25 Amazing Merit-Based Scholarships for 2024
Are you someone who puts your all into your academics or hobbies? Your passion has probably helped you achieve an impressive resume that you can showcase in your scholarship applications. Whether you excel at the arts, athletics, or academics, merit-based scholarships award students like you for your outstanding performance.
When a scholarship provider offers merit-based scholarships, they’re often awarding students based on GPA, extracurricular activities, ACT/SAT scores, and leadership or community involvement. The more you showcase these achievements (in, say, your personal statement or your scholarship essay), the better!
There are both “outside scholarships” awarded by third parties (such as companies, foundations, or philanthropists) that can be used for tuition at any college, AND merit scholarships awarded by the colleges themselves.
General Merit-Based scholarships
1. National Honor Society Scholarship
Amount: Up to $13,000
Provider: National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
Requirements: (a) Must be a member of the National Honor Society, (b) GPA ≥ 3.00, (c) high school senior, (d) two recommendation letters, (e) transcript.
To apply for the National Honor Society Scholarship, the applicant must be a high school senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA who is a member in good standing of their NHS chapter and has been nominated by his or her local chapter. Each National Honor Society chapter may nominate two applicants based on leadership, scholarship, character, and service. Contact your local National Honor Society adviser for further information.
2. Steven J. Finkel Service Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000
Provider: Music Forward Foundation
Requirements: Full-time enrolled undergraduate student, GPA ≥ 3.0, must be pursuing a career in live entertainment, college acceptance letter, two recommendation letters, resume, transcript.
The Steven J. Finkel Service Scholarship was established to support the ever-growing customer service expectations of fans, artists, and employees within the live entertainment industry.
3. Mike Beard Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000
Provider: Mike Beard Memorial
Requirements: High school senior in North Carolina, GPA ≥ 3.80, athletic, college acceptance letter, transcript, two recommendation letters, signed letter of your intent to play a sport in college.
The Mike Beard Memorial Scholarship was created to assist student-athletes who who are continuing to play sports at the college level. This scholarship is for a total of $10,000 paid out in payments of $2500 over 4 years.Decisions will be made by a board and an interview will be part of the process for the finalists. The athlete should have plans to attend college regardless of the Collegiate Scholarship opportunity.
4. $500 Merit Scholarship for Academic Achievement
Amount: Up to $500 per recipient
Provider: Going Merry
Requirements: High School Senior and above, recommendation letter, transcript.
The $500 Merit Scholarship for Academic Achievement will award $500 each to 2 deserving full-time students who display both academic achievement and leadership in extracurricular activities. We’re looking for passion and depth rather than breadth: How have you achieved within your specific area of interest or expertise? Have you held internships or fellowships in your desired field of work? Have you held leadership roles in your school clubs?
5. Daniel G. Calugar Foundation Merit Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $10,000 per recipient
Provider: Daniel G Calugar Foundation
Requirements: High school senior, SAT Score ≥ 1500, U.S. Citizen, Essay, SAT Score Report, College Acceptance Letter.
The Daniel G. Calugar Foundation is proud to offer the Academic Achievement Scholarship providing an opportunity for ten outstanding freshmen entering college in the upcoming fall semester to receive $10,000 each to be applied to their college tuition. This scholarship program aims to recognize academic excellence, motivation, and clear career objectives.
6. The Fulbright-National Geographic Award
Amount: Varies to Tuition, Fees, Housing and Dining
Provider: U.S. Department of State
Requirements: Majoring in the STEM field, Senior in Undergrad and above
The Fulbright Program and the National Geographic Society have partnered to provide a unique Fulbright opportunity, the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program. This award makes available additional funding and resources to enhance the reach and impact of the Fulbright experience.
7. Woodcock Family Education Scholarship
Amount: Up to $40,000 per recipient
Provider: Albuquerque Community Foundation
Requirements: High school senior, GPA ≥ 3.80, majoring in STEM, must reside in Torrance County, Sandoval County, Valencia County, or Bernalillo County, New Mexico, transcript, recommendation letter.
The Woodcock Family Education Scholarship 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.
8. Kopfler & Hermann Overcoming Adversity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient
Provider: Kopfler & Hermann
Requirements: To apply to the Kopfler & Hermann Overcoming Adversity Scholarship, applicants must have a GPA ≥ 3.00 and submit an essay on how they overcame adversity in their lives.
9. Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship
Amount: Up to $500 per recipient
Provider: Maryland Criminal Lawyer
Requirements: GPA ≥ 3.00
Mr. Okin is proud to contribute to the national discussion on community service by sponsoring the Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship. The winner will be awarded a $500 scholarship that will enable him or her to pursue educational goals with the ultimate purpose of creating a meaningful life of service to others.
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10. Chi Am Circle High School Scholarships
Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
Provider: Chi Am Circle
Requirements: High school senior of Asian ethnicity, GPA ≥ 3.30, residential address in Santa Clara County, California, ACT Score Report, FAFSA, SAR, 2 Recommendation Letters, SAT Score Report, transcript.
The organization awards the Chi Am High School Scholarships to Santa Clara County high school seniors of Asian descent who demonstrate academic achievement as well as noteworthy extracurricular activities such as community service, performing arts, work, and athletics. All students will be considered for merit based scholarships.
11. “Crack the DAT” Pre-Dental Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,000
Provider: Crack DAT
Requirements: Applicants must be at least a college junior to apply, must be pursuing dentistry, resume or CV, photo, transcript, DAT score report, video clip introducing yourself.
The “Crack the DAT” Pre-Dental Scholarship considers academic merit, community service, and financial need, encouraging pre-dental students to pursue a career in dentistry
12. ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students
Amount: Full tuition-only need/merit scholarship
Provider: TMCF and ETS
Requirements: Enrolled full-time as a junior or senior, current grade point average of 3.5 or higher, demonstrate leadership abilities, demonstrate a financial need, U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551, letter of recommendation, transcript, essay, and video essay.
