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[Page 3] The 240 Best Merit-Based Scholarships in September 2026

Updated: September 14, 2026

Written by:Elise
4.9/5 by 24,451 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.

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  1. Black Girls Go Global S.T.E.A.M. Scholarship

    Funded by
    Black Girls Go Global
    This scholarship seeks to support and uplift Black girls who demonstrate academic promise, leadership potential, and financial need as they pursue education and career pathways in S.T.E.A.M.
    Amount
    $5,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 10, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    61
  2. Deraleau Family Multidisciplinary Scholarship

    Funded by
    Deraleau Family
    This scholarship supports undergraduate students majoring in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies who hold at least a 3.0 GPA, encouraging them to pursue their diverse interests while serving their communities.
    Amount
    $5,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 13, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    62
  3. Vernon Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Good Trouble Foundation
    This scholarship supports undergraduate golfers with a 2.5+ GPA at select universities.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 14, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    63
  4. Lavender Ribbon Cancer Scholarship

    Funded by
    Venne Zimmer Family
    This scholarship supports Maryland and Virginia undergraduates with at least a 3.2 GPA who have lost a parent, guardian, or caregiver to cancer and are pursuing a service-oriented career.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 14, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    64
  5. Equan Bedenfield Legacy Scholarship

    Funded by
    Ernest, Bolin, Turner, and Bedenfield Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life and lasting impact of Equan Bedenfield by supporting students who share her ambition.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 16, 2026
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    65
  6. Dr. Shuqiao Yao Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Shuqiao Excellence Award
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Dr. Shuqiao by supporting students who are pursuing their ambitions in psychology and psychiatry.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 19, 2026
    Education Level
    Graduate
    Takes minutes
    66
  7. Bre Hoy Memorial Softball Scholarship

    Funded by
    Rachel Vogt Vogt
    This scholarship honors the memory of Bre Hoy by supporting high school seniors and undergraduate students with a 3.2+ GPA who play softball.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 19, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    67
  8. LegalMatch.com's Legal Futures Initiative Scholarship

    Funded by
    LegalMatch.com
    This scholarship supports undergraduate juniors and seniors at four-year colleges with a minimum 3.75 GPA who plan to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal field.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 30, 2026
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    68
  9. John Dowling Odom Welding Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lisa Vaughan
    This scholarship will support a student who is pursuing a career in welding.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Dec 31, 2026
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    69
  10. Brian Chellios Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Stacie Streicher
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Brian Chellios by supporting the next generation of brave fire service workers.
    Amount
    $2,000
    Deadline:
    Jan 1, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    70
  11. Pierson Family Scholarship for U.S. Studies

    Funded by
    Pierson Family
    This scholarship aims to support international students who want to pursue higher education in the United States.
    Amount
    $10,000
    Deadline:
    Jan 27, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    71
  12. Robert N. Highfield Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Robert Highfield Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Robert N. Highfield by providing financial support to deserving students pursuing post-secondary education, whether their goals lead them to a university degree or vocational training.
    Amount
    $3,000
    Deadline:
    Feb 14, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    72
  13. Goellner Public Education Scholarship

    Funded by
    Goellner Family
    This scholarship seeks to support BIPOC high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing careers in public education with preference given to first-generation college students and male applicants.
    Amount
    $4,000
    Deadline:
    Feb 26, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    73
  14. Doan Foundation Arts Scholarship

    Funded by
    Doan Incorporated (Doan Foundation)
    This scholarship supports low-income California high school seniors with a 2.5+ GPA who are pursuing careers in the arts, music, design, or performing arts.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Feb 28, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    74
  15. Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Matthew E. Minor Awareness Foundation
    This scholarship aims to encourage the next generation to combat bullying and to protect children and teens on the internet.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Feb 28, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    75
  16. Shaunterrio Hudson Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Backpack Payment Technologies, Inc.
    This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Shaunterrio Hudson by supporting underserved populations who share his passion for medicine.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Feb 28, 2027
    Education Level
    Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    76
  17. Schell Opportunity Scholarship

    Funded by
    The Schell Family
    This scholarship supports high-achieving, financially limited high school seniors at Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Washington.
    Amount
    $10,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 3, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    77
  18. J.Terry Tindall Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Tindall
    This scholarship will honor an exceptional man's legacy by assisting a student who exhibits similar strengths and resilience.
    Amount
    $3,500
    Deadline:
    Mar 4, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    78
  19. Go Blue Crew Scholarship

    Funded by
    Brian Thelen
    This scholarship will support a high school student at Hudson High School, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central High School, or South Lyon High School.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 4, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    79
  20. Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship

    Funded by
    Derek Jindra
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Coach Ray by supporting deserving athletes who excel in the classroom and in athletics.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    Mar 9, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    80
  21. Stitt Family Aeronautics & Aerospace Scholarship

    Funded by
    Stitt
    This scholarship supports determined students who want to be at the forefront of aeronautics or aerospace and need additional financial assistance to achieve their goals.
    Amount
    $30,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 10, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    81
  22. William T. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Meaghan Sullivan
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of William T. Sullivan by supporting a student who embodies his spirit of community involvement.
    Amount
    $1,250
    Deadline:
    Mar 13, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    82
  23. Alexander de Guia Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Family of Alexander De Guia
    This scholarship seeks to support students from immigrant backgrounds who are leaders in their communities.
    Amount
    $5,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 14, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    83
  24. Joanette Coogan Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Coogan Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the life and memory of Joanette Coogan by supporting students who are graduating Hayward High in Wisconsin.
    Amount
    $5,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 14, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    84
  25. Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship

    Funded by
    Ginger Zappa
    This scholarship supports high school seniors, undergraduates, or trade school students with a 3.0+ GPA who were raised in a single-parent or blended-family home.
    Amount
    $4,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 14, 2027
    Education Level
    High School, Undergraduate
    Takes minutes
    85
  26. Scarlet Croft Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Croft Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Scarlet Croft by supporting students who are preparing to graduate from high school and pursue their college goals.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    Mar 15, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    86
  27. Denney Family Scholarship

    Funded by
    Howard Denney
    This scholarship aims to support high school seniors from Baltimore County, Maryland with 3.5 GPA who is a first-generation college student studying education and a community college.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 20, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    87
  28. H. Thomas Pittman STEM Scholarship

    Funded by
    H. Thomas Pittman
    This scholarship aims to uplift young Black men as they pursue higher education and forge their path in STEM.
    Amount
    $1,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 29, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    88
  29. Harold S. Vincent Alumni Association Scholarship

    Funded by
    Harold S.Vincent Alumni Association
    This scholarship aims to support high school seniors by helping them manage the significant expenses associated with higher education.
    Amount
    $500
    Deadline:
    Mar 30, 2027
    Education Level
    High School
    Takes minutes
    89
  30. Redefining Victory Scholarship

    Funded by
    Chris & Mary Carnduff
    By embracing diverse avenues for personal growth, anyone can conquer the challenges of life and attain the pinnacle of success.
    Amount
    $20,000
    Deadline:
    Mar 30, 2027
    Education Level
    Any
    Takes minutes
    90