Merit-based scholarships: How to find and apply

The Atto Gardner Memorial Scholarship is open to Nursing major students. A freshman award recipient must have a 3.0 GPA or better; and a second year student must have a 2.8 GPA at VU or better. Scholastic record is a primary consideration. Financial need is also a significant consideration. Students must file FAFSA each year by state deadline. The student's application process for admission to VU contains the information VU needs to determine if the student meets the criteria for VU Foundation scholarships. Students must complete the VU Admissions Application before January 15 for priority consideration for Foundation scholarships. If students apply after January 15, they may still be considered for scholarship awards. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information or contact Students Financial Services at Vincennes University.

The Zarrow Foundation Scholarship is open to current full-time students who are Oklahoma residents only that are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours on the Langston Campus or six credit hours at an urban campus (LU-OKC or LU-Tulsa). Applicants must be in good standing with the University. They must reapply for this scholarship annually. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information and inquiries about the application.

The New Mexico Scholars Scholarship encourages New Mexico high school graduates to enroll in college at a postsecondary before their 21st birthday in an undergraduate program. Applicants must have graduated from a New Mexico high school in the top 5 percent of their class or have obtained a score of 25 on the ACT or 1140 on the SAT. Selection will be based on the student's family income: combined family income may not exceed $60,000 per year. Students shall contact the institution for the eligibility period. Students shall apply at the eligible institution they will be attending. Students shall contact their institution's financial aid office for application instruction. Each scholarship is for a period of one academic year. The scholarship may be renewed annually until the award recipient has received four annual scholarship awards or until the student graduates from a four-year institution, whichever is earlier. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education for more information.

The Charles N. & Frances Millican Scholarship provides award(s) to UCF student(s) with senior class standing in the fall. This scholarship was established by the FTU 25-year reunion class of 1973. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding service to the university through leadership positions in Student Government, honor organizations, campus organizations and offices, etc. They must exemplify leadership skills with exceptional work experience. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Adelphi University High School Achievement, Deans and Presidential Awards are academic (merit) scholarships awarded to new entering full-time first-year students with exceptional academic achievement. Eligibility depends upon demonstrating notable academic potential through high school performance and standardized testing (if submitted). Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

Sage Merit Scholarships for transfer students completing their first bachelor's degree are given for a maximum of 6 terms of study. To qualify, students must be registered for a minimum of 12 required credits per term. Completion of 15 credits per term or 30 credits per year is recommended. Upon applying for admission to Sage, students are automatically considered for merit scholarships; there is no additional application. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Distinguished Scholars Award is open to high school graduates with a recalculated grade point average of 4.00 or better. Students must earn a standard US high school diploma or its equivalent (unless the student completes a home education program or earns a high school diploma from a non-US high school while living with a parent who is on military or public service assignment away from the US). Students must earn a minimum score of 76 on the ALEKS. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information and contact the Office of Financial Aid for inquiries about the application.

Merit scholarships at Western New England University will be awarded to freshman students based on high school academic achievement. The Merit Scholarships Program comprises the Presidential Scholars Awards, Provost's Scholar Awards, and Trustee's Scholar Awards. Awards are based on the Grade Point Average (GPA) which may be recalculated if a student has Honors or AP courses. Grades that are not calculated into the GPA include those for music, art, religion, non-programming computer courses, and technical courses, to name a few. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

Qualified high school juniors or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs and community service. They must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school and living in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) that they will represent for the entire academic year. The college scholarship and attendance at the Washington Week program are one inseparable award. Delegates must participate in the Washington Week program in accordance with all program rules and policies in order to receive the financial scholarship. The USSYP scholarship is designated for undergraduate college study only at an accredited United States college or university. All students are encouraged to include history, political science or related subjects in their undergraduate program. The scholarship is designated for the specified student's education expense and must be used within four years after enrollment. Students may obtain a USSYP application through their high school principals, school counselors and social studies teachers; or they may inquire directly to their state selection contacts online. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.