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Scholarships
Top merit based scholarships for you
Find scholarships for merit based that can help you pay for college.
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What are merit based scholarships?
Merit based scholarships are financial aid for college created specifically for merit based students. Merit based scholarships can help students attain higher education opportunities that otherwise may be out of reach due to financial reasons. All scholarships are free money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
Eligibility requirements for merit based scholarships
Before you apply for merit based scholarships, make sure you check the eligibility requirements. Some common eligibility requirements may include your GPA, community service, citizenship, plan to attend an accredited program, leadership potential, and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Scholarship eligibility requirements vary, so don’t assume you won’t qualify. Check them out!
Are merit based scholarships worth my time?
Some scholarships are quick and easy to apply for. Others require time and effort. Typically, fewer students apply to scholarships that require work which means you could have better odds of winning.
Pro tip: Don’t skip over scholarships for merit based with smaller award amounts ($). There’s typically less competition for them—and they add up!
How do I find merit based scholarships?
There are many resources to help you find scholarships for merit based.
Scholarship resources
- The financial aid office at a college or career school
- Organizations (such as professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Federal agencies
- Free scholarship search engine tools like Scholly Scholarships
- Local libraries, businesses, or associations
Your high school guidance office is a great place to start when looking for local scholarships. You could also try doing a search for your city’s name and “community foundation,” or the county you live in and “foundation.”
Scholly Scholarships
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Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
Merit based scholarships
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship
Due: 2/1/2025
No Essays
No min. GPA Required
$6,000
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships awards scholarships to college level students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing engineering related careers in vertical flight technology. A student does not need to be a member of The Vertical Flight Society. Technical disciplines relevant to complex aeronautics engineering or aviation systems, even if not considered vertical lift engineering, will receive equal consideration. Professor Letter of Recommendation and Narrative is required. Narrative should provide a personal statement regarding your passion for aeronautics/aeronautical engineering and it should not be a restatement of your resume or description of research. For more information, please visit the scholarship's website.
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
Due: Varies
No Essays
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$25,000
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. The American Legion's National Organization awards scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States. The curriculum of the school must be considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade 12. Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. Regulations and other guidelines for the contest can be found on the website. National Oratorical Contest deadline is dependent on each of the participating state but the contest dates will be April 22-24, 2022. All contestants and chaperones will arrive the Friday of the contest weekend. All contestants and chaperones will stay at the official contest hotel.
American Society of Naval Engineers Scholarship
Due: 2/12/2025
No min. GPA Required
$4,000
The American Society of Naval Engineers began its scholarship program in 1979 in order to promote the profession of naval engineering and to encourage college students to enter the field. Scholarships will be awarded to support an undergraduate student or one year of graduate education. Undergraduate candidates must be full-time students enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours. Graduate students must be full-time students enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours. Applicants must list the names of three persons from whom they have requested letters of reference, and indicate in the application whether letters are attached or were forwarded separately. Eligible programs of study are Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Applied Mathematics and Physics, and other relevant professions as accepted by the ASNE Scholarship Committee. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Myrtle Beinhauer Scholarship
Due: 2/15/2025
No min. GPA Required
$4,000
Myrtle Beinhauer remembered Sons of Norway youth with a generous bequest in her will to the Sons of Norway Foundation, which created this scholarship named in her honor. The Myrtle Beinhauer Scholarship may be awarded to current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of a current member with membership in effect at least one calendar year prior to application. This scholarship will be awarded for one year and may be used in any field of study. Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant's character and abilities must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Sons of Norway Foundation for more information.
Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship
Due: 4/30/2025
No min. GPA Required
$2,000
The Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program was established to support and assist spouses, children, and grandchildren of blind and low vision veterans, and those of active-duty blind and low vision service members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The blind or low vision veteran family member is not required to be a BVA member for the spouse, child, or grandchild to receive a scholarship. Additionally, to be eligible for one of the scholarships, an applicant must have been accepted for admission, or already be enrolled, as a student in an accredited institution of higher education, or business, secretarial, or vocational training school. Successful applicants for the scholarships must have demonstrated excellence in their past academic work and promising potential for achievement in higher education pursuits. The Gruber scholarships for veterans' dependents are for one year only but recipients can re-apply and receive the award up to four times during their academic careers. Three letters of reference must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Blinded Veterans Association for more information.
