Are you looking for scholarships that are based on your academic achievements, rather than financial need? Merit-based scholarships are a great way to pay for college without relying on student loans or family contributions.
In this blog post, we’ll look at 6 Best Scholarships Based on Merit available to students in the United States.
From the National Merit Scholarship to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, these awards can be life-changing for those who receive them. Read on to learn more about these incredible opportunities.
1) The Coca-Cola Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program created to provide financial assistance to high school seniors in the United States.
Established in 1986, this program has provided nearly 7,000 scholarships to deserving students throughout its long history.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program offers a variety of awards ranging from $20,000 to $75,000. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be current high school seniors who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university in the upcoming academic year. They must also demonstrate leadership potential and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The application for this scholarship includes two essays and letters of recommendation, as well as a list of extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience.
The selection process is highly competitive, and selection is based on the student’s essay responses, GPA, and other criteria.
If you’re looking for a merit-based scholarship that offers large awards to deserving students, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program could be the perfect fit for you.
With awards of up to $75,000 and a rigorous selection process, this is one of the best merit-based scholarships available.
2) The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is an amazing opportunity for high achieving students.
This scholarship is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to students.
The program provides tuition assistance and mentoring to a select group of high school seniors each year who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement.
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Demonstrate strong academic performance throughout high school
• Demonstrate a commitment to service and leadership in their community
• Have a GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Be US citizens, permanent legal residents, or eligible non-citizens
• Be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American
The program provides a one-time award that covers up to 90% of the student’s college tuition, books and supplies for up to eight semesters or the equivalent.
In addition, each scholarship recipient receives a $1,000 stipend for educational support services.
Recipients also receive mentoring, ongoing support and leadership development opportunities.
If you are looking for a prestigious scholarship with excellent mentoring and support services, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program is worth considering.
It is an incredible opportunity for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.
3) The Goldwater Scholarship
The Goldwater Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program that provides up to $7,500 per year to undergraduate students who demonstrate excellent academic achievements in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering.
Established in 1986, the program honors Senator Barry Goldwater and aims to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in these fields.
The scholarship is awarded to approximately 300 students per year, based on their academic records, research skills, and leadership potential.
To be eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship, students must be pursuing a degree in math, natural science, or engineering, and must be nominated by their college or university.
Additionally, they must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., have at least a 3.0 GPA, and have performed research in their field of study.
Recipients of the scholarship are selected based on their academic achievements and potential for success in their chosen career path.
The Goldwater Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a career in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering and have already achieved academic excellence in these fields.
4) The Intel Science Talent Search
The Intel Science Talent Search (also known as Intel STS) is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs for high school students.
This program offers an annual competition for US students to demonstrate their talents in science and mathematics.
Each year, students are asked to present a research paper on a scientific topic of their choice. These papers are then judged by a panel of experts from around the world.
The top 40 finalists are selected based on their research projects, academic achievement, and presentation skills.
The Intel Science Talent Search is a great opportunity for students to gain recognition for their accomplishments in the sciences and to be rewarded with a substantial financial award.
Winners are chosen based on the quality of their research paper and other criteria such as leadership, outreach, or community service.
In addition to the scholarship awards, participants in the Intel Science Talent Search have access to unique opportunities such as mentoring, research internships, and summer programs.
These experiences are invaluable for students interested in pursuing a career in science.
The Intel Science Talent Search is a great way for ambitious high school students to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity in the sciences.
It provides them with valuable experience that could lead to a career in the sciences and also rewards them with a substantial financial award.
5) The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to low-income women aged 35 and older who are seeking a degree or certificate from an accredited college or technical school.
It is the oldest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to providing educational support for older women.
The scholarship awards up to $2,000 annually to recipients who demonstrate financial need and maintain an acceptable grade point average.
The goal of the scholarship fund is to help women gain the skills they need to improve their lives and become economically self-sufficient.
In order to be eligible, applicants must be 35 years or older, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, must have financial need, must be enrolled in an accredited college or university or a technical/vocational school, and must not have received a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Additionally, the applicant must either be a US citizen or permanent resident.
Applications for the scholarship must be completed online and require two references, a personal statement, official transcripts, and proof of US citizenship or permanent residency.
The selection process is highly competitive and recipients are selected based on financial need, academic performance, and other factors.
The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund is an excellent opportunity for older women to achieve their dreams of furthering their education.
This scholarship provides both financial support and encouragement to those who wish to make a positive impact in their communities through higher education.
6) The National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships in the United States.
It is sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for students with exceptional academic achievements.
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must first take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
The top 1% of the test takers will become semifinalists and then be invited to complete an application to become finalists.
In order to receive the scholarship, students must maintain a high GPA, participate in extracurricular activities, and demonstrate leadership qualities.
The National Merit Scholarship Program offers three types of awards: a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, corporate-sponsored merit scholarships, and college-sponsored merit scholarships.
The National Merit Scholarships are awarded to approximately 7,500 finalists each year and can be used at any accredited college or university.
The corporate-sponsored merit scholarships are provided by over 200 companies and organizations and are typically awarded based on the student’s scholastic abilities as well as their interests in business and industry.
College-sponsored merit scholarships are offered by over 500 colleges and universities, and these awards range from full tuition to smaller stipends.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an excellent way for students to achieve recognition for their academic excellence and ambition.
