[Page 2] The 205 Best Merit-Based Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 4, 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.Meritus Legacy of Service Scholar Award
Funded byMeritus Legacy of ServiceThis scholarship aims to support graduating students from service-oriented families who are pursuing higher education.Amount$40,000Deadline:Jul 8, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes31Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKnorr FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Treye Knorr by uplifting the next generation of learners so they can achieve their dreams.Amount$1,500Deadline:Jul 13, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes32Patriots Path Scholarship
Funded byNavy Yacht Club Long BeachThis scholarship aims to support JROTC and ROTC participants by making college more affordable and accessible.Amount$4,000Deadline:Jul 27, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes33ESOF Academic Scholarship
Funded byESOFThis scholarship seeks to support minority students who need monetary support to pursue higher education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).Amount$1,000Deadline:Jul 31, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes34Ultrafabrics Inc. Scholarship Award
Funded byUltrafabrics Inc.This scholarship aims to support the next generation of designers who are committed to prioritizing environmental and social sustainability.Amount$10,000Deadline:Aug 3, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes35TTOG Scholarship
Funded byGiles FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor Terryn, Teagan, and Olivia Giles by supporting students who need financial assistance in order to achieve their educational goals.Amount$2,000Deadline:Aug 5, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes36Mattie K Peterson Higher Education Scholarship
Funded byMichael PetersonThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Mattie K Peterson by supporting students who are active members of their communities.Amount$500Deadline:Aug 25, 2026Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes37Manuela 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 minutes38Eitel Scholarship
Funded byDanielle EitelThis scholarship aims to aid female students who are pursuing higher education at a Baptist college.Amount$500Deadline:Aug 29, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes39Teaching Technicians Scholarship
Funded byRyan NoyesThis scholarship seeks to support students pursuing careers in healthcare engineering or electrical engineering so they can complete their education.Amount$500Deadline:Sep 30, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes40Pierson Family Scholarship for U.S. Studies
Funded byPierson FamilyThis scholarship aims to support international students who want to pursue higher education in the United States.Amount$10,000Deadline:Jan 27, 2027Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes41Wagner and Young Scholarship Opportunity
Funded byWagner and YoungThis scholarship aims to support students who are pursuing higher education so they can overcome the challenges they have faced in life and create the futures of their dreams.Amount$500Deadline:May 13, 2027Education LevelAnyTakes minutes42Glider AI-Omni Inclusive Allies of LGBTQ+ (GOAL+) Scholarship
Funded byOmni InclusiveThis scholarship aims to support LGBTQ+ individuals who are passionate about pursuing higher education and making a positive impact on their community through their education.Amount$12,000Deadline:Sep 1, 2022Education LevelUndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
4 winners43Gender Expansive & Transgender Scholarship
Funded byOmni InclusiveThis scholarship seeks to support students who are gender minorities so they can overcome the barriers to higher education that they face.Amount$11,075Deadline:Oct 15, 2024Education LevelUndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners44Ruebenna Greenfield Flack Scholarship
Funded byEnya FlackThis scholarship will support underrepresented female minorities currently pursuing a higher education.Amount$2,300Deadline:Sep 15, 2023Education LevelUndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner45TRAM Purple Phoenix Scholarship
Funded byAnonymousThis scholarship aims to empower survivors of intimate partner violence so they can thrive and achieve their dreams.Amount$10,000Deadline:Jul 15, 2025Education LevelAnyScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners46Minority Students and Criminal Justice Reform Scholarship
Funded byConteh FamilyTo honor the legacy of Musa Conteh, this scholarship will be awarded to one Black student who is dedicated to bettering the lives of other disadvantaged people of color by changing the very system that oppresses them.Amount$800Deadline:Jun 30, 2021Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner47Stefanie Ann Cronin Make a Difference Scholarship
Funded byJaymie Scotto & Associates, LLCThis scholarship seeks to memorialize Stefanie Ann Cronin by supporting the educational endeavors of students who embody her dedication to success, community, environmental appreciation, and caring for others.Amount$3,500Deadline:Feb 14, 2022Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner48CARLOS E. REID XXV SCHOLARSHIP
Funded byReid FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor Carlos E. Reid’s legacy by supporting students with financial need who are studying the arts.Amount$2,225Deadline:Jun 19, 2022Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners49Success Beyond Borders
Funded byYouth Always WinsThis scholarship seeks to support students and help them bring their dreams to life by creatively expressing what inspires them to keep moving forward in life.Amount$1,000Deadline:Apr 15, 2025Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner50Kenyada 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 winners51Alger Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLily RannacherThis scholarship aims to support students who display the qualities of stellar work ethic, dedication to volunteerism, and eagerness to excel academically.Amount$550Deadline:Oct 1, 2025Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner52Ella Hall-Dillon Scholarship
Funded byLetta BelleThis scholarship will support high school seniors and undergraduate students who are of African descent and are first or second generation to the United States.Amount$3,470Deadline:Aug 1, 2023Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners53Lauren Czebatul Scholarship
Funded byNick SchellerThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Lauren Czebatul by supporting students looking to pursue a higher education.Amount$5,590Deadline:Aug 4, 2023Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner54Najma Sultana Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMuhammad AliThis scholarship will support high school seniors who will be pursuing a career in the medical or healthcare field.Amount$1,020Deadline:Mar 25, 2023Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner55Kirk I. Woods Memorial Scholarship
Funded byDave WoodsThis scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Kirk I. Woods by supporting students who are the first in their families to pursue post-high school education.Amount$2,000Deadline:Dec 22, 2024Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
4 winners56Veterans 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 winners57Hearts to Serve, Minds to Teach Scholarship
Funded byKatie VazquezThis scholarship aims to support and celebrate aspiring educators who see teaching for all that it is and are passionate about making a difference in students’ lives.Amount$3,000Deadline:Dec 1, 2025Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners58Walking 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 winner59Jett, Nyla, and Cadences Memorial Scholarship
Funded byTammy OwensThis scholarship aims to support young women through their college years so they can complete their degrees and become successful.Amount$1,000Deadline:Oct 8, 2024Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners60