ETS, a team of education experts, researchers and assessment developers, provides financial assistance to outstanding African-American students pursuing a college degree through their ETS Presidental Scholarship for HBCU Students.
13. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Amount: Up to $5,000
Provider: Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Requirements: (a) Must be of Hispanic heritage, (b) Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students, Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for undergraduate and graduate students, (c) Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2020-2021 academic year US Citizen, (d) Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA). Please visit the scholarship website for more information.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides funding college opportunities for students of Hispanic heritage. These are merit-based scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000, with an emphasis on STEM majors.
14. PMAHCC Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $2,500
Provider: Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Requirements: Must be enrolled in a two or four-year college or university, or vocational, technical or trade school in the U.S. or its territories, have at least one parent of Hispanic ancestry (at least one grandparent must be Hispanic), reside in or plan to reside in one of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Westmoreland or Washington County, minimum 3.0 GPA.
The PMAHCC Foundation Scholarship Program provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to students. Grant amounts are evaluated based on individual need or merit for each applicant.
15. Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $30,000
Provider: Scarlett Family Foundation
Requirements: Graduating high school senior or college freshman, sophomore, junior, demonstrate financial need via 1040 tax return, GPA of 2.5 or higher.
The Scarlett Family Foundation’s vision is that every student receives a high-quality education to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient. Joe and Dorothy Scarlett are strong believers in the power of education to transform lives. With the help of their children, they put this belief into action by establishing the Scarlett Family Foundation in 2005 to provide the Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship to Middle Tennessee students pursuing business degrees.
16. SMART Scholarship Program
Amount: Full Cost of Attendance
Provider: Department of Defense
Requirements: Majoring in the Science Field, GPA of 3.0, 18 years old and up, must be able to complete at least one summer internship (multi-year scholars only), must be willing to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. program in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) after graduation. SMART scholars will be employed as a DoD civilian upon degree completion.
17. iVein Health & Wellness Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Provider: IVC Interventional & Vein Center
Requirements: Essay (800 to 1000 words), GPA of 3.7
Full-time undergraduates and graduates may apply. IVC wants to hear practical approaches to a lifetime of healthy living, especially habits students can enforce during the hectic schedule of college life. The iVein Health & Wellness Scholarship requires an essay and transcript to apply.
18. The Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship
Amount: $2,600
Provider: The Gerber Foundation
Requirements: (a) Graduating from a high school in Newaygo, Muskegon, or Oceana County, (b) GPA between 2.0 and 3.7. For more information, please visit the scholarship website.
Worth $2,600, the Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship is available to students in the Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana school districts who demonstrate potential and academic success.
19. Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneur
Amount: $2,000
Provider: GreenPal
Requirements: Essay (500 to 1000 words), GPA of 3.5. High school seniors and current college freshmen or sophomores may apply. Applicants should have their own business or a business plan.
The Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneur supports driven students showing leadership. Green Pal believes these students are the future employers of tomorrow! Students may be attending a two- or four-year university, college, or vocational/ technical institute.
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20. Cameron Impact Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition and qualified educational expenses
Provider: Bryan Cameron Educational Foundation
Requirements: Online Application and Two Letters or Recommendation, GPA of 3.7
High school students may apply to the Cameron Impact Scholarship. Students must plan to attend an accredited four-year U.S. college or university full-time. Applicants should participate in community service, and be able to consider the world outside themselves. Each applicant’s extracurricular activities are taken into account also.
21. A1 Solar Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: A1 SolarStore
Requirements: Essay (500 to 7500 words), GPA of 3.0, must be pursuing an educational program in the field of renewable energy
Current college students may apply. The A1 Solar Scholarship hopes to increase awareness of climate change and keep the problem in the spotlight. It was launched to help applicants learn more about renewable energy and ways to use it against climate change.
22. Computer Science Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Apriorit
Requirements: Online Application, GPA of 3.0
High school seniors and college freshmen may apply. As self -proclaimed software engineering geeks, Apriorit supports students enrolled in a computer engineering or a computer science program. Applicants to the Computer Science Scholarship are expected to have a minimum composite SAT score of 1350/1600 or ACT score of 27.
23. When There Are Nine Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Provider: Federal Bar Council
Requirements: Enrolling or enrolled in law school, Female, must demonstrate some ties to New York City, transcript
The When There Are Nine Scholarship Project was established in 2020 in partnership with the Federal Bar Foundation by a group of women attorneys who served together as Assistant United States Attorneys in the Southern District of New York. The Project’s mission is to honor the lifelong work of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by creating a scholarship and related programming that will advance equity and diversity within the legal profession and continue the late Justice’s many efforts to expand career opportunities for women attorneys.
24. West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: Maintain a 2.75 GPA the first year and a 3.0 GPA in subsequent years, complete and earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in each 12-month period for a student who receives a two-semester award in an academic year. If a student receives a single-semester award, the student must complete and earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in an academic year. Remain continuously enrolled as a full time student.
The West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship is a merit-based, renewable scholarship for students in West Virginia who achieve certain academic requirements. The funds may be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees, and current PROMISE recipients may be eligible to receive a Summer PROMISE award.
25. GSFC HOPE Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Provider: Georgia Student Finance Commission
Requirements: (a) Residency in Georgia, (b) Minimum GPA of 3.0 in both high school and college.
The GSFC HOPE Scholarship is awarded to Georgia residents who demonstrate academic success and plan on attending a participating college or university within the state. Implemented by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the aim of the Helping Outstanding Students Educationally scholarship is to promote the success of Georgia students in higher education.
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