guide, we'll review:

1. How to find merit-based scholarships
2. List of the top merit scholarships
3. Other financial aid awards (the Gates Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship Program)
4. Tips for winning financial aid

If you think you don't need to apply for scholarships, or it's not worth your time, think again. Scholarships are competitive—but not all merit scholarships have impossible odds if you pick the right ones. Plus, funding may be more available than you realize. According to the Education Data Initiative:

1. Each year, private and federal programs provide over $100 billion in grant and scholarship money.
2. The average scholarship winner at a public 2-year institution earns $4,100.
3. The average first-time undergraduate scholarship winner at a 4-year college earns $15,750.

Keep reading for exclusive merit scholarships and tips on where to find them.

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Best Merit-Based Scholarships

Other scholarships might award money based on community service or leadership skills, while athletic scholarships look for physical ability. Need-based scholarships are awarded to students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In contrast, merit scholarships are typically awarded based on academic performance.

1. Academic Scholarships

Many different types of merit scholarships seek to help talented, hardworking students afford the costs of a college education. The amount varies for each merit award, ranging from $500 to $75,000, but even small awards can make a difference and are worth considering.

2. Full-Tuition Scholarships

Full-tuition scholarships cover the total cost of attendance at the university you're enrolled in. However, these scholarships often receive a very high volume of applicants, so be sure to apply for other scholarships with less competition as well.

3. Essay Scholarships

Many merit scholarships are essay scholarships, meaning you'll need to write a short personal statement to apply. The essay should include your key takeaways from your education and show how what you've learned will help you make a positive impact on society moving forward.

4. The Gates Scholarship

Created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Scholarship aims to enable outstanding high school seniors to pursue a college education without financial obstacles. This scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and transportation.

It is worth noting that the Gates Scholarship is highly competitive, with approximately 300 scholarships awarded annually out of thousands of applicants. Nevertheless, with a rigorous selection process focusing on academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement, this scholarship presents an excellent opportunity for deserving students striving to make a difference.

Merit Scholarships by Major

1. Political Science Scholarships

Students interested in government work, administrative community service, and similar positions can apply for political science major scholarships.

2. Chemistry Scholarships

You'll need a high GPA to succeed in an academically difficult field like chemistry. Find merit scholarships that reward your hard work to support your interest in STEM!

3. Healthcare Scholarships

Nurses, physicians, and medical assistants are necessary for public health. These occupations allow you to help others while making a living, and can sometimes be quite lucrative as well.

4. Psychology Scholarships

If you're interested in supporting the mental health of those around you, a degree in psychology might be for you. Use your training to counsel and guide others through difficult times in their lives with these psychology scholarships.

5. Engineering Scholarships

Engineering is another difficult subject that not everyone can succeed in. Merit scholarships can help fund your engineering degree if you're able to maintain a high GPA in this competitive field.

6. Computer Science Scholarships

Find merit-based scholarships for your computer science degree with this curated list. Coding, software development, and cybersecurity are all in high demand, though you'll face tough competition as well.

Merit Scholarships for Higher Education

1. Graduate Student Scholarships

Students who are driven to earn good grades may also be inclined to pursue higher degrees, such as a master's or PhD. The above scholarships are intended for college students interested in furthering their education beyond a bachelor's degree.

2. Graduate Student Scholarships for Women

These scholarship opportunities help support women pursuing advanced or terminal degrees. Whether your dream is to become a lawyer, doctor, or astrophysicist, these grad student scholarships are for you.

3. Law School Scholarships

Law school typically takes three years, which can be a strain on your wallet if you don't budget properly. These law school scholarships help you save up for your J.D. degree.

4. Medical School Scholarships

Aside from federal financial aid, medical school scholarships can also help you get through the long, arduous medical school process. Attending any medical school will be costly, but attending one of the top colleges for medicine could break the bank if you're not careful.

Scholarships Based on GPA

1. Merit-Based 2.0 GPA Scholarship
2. Merit-Based 2.5 GPA Scholarship
3. Merit-Based 3.0 GPA Scholarship
4. Merit-Based 3.5 GPA Scholarship

One way you can demonstrate academic excellence is through your grade point average. For high school students who haven't yet taken any standardized tests, leveraging an impressive GPA can be critical in earning merit scholarships. Many merit scholarships will ask for a certain GPA when you apply.

