[Page 2] The 60 Best Merit-Based Scholarships in April 2026
Updated: March 30, 2026
Written by:
Elise


4.9/5 by 20523 students
If you’ve worked hard in school, scholarships should reward that effort. This page highlights merit-based scholarships on Bold.org, ranked by award amount, effort, and eligibility — built to recognize your achievements.
LIVE
Apr 05
,,
Awarded to Bold.org users
Why trust Bold.org?
100% free.James R. Schaaf Civil Engineering Scholarship
Funded byFloodplain Management AssociationThis scholarship aims to support undergraduate and graduate students who are focusing on water resources to help communities that have been impacted by floods.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes31David Ford / HDR College Scholarship
Funded byFloodplain Management AssociationThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of David Ford by supporting students who share his passion for water resources.Amount$10,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes32Marlene Manning Scholarship
Funded byManningThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Marlene Manning by supporting students from her home state as they pursue higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes33Change of Heart Scholarship
Funded byJessica ThomasThis scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to finish high school and pursue their callings through higher education.Amount$1,400Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes34Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship
Funded byWilliams FoundationThis scholarship seeks to recognize and celebrate young trailblazers who are forging their own paths in life.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 19, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes35Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship
Funded byGeanette Rodriguez-OjedaThe Ojeda Multi-County Youth Scholarship will be awarded to two deserving inner-city high school students to help pay for tuition and books.Amount$500Deadline:May 25, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes36Strong Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
Funded byLeaders ScholarshipsThis scholarship aims to support students with special needs who are pursuing their dreams of higher education so they can achieve all of their goals for the future.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 26, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes37Forever90 Scholarship
Funded byMary and House of Love, Inc.This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Mrs. Marion Makins by supporting students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership in their communities or churches, and a passion for service.Amount$1,000Deadline:May 27, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes38Ray W Bausick Green Industry Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKevin KossThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Ray W Bausick by supporting high-achieving students who are pursuing careers in the green industry.Amount$8,000Deadline:May 29, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes39Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation-Mary Louise Lindsey Service Scholarship
Funded byPatricia Lindsey Jackson FoundationThis scholarship aims to recognize and empower students or community members who embody the spirit of service and compassion that Mary Louise Lindsey exemplified.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 2, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes40Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byWilson FamilyThis scholarship seeks to uplift underserved youth who otherwise might not have a chance to pursue higher education.Amount$20,000Deadline:Jun 5, 2026Education LevelHigh School, Undergraduate41John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship
Funded byPuffer FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of John F. Puffer, Sr. by supporting students in Massachusetts who exemplify S.M.I.L.E. (shine, motivate, inspire, lead, excel) in their daily lives.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 8, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes42Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service“ Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAngela KingThe Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service” Memorial Scholarship was made to support an African American student who is unapologetically themselves and supports others through acts of service.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 12, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes43Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAustin/Bishop FamilyThis scholarship will support BIPOC students pursuing a career in the mental health field.Amount$500Deadline:Jun 21, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes44Hodge Legacy Community Service Scholarship
Funded byD’Shyla DuncanThis scholarship seeks to support students who don’t have the financial means to attend college but are passionate about making a difference in the world.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes45Trinity Lodge 127 PH Scott Heckstall Scholarship
Funded byTrinity Lodge 127This scholarship aims to support students who need help covering the cost of their pursuit of higher education.Amount$1,500Deadline:Jun 30, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes46Tamika A. Nurse Fashionista Memorial Scholarship
Funded byNurseThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Tamika A. Nurse by supporting young women who share her passions and are following in her footsteps.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jun 30, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes47GD Sandeford Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySandeford FamilyThis scholarship aims to make college more accessible by helping underserved African American students afford to pursue their dreams of higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jun 30, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes48Harry & Mary Sheaffer Scholarship
Funded byCM Global LLCThis scholarship aims to support students pursuing higher education so they have the necessary resources to stay in school.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jul 1, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes49Josh Gibson MD Scholarship
Funded byJosh Gibson MDThis scholarship seeks to honor Dr. Josh Gibson’s legacy by supporting the next generation of transformative leaders across all fields of study.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jul 14, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes50Manuela Calles Scholarship for Women
Funded byDr. Sandra CallesThis scholarship seeks to support young women in college who are pursuing careers in mental health or business.Amount$500Deadline:Aug 26, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes51Mighty Memorial Scholarship
Funded byChynenye OkonkwoThis scholarship aims to honor Mighty’s legacy by supporting nursing students so they can achieve all of their dreams.Amount$1,000Deadline:Aug 28, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes52Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship
Funded bymark jeffersonThis scholarship will support one extremely ambitious African-American in their studies to become an educator for the future.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jan 13, 2027Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes53Michele L. Durant Scholarship
Funded byHeidelThis scholarship aims to monetarily assist women of color in pursuing higher education to free up their time and resources and allow them to focus on obtaining leadership roles and effecting necessary change.Amount$2,000Deadline:Jan 27, 2027Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes54Hines Scholarship
Funded byKristin HinesThis scholarship aims to support underrepresented students who are pursuing higher education so they can overcome the obstacles they face and succeed.Amount$2,500Deadline:Dec 1, 2025Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners55Lemon-Aid Scholarship
Funded byChristine AndruzziThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Coleen Elizabeth Lemon by supporting students with financial need as they pursue higher education.Amount$1,650Deadline:May 2, 2024Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners56Hakim Mendez Scholarship
Funded byHakim Mendez Scholarship FundThis scholarship will support students attending or planning to attend an HBCU.Amount$1,150Deadline:Dec 4, 2023Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners57Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMonk FamilyThis scholarship seeks to carry on Kayla Nicole Monk’s name and legacy by helping students achieve their dreams.Amount$1,500Deadline:Nov 3, 2025Education LevelAnyScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners58Kenyada Me'Chon Thomas Legacy Scholarship
Funded byCermonia ThomasThis scholarship will support BIPOC high school seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.Amount$1,000Deadline:Jul 30, 2025Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners59Alcide Thomas Jr. Scholarship
Funded byThomas FamilyThis scholarship seeks to support students who are passionate about pursuing higher education and need financial assistance to do so.Amount$1,320Deadline:Apr 15, 2023Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners60