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Merit-based scholarships: How to find and apply
Find merit-based scholarships that can help you pay for college.
Here’s a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Merit-based scholarships
New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling Graduate Student Scholarship Award
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
NJACAC typically awards a scholarship to a graduate student each year. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact NJACAC for more information.
New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling Community College Scholarship Award
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
NJACAC typically awards a scholarship each year to a community college student enrolling at a four-year institution. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact NJACAC for more information.
The James Flack Norris and Theodore William Richards Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarships
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
$4,200
The James Flack Norris and Theodore William Richards Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarships are open to students who are majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or molecular biology and must anticipate having completed at least two full years of college-level chemistry before summer 2025. While sophomore students are eligible, preference will be given to junior undergraduate applicants with a greater level of research experience. Award winners are required to submit a report of their summer projects to the Editor of The Nucleus by November 1st, 2025 for publication in The Nucleus. They are also required to participate in the Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC) in Spring 2026. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
AAJA - Vincent Chin Memorial Scholarship
Due: 3/21/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The AAJA - Vincent Chin Memorial Scholarship awards $1,500 to a student journalist for an insightful essay related to Vincent Chin's life, death, and legacy. Other selection criteria include academic and journalistic achievement, financial need, commitment to journalism, and a sensitivity to AAPI issues. Applicants must be current AAJA student members. They must demonstrate a commitment to AAJA's mission in the answer to the essay question. They must be currently taking or planning to take journalism courses and/or pursuing journalism as a career. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Alban Medical Scholarship Fund
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Alban Medical Scholarship Fund is open to third or fourth-year medical students who demonstrate academic excellence with financial need, with preference given to students of the Jewish faith.
Center for Architecture Design Scholarship
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
Supported jointly by Center for Architecture and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), this scholarship is for students seeking their first professional degree in architecture or related design discipline from an accredited school within New York State. The dean or chair of the architectural school or accredited design program may invite up to two students from their respective college or university to apply based on their high level of academic performance and evidence of financial need. Financial need of the student shall be determined by the guidelines of the Financial Aid Officer of the school nominating the candidate. Applicants must submit their portfolio. The portfolio should include three student projects as examples of work. Submissions of collaborative projects where the applicant's role is not clear are discouraged. Do not submit slides. Two Letters of Recommendation are also required. One letter must be written by the nominating dean or chair. This letter will serve as the Dean's official nomination. One letter must also be written by a faculty member familiar with the applicant's work. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund
Due: 3/21/26
$20,000
The Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund scholarship program was established to support California high school students of Filipino heritage who demonstrate excellence in math and science to pursue rewarding engineering and science careers where Filipino Americans are underrepresented. The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years. Applicants must be at least 50 percent Filipino. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a current teacher....
Maravilla Education Fund Scholarship
Due: 3/21/26
|No Recommendations Required
Varies
Residents of Maravilla Scottsdale senior community established the Maravilla Education Fund Scholarship to help qualified hourly employees and dependents of qualified staff achieve their dreams through undergraduate post-secondary education. To apply, complete the ACF General Application and indicate your connection to Maravilla in Section Three. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Arizona Community Foundation for more information.
Center for Architecture Design Scholarship
Due: 3/21/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
The Center for Architecture Design Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that supports students acquiring their first professional degree in architecture, design, engineering, planning, or a related discipline. They must be seeking their first Architecture degree in New York State, and demonstrate academic performance and financial need. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a portfolio which includes three student projects as examples of work. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Enter to win a $2,000 scholarship
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Key takeaways about merit-based scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships reward achievement, not financial need.
- Start early—deadlines often hit before senior year ends.
- Look for awards tied to academics, leadership, or special talents.
- Avoid mistakes like missing eligibility details or deadlines.
- Use tools like Scholly Scholarships and Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships to find quick wins
What are merit-based scholarships and why do they matter?
Merit-based scholarships are awards given for your achievements—think grades, leadership, sports, or special talents. Unlike need-based aid, these scholarships focus on what you’ve accomplished, not your family’s income. They’re a great way to cut college costs and celebrate your hard work.
For a quick refresher on scholarship basics, check out our pages on what a scholarship is.
How to apply for merit-based scholarships
Applying for merit-based scholarships takes planning. Here’s how to nail it:
- Know the criteria: GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, or leadership roles often matter.
- Gather your docs early: Transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays take time.
- Show your impact: Use your essay to highlight achievements and goals.
Want more tips? See our list of common requirements.
Where to look for merit-based scholarships
Start with these sources:
- Colleges and universities: Many schools offer merit awards for strong applicants.
- National programs: Big-name scholarships often reward academic excellence.
- Local organizations: Community groups and businesses love supporting local talent.
- Scholarship search tools: Use Scholly Scholarships to match with opportunities fast.
Scholly Scholarships
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
Get quick wins for merit-based scholarships
Want better odds? Try these:
- Apply for smaller, local scholarships; less competition means higher chances.
- Look for no-essay scholarships like the Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.
- Use Scout College Search to find schools with strong merit aid programs.
Top merit-based scholarships to consider
While programs change every year, here are some well-known options:
- National Merit Scholarship Program
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program
- Gates Scholarship
- Local community and business awards
Merit-based scholarship tips
- Keep your grades strong; GPA is often the first filter.
- Build leadership experience through clubs or volunteering.
- Practice for standardized tests if scores matter for eligibility.
- Apply early and often—don’t wait until senior year crunch time.
Additional scholarships for students interested in merit-based scholarships
Whether you're into tech, art, activism, or just figuring it out, these categories can help you find funding that fits your journey:
- Scholarships by major - Find scholarships tailored to your field of study—whether it's STEM, arts, business, or education.
- Scholarships for high School seniors - Perfect for students starting their college journey. Many deadlines fall during senior year.
- Scholarships for college students - Keep applying throughout college—new opportunities open up every year.
- Scholarships for first generation students - If you’re the first in your family to attend college, these scholarships are designed to support you.
- Scholarships for adults - Returning to school? These scholarships help adult learners fund their education.
- Scholarships for women - Empowering scholarships for women, including awards specifically for Black women.
- LGBTQ+ scholarships - Scholarships that support students navigating both racial and LGBTQ+ identities.
- Scholarships by state - Local scholarships often have fewer applicants—boost your chances by applying close to home.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for merit-based scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
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Tips for writing scholarship essays
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Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
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