Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: February 16, 2025

Merit Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • There are many merit scholarships available from various sources, including colleges and universities, private foundations, corporations, and non-profit organizations.
  • Some scholarships, such as the Marshall Scholarship or the Rhodes Scholarship, are highly competitive and prestigious, offering opportunities for study at renowned institutions.
  • Merit Scholarships support students in various academic disciplines, including STEM, humanities, arts, business, and social sciences.

One of the common myths about scholarships is that you need to have demonstrated financial need to win awards. But that’s simply not true.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Merit Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • Claire M. LaPlante Engineering Scholarship

  • Amount$50,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 21, 2025

The Claire M. LaPlante Engineering Scholarship is an award of $50,000 offered to a West Virginia resident completing high school entirely in West Virginia and attending the West Virginia University's Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering. Scholarship Details Scholarship award options: $10,000 per year for five years (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering dual major) or $12,500 per year

  • 2

  • Tri Kappa Beryl Showers Holland Fellowship

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

The Tri Kappa Beryl Showers Holland Fellowship supports seniors at Indiana University who plan to continue their education through graduate study. This fellowship recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and financial need, providing valuable support for students entering full-time graduate programs in Fall 2024. Scholarship Details Available to seniors at Indiana University’s Bloomington

  • 3

  • Gerber Foundation Medallion Scholarship

  • Amount$11,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

The Gerber Foundation Medallion Scholarship is available to students graduating from select school districts in Newaygo County, Michigan. School districts include Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo and White Cloud. GPA must be 3.85 or higher. Home schooled students within these districts are eligible. Selection is made based on overall academic achievements, recommendations, leadership qualities,

  • 4

  • Tau Beta Pi/SAE Engineering Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

The purpose of the Tau Beta Pi is to recognize engineering students of superior scholarship and exemplary character and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN, the Association's largest national philanthropy is its fellowship program, which has provided $7,809,000 in advanced-study grants to 1,706 students, and the scholarship program that

  • 5

  • Mount Mercy University Holland Scholarship

  • Amount$8,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

Mount Mercy College offers the Sister Mary Ildephonse Holland Scholarship to incoming freshmen. Eligible applicants must have an ACT of 30 or an SAT of 1360, a 4.0 GPA, evidence of strong community service and extra-curricular activities, and must live on campus. The student must maintain a minimum cumulative Mount Mercy grade point of 3.00 at the end of each year. The number of awards will

  • 6

  • Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

The Engebretson Foundation Scholarship is awarded yearly to a US graduating high school senior who demonstrates not only financial need but also impressive academic performance and leadership ability. Applicants must have an ACT of 28 or an SAT of 1240, and 3.75 GPA or above and/or top 5% of graduating class. Applicants must plan to attend a four-year college and demonstrate financial need.

  • 7

  • University of Texas Presidential Scholarship

  • Amount$40,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

Presidential Scholars are selected from incoming freshmen with demonstrated outstanding academic performance. A UTA Presidential Scholar will receive a $10,000 award annually; up to $40,000 over four years of eligibility. Scholarship Details Awards up to $40,000 over four years Includes non-resident waiver for out-of-state students Eligibility for renewal requires students to maintain

  • 8

  • JMU Second Century STEM Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

The James Madison University Second Century Scholarship provides financial support to outstanding first-year students entering designated STEM majors. This highly competitive four-year scholarship covers 100% of in-state tuition and comprehensive fees, reflecting JMU’s commitment to fostering academic excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Scholarship

  • 9

  • The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 14, 2025

The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation (the “Foundation”) anticipates awarding approximately $100,000 in scholarships. The Foundation intends to set the number of actual scholarships and the amount of an individual scholarship based on a consideration of certain factors, including without limitation, the financial resources and the qualifications of the scholarship recipients. This

  • 10

  • Dale E. Siefkes Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2025

To apply for the Dale E. Siefkes Memorial Scholarship, applicants must be a junior or senior level college student during the upcoming academic year at a Nebraska college pursuing a career in Education. Preference will be given to students attending smaller Nebraska 4-year colleges. The applicant must have a scholastic equivalency of 3.8 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate financial need.

