Getting a college education can open the door for many students, but determining how to pay for tuition can be difficult. Although a student loan is an option, it is best to look for options that do not require repayment. We are beginning to see colleges and universities offer different ways to help students pay for their education. Fortunately, there are a growing number of ways to finance higher education. According to a survey by US New and World Report, the average merit award given to full-time graduate students in the 2019-2020 academic year was $ 11,287. This article will focus on merit-based scholarships for high school seniors (and college students!) And how to get them.
What is a merit based scholarship?
A merit-based scholarship is a financial award that can be used to offset the cost of college and university education. One of the best things about merit-based scholarships is that, unlike student loans, they don’t have to be repaid. It helps families and expands opportunities for students from different backgrounds without burdening them with debt.
There is an idea that to get a merit-based scholarship you need to be a straight-forward student or a star athlete, but it is more accessible than that. To qualify, students must meet certain criteria in terms of academic performance, special achievement / skills / interests and / or financial needs.
In general, eligibility for merit-based scholarships is based on the following:
- Educational results
- Athletics
- Artistic talent
- The spirit of the community
- The power of leadership
- Special interest
- Population
Before applying for a merit-based scholarship, carefully review the eligibility criteria. Often, the application and selection process is lengthy, so you don’t want to waste time on something you don’t deserve!
Colleges with the highest number of merit-based scholarship recipients
If you are planning to apply for a merit-based scholarship, it may be a good idea to look for schools where most students are receiving scholarships. Based on the 2020-2021 academic year, there are the top five schools with the highest percentage of students who “had no financial need and who were given an institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant assistance.” Please note that this excludes tuition benefits and athletic awards.
- Vanguard University of Southern California (99%)
- Fisher College – Boston (82%)
- Web Institute (77%)
- Kaiser University (68%)
- New England Conservatory of Music (60%)
Can’t see your school here? This website Provides an extensive list One of the most student-aided schools in the United States.
Colleges with the largest merit-based scholarships
When choosing a college, it may be worthwhile to explore the size of the merit-based scholarship they are offering. Not all schools disclose this amount publicly, however College Insights Tool The available general data set can be used to sort the information.
Here is a list of the average amount offered to newcomers:
- Web Institute – $ 51,700
- University of Richmond – $ 40,769
- Bellette College – 40,533
- Hendrix College – 39,881
- Albion College – $ 37,375
- Heartwick College – $ 36,219
- Susquehanna University – $ 34,569
- Allegheny College – $ 33,809
- Clarkson University – $ 33,670
- Seattle Pacific University – 33,317
Again, this list is not necessarily complete so if you are interested in a school but do not see it here, contact them and ask about their eligibility support. Get it done in the college application process as soon as possible!
Top Merit-Based Scholarships
At first glance, you might assume that scholarships are about money, but sometimes it’s more than that. For example, students may be motivated to receive prizes such as the Rhodes Scholarship or the Harry S. Truman Scholarship for Reputation. Lastly, it is important to evaluate your needs before deciding which type to choose.
Here are some great qualification-based scholarships for high school seniors:
National Merit Scholarship Program
- Financial Rewards: Vary, but জাতীয় 2,500 for national qualification
- Number of recipients: About half of all applicants
- Based on PSAT / NMSQT scores
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
- Financial Rewards: Changes
- Number of recipients: 1,000
- This program is for “outstanding minority students with significant financial needs”
Dale Scholars
- Financial reward: $ 20,000
- Number of recipients: 500
- Scholarship recipients receive money for a new laptop and textbook
- All applicants must be eligible for the PIL grant, which is based on family income.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
- Financial rewards: up to $ 7,500
- Number of recipients: about 400
- For college sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in engineering, math and natural sciences
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
- Financial reward: $ 20,000
- Number of recipients: 150
- Qualifications are based on academic performance, leadership skills and volunteer work
- Applicants must go through an intensive interview process.
Udall Bachelor Scholarship
- Financial rewards: up to $ 7,000
- Number of recipients: 55
- College sophomores and juniors can apply for one of three types of scholarships.
- A scholarship is for students pursuing a career in environmentalism or conservation.
- The two scholarships are for Native Americans and Alaska Natives interested in Indigenous policy or local healthcare.