How to Apply for Merit-Based Scholarships

1. Find Merit Scholarships

Many scholarships target specific fields of study, demographics, or regions, so make sure to tailor your search accordingly. Take note of specific criteria, application deadlines, and any supporting documents needed.

Check with the following organizations to find more scholarships:

1. Online scholarship platforms like Bold.org
2. Your school's financial aid office
3. Extracurricular activities and organizations

Foundations and nonprofits like The Gates Foundation, for example, often reward students who excel academically and try to meet the financial needs of students who win their awards.

2. Prepare Documents for the Eligibility Requirements

Once you have identified the scholarships that resonate with you, start gathering the necessary application materials. These typically include your:

1. Academic transcripts
2. Standardized test scores
3. Letters of recommendation
4. Personal statement or essay
5. Documentation of demonstrated financial need

When preparing your scholarship application, pay attention to the details. Ensure that your transcripts are up to date and accurately reflect your academic achievements. Request letters of recommendation well in advance, giving your recommenders ample time to write thoughtful and compelling letters.

3. Writing the Scholarship Essay

Do Some Self-Reflection

Every scholarship will have a different prompt. Most merit scholarships will ask you about the field you've chosen to study and what inspires you to succeed in school.

With that in mind, be sure to consider why you want to study what you're studying. Try to use a personal experience or anecdote to highlight why you are pursuing the field you've chosen. This can help the donor get to know you as a person, as well as understand what motivates you.

Start the Essay with a Hook

Donors will be more likely to read and remember your essay if you spend some time on the structure. Be sure to answer the prompt of the essay—the question should inform the topic you are writing about.

Try to start with an engaging hook. This could be a snappy one-liner about why you chose this field, a short but defining moment in your academic life, or anything else that's applicable. The key is that you want the hook to do two things: 1) introduce the topic and 2) pique the reader's curiosity.

Key Takeaways: Demonstrating Worth to Society

In your conclusion, explain why you deserve to win merit scholarships. You need to show that you're a worthwhile investment—not only someone who can study and get good grades, but someone who can apply that knowledge outside the classroom.

Tips for Applying for Merit-Based Scholarships

Applying for merit-based scholarships can be a time-consuming task, but you can enhance your chances of success by following these helpful tips:

1. Showcase Your Uniqueness

Highlight what sets you apart from other applicants. Emphasize your unique experiences, achievements, and aspirations. Scholarship committees are looking for individuals who demonstrate exceptional qualities and have the potential to make a positive impact on society.

Provide examples of leadership roles or unique skills you've employed during your time as a student. Other factors, like your personal storytelling voice and personality, can also help set you apart.

2. Seek Recommendation Letters Wisely

Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your abilities, strengths, and potential. Provide them with any relevant information that will help them write personalized and impactful letters of recommendation. Remember to ask for recommendations well in advance to give your recommenders enough time to craft thoughtful letters.

3. Stay Organized

Keep track of application deadlines, documents needed, and any other requirements specific to each scholarship. Create a calendar or spreadsheet to stay organized and ensure that you submit your applications and other forms accurately and on time.

Additional Resources for Merit Students

1. National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program rewards students with outstanding PSAT and SAT scores. The process is competitive and has many tiers, including commended students, semifinalists, finalists, and finally, scholars.

Only those who are deemed outstanding students receive National Merit Scholarships, but commended students and finalists still benefit by reporting their status on college applications. Any eligible students should apply for a chance to win.

2. Fulbright Program

This international educational exchange program, sponsored by the U.S. government, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. It offers scholarships for U.S. citizens to study, conduct research, and teach abroad, as well as for non-U.S. citizens to do the same in the United States. As it takes academic performance into account, it can be considered a merit scholarship program, though it's far more comprehensive than the average scholarship.

3. The Rhodes Scholarship

Founded in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most renowned international scholarship programs. Each year, this scholarship selects exceptional students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. Offering full funding for two to three years of study, the Rhodes Scholarship provides both financial support and an unparalleled academic experience.

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