  • 11

  • SJCF San Joaquin Society for Human Resource Management Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2025

The San Joaquin Society for Human Resource Management Scholarship was established to support students who have an interest in becoming Human Resource professionals. Should you have questions about scholarships offered through the Community Foundation of San Joaquin, please contact us via phone or email. Scholarship Details Number of Awards: Three scholarships of $2,000 each One-Time

  • 12

  • FIU Undergraduate Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship

  • Amount$22,062
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2025

The Undergraduate Admissions Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship is open to qualified incoming U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international Transfer students only. To qualify for academic merit scholarship consideration, students must be admitted to FIU prior to the following Fall Semester. Applicants must have at least 60 transferable credit hours or an AA degree. To enter

  • 13

  • CIAM Academic Excellence Scholarship

  • Amount$12,000
  • DeadlineApril 4, 2025

CIAM Merit and Achievement Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic merit, professional experience, or individual achievements. These scholarships are funded through the generous support of CIAM's Board Members, Mr. and Mrs. Shao and are for tuition and fees only. Some scholarships are available regardless of financial need. Scholarship Details Awarded based on academic merit

  • 14

  • ACF Woodcock Family Education Scholarship

  • Amount$40,000
  • DeadlineApril 4, 2025

The ACF Woodcock Family Education Scholarship Program was established in 1993 by Albuquerque businessman C.E. (Woody) Woodcock and his wife, Dixie, to support students of exceptional promise in the fields of science and math. This is intended for students with strong math and/or science credentials. Scholarships will be awarded to Albuquerque metro area high school graduating seniors (includes

  • 15

  • The Mikkelson Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineApril 11, 2025

Each year, The Mikkelson Foundation Scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school graduates from Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho who have been accepted to an accredited college or university. This scholarship recognizes students who excel in mathematics and science and are pursuing majors in engineering, physical or biological sciences, or mathematics. Scholarship Details

  • 16

  • University of Lynchburg Hopwood Scholarship

  • Amount$96,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The University of Lynchburg offers a wide range of scholarships and awards. When you are admitted, you are automatically considered for these academic scholarships and awards. Merit scholarships for the upcoming school year range from in amounts annually and are renewable with continued full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. You are automatically considered for academic

  • 17

  • University of Texas- San Antonio Distinguished Transfer Scholarship

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The Financial Aid and Scholarships office administers a variety of scholarships funded by the university and donors who support UTSA. One of the best ways to cover tuition costs is to apply for scholarships—they provide financial aid funds that you don’t have to pay back. Although some scholarships are awarded automatically, most require an application separate from completing your FAFSA. One

  • 18

  • Cameron Impact Scholarship

  • Amount$200,000
  • DeadlineMay 21, 2025

There are countless ways to make a positive impact in many professional careers. The Cameron Impact Scholar has both the ability and the intent to make real, tangible contributions in their lifelong dedication to the greater good. The Foundation will allocate approximately a quarter of the scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in education, non-profits, government, and/or military and have

  • 19

  • The CAPTRUST Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMay 31, 2025

We believe that empowering and preparing the next generation of professionals is critical for the economic vitality of our communities. We will select five students across the country to receive $2,000 each, every Fall and Spring semester. At CAPTRUST, we believe it is essential to support our local communities and prepare developing professionals for success. In order to be considered for our

  • 20

  • Daniel G Calugar Foundation Merit Scholarship Program

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2025

The Daniel G. Calugar Foundation offers the Academic Achievement Scholarship to ten exceptional freshmen entering college in the coming fall. Each recipient will receive $10,000 to be applied towards college tuition. This scholarship seeks to honor students who demonstrate academic excellence, strong motivation, and clear career objectives, along with a deep understanding of current economic

  • 21

  • Marshall Scholarship

  • Amount$85,000
  • DeadlineSeptember 24, 2025

The Marshall Scholarship is intended for candidates who have the potential to excel as scholars, as leaders and as contributors to improved UK-US understanding. In doing so, we recognise the value of diversity among applicants and promote equality of opportunity. The selection criteria are divided into three equally weighted categories: Academic Merit; Leadership Potential; and Ambassadorial

  • 22

  • Rhodes Scholarship

  • Amount$250,000
  • DeadlineOctober 2, 2025

The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Applicants from more than 320 American colleges and universities have been selected as Rhodes

  • 23

  • UIC Chancellor's Fellows

  • Amount$30,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2025

A scholarship is gift assistance that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded based on a student's academic achievement, athletic ability, field of study, special talents, etc. Students must report outside scholarships so SFAS can recalculate aid eligibility. If students have remaining unmet need or have not exceeded their cost of attendance (COA), other awards will not be

  • 24

  • Indiana University Herbert Presidential Scholarship

  • Amount$46,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2025

The Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholars Program (HPS) gives top-achieving high school graduates in Indiana a head start on reaching their college goals with a four-year renewable scholarship to attend IU Bloomington, IU Indianapolis, or any regional campus. Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the program welcomes a minimum of 30 incoming Indiana University freshmen every year. Scholarship