Buick Achievers Scholarship
- Financial rewards: up to $ 25,000
- Number of recipients: 50
- Scholarships are renewable for those studying engineering, technology and related subjects.
- Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership ability.
- Financial needs can also be considered.
Foot Locker Scholarship
- Financial Rewards: $ 20,000, disbursed as 5,000 per year
- Number of recipients: 20
- This program is for athletes with high GPA.
Merit based scholarship based on GPA
One way to get merit-based scholarships for high school seniors is through your GPA. This is especially useful for those who have not received any standardized test scores but want to make a major start to ensure merit support. Here are some good options:
Scholarships to General and Kelly Tanabe
- Financial Rewards: $ 1,000
- Deadline: July 31, 2022
- Eligibility: All high school students, college students, undergraduate students, and adult students
Club of America Scholarship Award
- Financial Rewards: $ 1,000
- Deadline: August 31, 2022
- Eligibility: Open to college students who write an essay on their career aspirations and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Cameron Impact Scholarship
- Financial Rewards: Covers the full cost of tuition
- Deadline: September 9, 2022
- Eligibility: High school seniors are enrolled in a recognized four-year US college or university
- Academic Requirements: Minimum weightless 3.7 GPA
American Floral Endowment Scholarship
- Financial rewards: $ 300– 4,000
- Deadline: May 1 of each year
- Eligibility: College students are pursuing degrees in floriculture or agriculture
- Academic Requirements: Minimum 2.0 GPA
Qualification-based athletic scholarship
There are many qualification-based scholarship opportunities for high school seniors who are athletes. Some of these scholarships are limited to students who play a specific sport, others are open to athletes of any sport. Here are some great examples:
Bigson Scholarship
- Financial reward: $ 500
- Deadline: June 19, 2022
- Eligibility: College student and high school senior
Billy Value Scholarship
- Financial Rewards: $ 1,000
- Deadline: June 22, 2022
- Qualifications: College students with outstanding bowling talent and strong academic performance
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Financial Rewards: $ 1,500
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Eligibility: High school senior, college or graduate students planning a career in health and fitness
Race Entry Student Scholarship
- Financial reward: $ 500
- Deadline: August 15, 2022
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in the college who take part in organized races
Heisman High School Scholarship
- Financial rewards: $ 500 to $ 5,000
- Opens: August 16, 2022
- Qualifications: High school senior athlete
How to apply for a merit-based scholarship
Now that you’ve learned about some of the different types of merit-based scholarships for high school seniors (and college students!), It’s time to talk about how to apply.
Be precise.
After all, only apply for scholarships that you are actually eligible to receive. In fact, you’ll want to leverage your efforts to find opportunities that best match your academic performance, skills, interests, or level of financial need.
Choose the right school.
We’ve listed a few schools with the best merit-based scholarships, so if accepting help is essential to your educational journey, you may want to prioritize those colleges. To streamline your research, look for websites that Scholarship broken In departments like public colleges and universities, private national universities and small liberal arts colleges.
Read the rules.
In recent years, the competition for these scholarship awards has intensified, so it’s really important to review the eligibility requirements and the application process. These apps often take a lot of time and effort, so you don’t want to see them because you missed something (or deadlines!) In fine print.
Stand out.
You want to attract donors, so you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from the pack. While it’s tempting to rush through the application process, take the time to share what makes you unique. You want to be memorable when it’s time to hand over those prizes to them!
Complete your information.
Do you need to sign up for a website to apply for a scholarship? If so, make sure your profile is complete. Use this space to your advantage by highlighting your strengths and experiences. You never know who might be looking at it!
Apply for multiple scholarships.
You’ve found and applied for the perfect merit-based scholarship, so now you’re done, right? Wrong! Even if you meet all the criteria, you may not be selected, so it is best to apply for multiple awards to increase your chances of receiving merit support.
Submit your FAFSA.
To be considered for all possible scholarships, whether they be need-based or merit-based, you must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application. In fact, it may be a requirement for some of the qualification-based scholarships we have already discussed.
In higher education it is a marathon, not a sprint. To get started, set yourself up for success. First, take the time to do research to find the right qualification-based scholarship for high school seniors. Then make a genuine effort to submit a great application. For many, this is the first step towards living the life you deserve — so keep your best foot forward!