Merit Scholarships

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What is a Merit Scholarship?

Merit scholarships are a type of gift aid that help pay for college by rewarding talent. Most merit based scholarships go to students who stand out with strong academics.

Recipients of a merit scholarship may be high academic achievers or have strong athletic, artistic or other skills and values. Eligible students must also show a desire to serve the community or leadership skills.

Some merit scholarships also may look at financial need. But most of the time accomplishments and academic excellence are the primary factors to win a merit scholarship.

How Do You Get a Merit Scholarship?

Merit awards are different from needs based scholarships. A need-based scholarship uses family income to make decisions. Instead, the merit scholarship sponsors usually start out with a goal or reason why they offer it. This might be to develop their industry with smart minds or invest in the future of their community and college.

There are various criteria to qualify for a merit scholarship. Sometimes you need to be a member of a specific association or enrolled in the university. Other scholarship providers may specifically offer it to minority students, female students or for certain majors like STEM.

Either way, you’ll need to see if you qualify. One example is the Women Techmakers Scholarship. It is an academic merit scholarship. In order to be eligible, eligible students must show strong academic performance, leadership, and impact on the community of women in tech. You may fit the bill as an upstanding male student, but this one is for girls.

What is Merit?

That stated, what ‘merit’ means generally depends on the organization granting the scholarship. Some merit scholarships look at academic performance, test scores, and your recommendations. Others may only look at your SAT/ACT test scores.

Still others focus on your dedication to and performance in a specific field of study. This can be anything from music to math and others.

Many private companies, groups and nonprofits fund merit scholarships. There are no federal funds for merit-based scholarships.

Some merit scholarship providers are from local communities such as churches and cultural groups. Companies such as Google, Gates Foundation or Coca Cola also offer merit scholarships.

Most colleges also award merit scholarships. Often alumni endow funds to use for these awards. Merit based awards may thus carry the name of a person so that their legacy continues. You’ll also find charitable foundations offering merit aid which sometimes look at financial need.

What GPA do You Need to Get a Merit Scholarship?

An academic merit scholarship often requires a strong GPA. But the actual grade point average you need to get a merit scholarship varies.

For instance, you need a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to qualify for the SHRM Foundation’s Graduate Scholarships. This awards $5,000 to a graduate student pursuing an HR degree related program.

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship awards $30,000 to one national first place winner. Most high school students as well as military students may apply.

How Much is a Merit Scholarship?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks the aid schools award to undergraduates. According to the NCES study, they looked at the amount of money high-merit students received. It found that those in selective schools got about 58% of their tuition. Those in less selective schools received about 46% of their tuition amounts.

What Qualifies You to be a National Merit Scholar?

National Merit Scholars have the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores. About 1.6 million enter to compete. But about 50,000 qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program.

Each September, the sponsor colleges notify the recipients. They let them know if they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist. Then about 15,000 semifinalists move to finalist standing.

About 7,600 winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) may be notified. Part of the decision making process looks at students’ abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

How Do You Get the Most Money for Merit Scholarships?

Many scholarship providers factor in both need and merit. There are at least six things that may help you get the most merit aid for college.

  1. Don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for federal aid too. This might be useful if the amount of your merit scholarship is not enough to pay tuition, fees, housing etc.
  2. Apply to schools where your grades put you ahead. Many college admissions look at the entire pool of applicants. You may be ahead of the student body in some colleges and not in others.
  3. Check whether the merit scholarship is renewable. If so, abiding by the terms may help pay your entire four years at college.
  4. Make sure you understand the net cost of attending each school you apply to. Then assess the amount of merit aid you can get and see what makes the most sense to you.
  5. Figure out where your talents lie and use them when you search for scholarships. It doesn’t have to be high marks. The Doodle for Google Scholarship rewards creativity.
  6. When applying to a college or university, look at their financial aid section and scan for merit scholarships to see if you qualify.

List of Merit Scholarships

Check out our list of merit scholarships below.

Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship

At Kanoski Bresney, we have over 40 years of experience representing injury victims throughout central Illinois, and we have obtained more than $400 million for our clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Write a 1,000-word essay about your experiences with distracted driving and your ideas for prevention and awareness among young drivers. Submit the essay along with an academic transcript, contact information, and a professional headshot using the form on our scholarship page.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 5

Deadline

Deadline: May 29, 2024

The Bayar Fellowship

The Bayar Fellowship, established in 2020, is dedicated to finding, developing, and supporting the next generation of leaders. We aim to empower high school students from marginalized communities and low income backgrounds by providing them with the fundamental tools necessary to become leaders in their communities.
Award Amount

Total: $8000

Awards: 8

Deadline

Deadline: May 31, 2024

The Behan Law Group Military Veteran Scholarship

The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. provides strong DUI and criminal defense representation. Our firm brings together knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced attorneys and other legal professionals to successfully serve our clients. Student must submit an essay of 500 to 1000 words on the following prompt: How has your experience as a Veteran or the child of a Veteran influenced your academic and career goals? How do you plan to use your education to make a positive impact in your community?” With the essay, student will also need to submit their most recent academic transcript, proof of military service for themselves or parent, a professional headshot, and contact information (name, address, phone number, email address).
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 10, 2024

Schwartz Injury Law Perseverance Scholarship

Schwartz Injury Law is a personal injury firm located in Orland Park, Illinois serving individuals and families who have been injured in serious and negligent accidents. Students must submit their contact information, proof of enrollment, and a professional headshot. Additionally, an application must include an original essay of 500-1000 words addressing the provided essay prompt.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 10, 2024

Justice in Family Law Scholarship

At The Law Office of George J. Skuros, we have over 30 years of legal experience, and we have dedicated our practice to serving the needs of families in Chicago, Cook County, and the surrounding areas. Using the form on our scholarship page, submit your essay, your current academic transcript, a professional headshot of yourself, and contact information.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 12, 2024

Satrix Saves The Seas Scholarship

The Satrix Saves The Seas Scholarship is a prestigious award aimed at supporting and encouraging students who are passionate about the field of life sciences and its applications to water conservation. This scholarship recognizes water’s critical role in sustaining life and ecosystems and seeks to foster innovative solutions and advancements in this area. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited universities or colleges, majoring in any discipline within the life sciences, including but not limited to biology, ecology, environmental science, biochemistry, and hydrology. Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record, a genuine interest in water conservation, and a commitment to positively impacting this crucial field. Successful applicants will receive $250 in financial support to further their education and gain recognition for their dedication to water conservation. The scholarship award can be used to cover tuition fees, textbooks, research expenses, or any other educational costs.
Award Amount

Total: $250

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 15, 2024

Ramage Law Group Adopted Child Scholarship

At The Ramage Law Group, we work with families every day to address legal issues. We understand that families come in all shapes and sizes, and we know the importance of establishing strong family relationships. Adoption is one of the areas of family law that means the most to us. As the mother to two adopted daughters, Attorney Sharon Ramage understands the challenges that parents and children face in these situations, as well as the joys that come with building family bonds that will stand the test of time. We know that parents who adopt children make many sacrifices, and they want to make sure their children will have the tools they need to succeed in life. In recognition of this, we have established a scholarship program that provides assistance to children who have been adopted. Each semester, we award a scholarship of $1,000 to a student who is pursuing a college education, and the funds may be used to help cover tuition, room and board, or other expenses, such as books and supplies.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 26, 2024

The Keith M. Fletcher Excellence in Ethics Scholarship Contest

For law students and prospective law students, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. is excited to offer our annual Excellence in Ethics Scholarship. The first-place scholarship will be awarded to one recipient in the amount of $1,000.00. The second-place winner will be awarded a $500.00 scholarship as well.
Award Amount

Total: $1500

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: July 01, 2024

Clark Law Group Scholarship

We work with divorcing or unmarried parents to resolve disputes related to the custody of their children. We can also help address other family-related issues, such as creating prenuptial agreements, establishing legal paternity, or applying for protective orders in situations involving domestic violence. Applicants who would like to apply for our scholarship must submit proof of enrollment for the Fall 2023 semester, proof of required GPA, proof of military service by a student’s parent, professional headshot, and contact information. We also ask all applicants to submit an essay (500-1000 words) that answers the following prompt: How do you intend to serve the public with your higher education and future career?
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: July 02, 2024

$2,000 Minecraft Scholarship

All of us here at Apex Hosting believe that education is a fundamental part of living a full and joyful life. In the past, we have partnered with educational institutions and libraries as part of our commitment to education in the classroom and the power of Minecraft through our minecraft server hosting service. This typically has been in the form of sponsored get togethers, class projects, and similar programs and colleges, high schools, middle schools and libraries.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: July 31, 2024