Merit-Based Scholarship Directory

Discover a wealth of opportunities with merit-based scholarships that recognize and reward your academic abilities and excellence.

What Are Merit-Based Scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships are financial awards for college that are granted based on a student's individual accomplishments rather than financial necessity. These scholarships reward excellence in academic performance, athletic prowess, artistic ability, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.

Discover The Best Merit-Based Scholarships With Our Free Directory!

Our free directory allows you to easily search and filter scholarships based on criteria including award amount, minimum required GPA, and scholarship type (including full-ride options). Find scholarships that match your qualifications and help your career goals come to fruition!

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding and applying for scholarships can be confusing, so we've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions to help clarify the process.

Who Qualifies for Merit-Based Scholarships?

Students who qualify for merit-based awards demonstrate academic success and extracurricular involvement. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to academically gifted students based on their achievements and talents, rather than financial need.

What Is A Good GPA for A Merit-Based Scholarship?

A good GPA for merit-based scholarships is between 3.0 and 3.5 average. However, more competitive scholarships can require between a 3.5 and 4.0 GPA.

Do Merit Scholarships Take Into Account Financial Need?

Merit scholarships do not take financial need into account, unlike need-based scholarships. Students of any financial background can earn a merit scholarship based on their academic and extracurricular achievements.

Do I Need To Renew Merit Scholarships?

Yes, merit scholarships require annual renewal to continue receiving the awards. Failure to meet renewal standards will result in the loss of merit scholarship funding.

What Is The Difference Between Merit-Aid And Merit Scholarships?

Merit-based aid is awarded to students for their academic achievements, talents, and extracurricular involvement, without considering financial need. Merit scholarships are a form of merit-based aid, requiring a separate application, which often include application essays, and certain standards, such as a minimum GPA, for renewal.