What Is a Merit Scholarship? A 2025 Guide to Earning Free Money for College

Tyson Schritter / Search for Scholarships »

If you’re a high-achieving student, there may be thousands of dollars in college funding waiting for you—no FAFSA or financial need required. Merit scholarships are awarded based on your accomplishments, not your income. But how do they work, who offers them, and how do you qualify?

In this guide, we’ll cover what merit scholarships are, where to find them, and how to increase your chances of earning one.

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🎓 What Is a Merit Scholarship?

A merit scholarship is a financial award given to students based on their academic, artistic, athletic, or leadership achievements—rather than financial need.

Unlike need-based aid, merit scholarships reward performance. If you’ve maintained a high GPA, earned strong test scores, or shown leadership in your community, you may be eligible for thousands in free college funding.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 25% of undergraduates receive merit-based financial aid.

💡 Types of Merit Scholarships

  • Academic Merit: GPA, SAT/ACT scores, AP/IB courses
  • Talent-Based: Art, music, theater, dance, or writing
  • Athletic Merit: Varsity sports, NAIA/NCAA recognition
  • Leadership/Service: Community impact, club leadership, student government

✅ How to Qualify for Merit Scholarships

Requirements vary, but many colleges and private organizations consider:

  • High school GPA (usually 3.5+)
  • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)—optional at some schools
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal essays or portfolios
  • Interview or resume of extracurriculars

For tips on what to include, check out our guide to writing an activities résumé for college.

📌 Real Examples of Merit Scholarships

Here are a few examples of merit scholarships you may come across:

  • Presidential Scholarship: Often awarded to top applicants with outstanding academic records. Example: Temple University offers up to full tuition for top students.
  • National Merit Scholarship: Based on PSAT/NMSQT performance; includes corporate and college-sponsored awards.
  • College-Specific Awards: Many of our Affordable Colleges of Distinction offer automatic merit awards to students who meet certain GPA/test score thresholds.

🔍 How to Find Merit Scholarships

There are two main sources of merit scholarships:

  1. Colleges themselves: Many schools automatically consider applicants for merit aid when you apply. Always check their financial aid or admissions pages.
  2. Private organizations: Nonprofits, foundations, and companies also offer scholarships for leadership, academics, or talent.

Bonus: Some schools offer “stackable” merit scholarships—meaning you can combine multiple awards.

🎯 Want Scholarships Matched to You?

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Written by Tyson Schritter, College Advising Contributor at Colleges of Distinction.
Last updated: April 2025

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Tyson Schritter
Chief Operating Officer

With an impressive fifteen-year tenure as a member of the Colleges of Distinction qualification and research team, Tyson has extensively toured campuses nationwide and conducted interviews with their staff. This wealth of experience is clearly reflected in the insightful resource articles he contributes to Colleges of Distinction. His written work has been featured on reputable platforms such as Huffington Post, Higher Ed Revolution, and Campus News.

Notably, he is also the author of “Reaching Beyond Rankings: How to Use College Evaluation Systems to Find Your Dream School“. Tyson’s multifaceted expertise, blending hands-on campus assessment and extensive writing, underscores his commitment to helping students navigate the complexities of college selection and find their ideal educational fit.

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