Executive Women International Scholarship Program
Due: Varies
No Essays
No Recommendations Required
Amount Varies
The EWISP Scholarship is a non-discriminatory, educational scholarship program for the benefit of traditional students pursuing an associates, bachelor's or master's degree, or certification program in a specific career path. Applicants must be high school seniors enrolled in a public, private, charter or parochial school located within the boundaries of a participating EWI Chapter or persons who are homeschooled. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of a participating Chapter.
Dairy Shrine Student Recognition Award for Seniors
Due: 4/15/2025
No min. GPA Required
$2,000
The Dairy Shrine Student Recognition Award for Seniors recognizes graduating four-year college seniors planning a career related to dairy (production agriculture, manufacturing, marketing, agricultural law, business, communications, veterinary medicine, research and environmental sciences) who have demonstrated leadership skills, academic ability, and interest in dairy cattle. Only two applicants per college or university are accepted for this contest in any given year. The total number of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applicants. Applicants must send one letter of recommendation from the department chair or a faculty member who is familiar with the applicant's activities and academic achievements. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Dairy Shrine for more information.
Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History S
Due: 1/31/2025
No min. GPA Required
$2,000
The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school students who will pursue a degree with a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History and American Government. This award is intended to promote the study of our country's history among our finest students. U.S. Citizens residing abroad may apply through a Units Overseas Chapter. At least two, but not more than four recommendations must be submitted. Recommendations should convey the applicant's ability, work habits, integrity, character, potential, and volunteer activities. A copy of your proof of United States citizenship is also required: birth certificate, naturalization papers, or information page of United States Passport must be included. If using a passport as proof of citizenship, cover your photograph. Submitting an expired passport or picture of yourself will result in your application being disqualified. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Northeastern Loggers' Association Scholarships
Due: 3/31/2025
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
$1,000
NELA offers a competitive scholarship program for the immediate families of Individual Members, and the employees and immediate families of Industrial and Associate Members. Written, captioned photo, audio, or video essay formats are allowed to present the applicant's view on "What the Public Needs to Know About the Forest Products Industry."
What types of scholarships are available for students?
Need-based scholarships
These are scholarships for students who have demonstrated a financial need. There’s no universal number or set income level that tells you if you qualify. How each scholarship defines what financial need means varies. The federal government as well as specific organizations, corporations, and colleges/universities/schools offer need-based scholarships.
Merit scholarships
Merit scholarships are for students who have shown high academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievement over their high school careers. Not all schools/colleges offer merit-aid—highly selective schools typically don’t. The process for applying for merit scholarships varies. For merit scholarships offered through colleges and universities, you generally don’t have to do anything other than complete the application to the school itself. For some schools, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to be eligible.
Career-specific grants or scholarships
These are awarded to students who know they want a career in a specific industry. Maybe they know they want to be a teacher, a nurse, or an engineer. To be eligible for grants, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). To find career-specific scholarships, try searching for your major and “association.”
Community or nonprofit scholarships
Nonprofit and community organizations often receive funding from donors to create scholarship programs for students who need them.
Tips for successful scholarship applications
- Pull together everything you need for the application including transcripts, so you can submit a complete scholarship application.
- You may need a recommendation letter or letters for a scholarship. Ask a teacher, employer, or someone else who knows you to write one for you—and be sure to give them enough time to do it.
- If you’re writing a scholarship essay, follow the prompt, answer the essay question completely, and write from your experience. A few well-written essays that you can reuse for different scholarship applications can really pay off.
- Highlight your strengths and achievements in your application.
- Talk about your financial need and what you would use the scholarship money for if you won. How would it help?
- Have to interview for a scholarship? Dress to impress in a professional outfit. And do your research! Look into how/why the scholarship was created. Try to bring up why it’s meaningful to you. Also, don’t forget to send a thank-you note afterwards.
- Keep track of all the deadlines for the scholarships you’re applying to. If you miss one, they may not extend the due date.
- Apply for scholarships year after year, all through college. As you continue your studies, gain more experience, and try new extracurricular activities in college, you might be eligible for more scholarships you weren’t originally qualified for.
Here are more tips that can help you understand all there is to know about scholarships and up your chances of winning.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for merit based scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
Need more money for college?
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More resources to explore
Tips for writing scholarship essays
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
Explore our scholarship resources, articles, and guide to get all the tips and tricks to help pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
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