  • 25

  • North Carolina State University Park Scholarships

  • Amount$229,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2025

An NC State education is the key to whatever door you want to open. We offer more than 100 undergraduate majors and more than 200 master’s and doctoral programs. Our students graduate ready for successful careers and meaningful lives. Our Pack is strong, and we’re always looking for more thinkers and doers from all over the world to help us get even stronger. Our Pack is made up of innovative,

If you have solid grades or other accomplishments, you can qualify for merit scholarships. However, not all merit scholarships are created equal. Here’s everything you should know about merit scholarships - and how to win them.

What is a merit scholarship?

The biggest distinguishing factor in a merit scholarship is that they usually don't consider financial need. Merit scholarships are given to students based on some kind of accomplishment, whether it’s academic, artistic, athletic or something else. Merit scholarships care more about what you’ve done than other factors.

Some merit scholarships are open to all kinds of students, like the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

Here's how to qualify:

Merit scholarships are available for both current high school and college students. Even community college and graduate school students can qualify for merit scholarships. In fact, it’s never too early or too late to look for a merit scholarship.

Merit scholarships typically require a transcript, a letter of recommendation (or several) and an essay. If you’re applying for an artistic merit scholarship, you may also be required to submit your portfolio or examples of your work.

While most merit scholarships only require a 3.0 GPA, others, like the Cameron Impact Scholarship, have higher standards.

Here's how to qualify:

Types of merit scholarship

Academic

An academic merit scholarship is the most popular kind. This scholarship will mostly look at your grades, but may also consider test scores, community service and other extracurriculars.

Athletic

You can find athletic scholarships outside of your school. Many athletic scholarships are only given to athletes in certain sports or from specific regions or states, like the Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship. One female and one male winner will be chosen.

Here's how to qualify:

Artistic

One of the most well-known artistic merit scholarships is the Stuck at Prom scholarship. The winner for the dress and tux category will each receive a $15,000 award. Eight runners-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Here's how to qualify:

Diversity-based merit scholarship

Some merit scholarships are focused on students from a particular racial or ethnic background. Others may require that you be part of the LGQBT community, be adopted or come from a foster background, and more.

Where to find merit scholarships

Your school will often put you in the running for merit scholarships when you apply. However, if you’re already enrolled, you may want to speak with your academic advisor or financial aid department about maximizing your scholarship opportunities. Many students don’t know that there are tons of scholarships for upperclassmen, even seniors.

To simplify the scholarship search, you can also create a profile on Scholarships.com. Answering every question and inputting all your information will generate a list of potential scholarships.

Even merit scholarships may require that you submit the FAFSA, even if there’s no need-based component. That's because they want to make sure that you’ve maximized all your scholarship opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Merit Scholarships

Many students think that the only way to get a merit scholarship is to have a 4.0 GPA or a perfect SAT or ACT score. But that's not true. Scholarship organizations aren’t looking for the perfect cookie-cutter student. They want someone who has real passions and interests.

To qualify for a merit scholarship, you usually only need a 3.0 GPA. And many scholarships don’t even require a minimum SAT or ACT score.

The best way to win a merit scholarship is to write a compelling essay and look for a scholarship that has narrow eligibility requirements.

Your essay may be the perfect place to explain any extenuating circumstances that affected your grades. For example, if you had to take care of your ailing grandmother, mention that in your essay. The scholarship committee may be willing to overlook poor grades if you can show a reason why.

Also, know that good grades alone aren’t enough. You still need to write a captivating essay that shows exactly who you are. Also, if you have good grades but no extracurricular activities, you may not win many scholarships.

Being a well-rounded student who is capable of expressing themselves is more important than being a perfect student.

Merit scholarships may be given on a one-off basis or may be renewable for all four years. The exact rules depend on the particular scholarship.

If a scholarship is eligible for renewal, you may have to maintain a certain GPA or be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). This often means taking enough classes toward a major to ensure you graduate on time.

While all merit scholarships are different, one thing they usually have in common is that they require applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

If you're an international student trying to find merit scholarships, you should start with schools that offer tuition waivers. A tuition waiver gives you the same tuition rate as an in-state student, often saving you tens of thousands of dollars over a four-year degree.

Students with DACA status may also find it difficult to qualify for scholarships. However, there are still many options available through the Scholarships.com portal. You can also look for awards through the schools you’re applying to. Some states, like California, also have special grants for students with DACA status.