[Page 2] The 60 Best Merit-Based Scholarships in April 2026
Updated: April 13, 2026
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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.
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100% free.Thomas 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, Undergraduate31John 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 minutes32Gladys 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 minutes33Arnetha 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 minutes34Trinity 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 minutes35Hodge 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 minutes36Tamika 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 minutes37GD 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 minutes38Harry & 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 minutes39Tia Lukeya Woods from Books Pages to Boarding Passes Scholarship
Funded byTanika CabralThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Tia Lukeya Woods by supporting students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a love of learning, and a desire to expand their worldview.Amount$5,000Deadline:Jul 7, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate40Josh 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 minutes41Manuela 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 minutes42Mighty 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 minutes43Hines 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$1,500Deadline:Nov 14, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes44Mark 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 minutes45Michele 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 minutes46Lemon-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 winners47Hakim 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 winners48Kayla 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 winners49Kenyada 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 winners50Grand Oaks Enterprises LLC Scholarship
Funded byGrand Oaks Enterprises LLCThis scholarship seeks to help students who need financial assistance in order to pursue their dreams of higher education.Amount$1,655Deadline:Apr 14, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is in reviewTakes minutes51Alcide 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 winners52Brinley Heckermann Empowering Spirit Scholarship
Funded byHeckermannThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Brinley Heckermann by supporting students who share her background in athletics.Amount$4,600Deadline:May 31, 2024Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners53Veterans Writing Group of San Diego Ernie Pyle Award
Funded byVeterans' Writing Group of San Diego CountyThis scholarship seeks to support military veterans who are pursuing their education and those who are active military to cover their college expenses.Amount$1,500Deadline:Sep 30, 2023Education LevelUndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners54Sewing Seeds: Lena B. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Funded byNekia DavisThis scholarship aims to support underrepresented students.Amount$2,000Deadline:Apr 12, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is in reviewTakes minutes55Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship
Funded byWalking in Authority International MinistryThis scholarship will support a student who is passionate about making a difference in their community.Amount$550Deadline:Nov 8, 2024Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner56Jackie Hudson Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLapatra Bowen-HarbisonThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Jackie Hudson by encouraging students to continue her legacy of service and helping young people achieve their goals.Amount$850Deadline:Dec 31, 2024Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner57Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKeia CarterThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Charlotte Emery by uplifting Black girls and women so they can succeed in life and flourish.Amount$1,100Deadline:Jul 1, 2022Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners58Good Vibes Only Scholarship in Memory of C. Spoon
Funded byShawn WitherspoonThis scholarship seeks to support BIPOC students so they can succeed in all of their endeavors and advocate for the importance of mental health in overcoming generational trauma.Amount$2,500Deadline:Mar 17, 2025Education LevelUndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner59Eunice Richardson Scholarship for Girls
Funded byRichardson FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Eunice Richardson by supporting young girls pursuing higher education.Amount$1,565Deadline:May 10, 2024Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners60
