[Page 5] The 240 Best Merit-Based Scholarships in May 2026
Updated: May 11, 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.Kenyada 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:Aug 10, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes121Otto Bear Memorial Scholarship
Funded byDave Schmotzer and Lynette FrickeThis scholarship seeks to pay forward the love, kindness, and joy that Otto brought to the world by supporting young women pursuing STEM.Amount$20,000Deadline:Aug 12, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes122Young Achievers For Higher Education
Funded byDouglas G. ChestangThis scholarship seeks to support students who are goal-oriented and devoted to achieving their dreams through higher education.Amount$1,500Deadline:Aug 12, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes123Mattie 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 minutes124Manuela 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 minutes125Mighty 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 minutes126Eitel 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 minutes127Teaching 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 minutes128RodentPro.com® Animal Advocate Scholarship
Funded byRodent ProThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about pursuing a career in a wildlife-focused field of study.Amount$1,000Deadline:Oct 5, 2026Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateTakes minutes129Kayla 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$2,000Deadline:Nov 2, 2026Education LevelAnyTakes minutes130Hines 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 minutes131Faatuai and Fatilua Memorial Scholarship
Funded byFatilua FamilyThis scholarship will support a Pacific Islander college student.Amount$1,000Deadline:Nov 25, 2026Education LevelUndergraduate, GraduateTakes minutes132David G. Sutton Memorial Scholarship
Funded byStacy MenschThis scholarship aims to honor the life of David G. Sutton by supporting athletes who are pursuing higher education.Amount$500Deadline:Nov 30, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes133Equan Bedenfield Legacy Scholarship
Funded byErnest, Bolin, Turner, and Bedenfield FamilyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life and lasting impact of Equan Bedenfield by supporting students who share her ambition.Amount$1,000Deadline:Dec 16, 2026Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes134Pierson 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 minutes135Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship
Funded byDerek JindraThis scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Coach Ray by supporting deserving athletes who excel in the classroom and in athletics.Amount$500Deadline:Mar 9, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes136William T. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMeaghan SullivanThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of William T. Sullivan by supporting a student who embodies his spirit of community involvement.Amount$1,250Deadline:Mar 13, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes137Scarlet Croft Memorial Scholarship
Funded byCroft FamilyThis 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$500Deadline:Mar 15, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes138Harold S. Vincent Alumni Association Scholarship
Funded byHarold S.Vincent Alumni AssociationThis scholarship aims to support high school seniors by helping them manage the significant expenses associated with higher education.Amount$500Deadline:Mar 30, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes139Walter and Linnie Francis Memorial Scholarship
Funded byFrancis FamilyThis scholarship aims to honor the lives of Walter and Linnie Francis by supporting students who are preparing to pursue higher education.Amount$1,000Deadline:Apr 7, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes140Jamie Anderson Scholarship
Funded byGwendolyn JohnsonThe Jamie Anderson Scholarship aims to support and encourage young individuals who, like Jamie, have a desire to pursue a career in social work despite facing difficult circumstances.Amount$1,000Deadline:Apr 14, 2027Education LevelHigh SchoolTakes minutes141Minority Women in LAS Scholarship
Funded byFriends of AmabelThis scholarship seeks to honor Amabel by supporting students from immigrant backgrounds who have conquered challenges to get to where they are today.Amount$700Deadline:Jun 24, 2027Education LevelUndergraduateTakes minutes142Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship
Funded bySkin GripThis scholarship will support students with diabetes as they continue to persevere and strive for their dreams.Amount$24,315Deadline:Feb 4, 2026Education LevelAnyScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
24 winners143Jeanie A. Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKatie BuckentineThis scholarship will support an undergraduate student pursuing a career in healthcare or agriculture.Amount$1,500Deadline:Dec 8, 2023Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
2 winners144Glider 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 winners145Moriah Janae Dance Grant
Funded byKendra RoysterThis grant aims to help one high school dancer continue to practice their art and follow their passion for dance.Amount$1,780Deadline:Jul 27, 2022Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
1 winner146Young Women in STEM Scholarship
Funded byStephanie HagopianThis scholarship will support three female, low-income high school seniors or undergraduate students majoring in STEM.Amount$15,000Deadline:Jun 10, 2025Education LevelHigh School, UndergraduateScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners147Marcus Stroman Scholarship
Funded byMarcus Stroman's HDMH FoundationThe Marcus Stroman Scholarship seeks to support ambitious students from Pasadena and Altadena, CA who are preparing to graduate from high school and have been accepted to the college of their dreams.Amount$75,000Deadline:Jun 25, 2025Education LevelHigh SchoolScholarship is awarded to Takes minutes
3 winners148Gender 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 winners149Lemon-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 winners150
