Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Cara Goldstone Image Written By: Cara Goldstone | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: June 2, 2026

Merit Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • According to the Education Data Initiative, about 61% of incoming college students apply for need-based, federal financial aid— but students can apply for merit scholarships regardless of their financial status.
  • Merit scholarships may be judged on the basis of factors like academic, athletic, and artistic skills, or they may be judged based on applicants’ identities and leadership records.
  • The best way to find well-fitting merit scholarships is by making an account on Scholarships.com.

Each year, the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) provides need-based financial aid to almost 10 million U.S. college students. But what if you aren’t one of them? Even if you don’t demonstrate financial need as defined by the government, you can still win money to pay for college in the form of merit-based scholarships. Keep reading to find out how.

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The 25 Best Merit Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Adam Ferrari Health Science Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Adam Ferrari Health Science Scholarship empowers students who wish to study health science in college with the goal of providing better care for patients with physical disabilities. To apply for this $20,000 scholarship, eligible students must submit an essay between 1,000 and 2,000 words and meet all outlined eligibility requirements. Scholarship Details Award amount is $20,000

  • 2

  • Marshall Scholarship

  • Amount$50,000
  • DeadlineSeptember 16, 2026

The Marshall Scholarship is intended for candidates who have the potential to excel as scholars, as leaders and as contributors to improved UK-US understanding. In doing so, we recognise the value of diversity among applicants and promote equality of opportunity. The selection criteria are divided into three equally weighted categories: Academic Merit; Leadership Potential; and Ambassadorial

  • 3

  • MEM Scholars Program

  • Amount$100,000
  • DeadlineOctober 15, 2026

The MEM Scholarship offers three $100,000 scholarships over four years to students from Colorado or Washington State. The program is designed to provide generous financial support for students with a sincere passion for their higher education pursuits. Scholarship Details Three scholarships of $100,000 each over four years Open to students from Colorado or Washington State Students must

  • 4

  • Bruce Fishkin Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$200,000
  • DeadlineNovember 1, 2026

The Bruce Fishkin Scholarship Fund is in search of high school students in their senior year who seek to challenge themselves to succeed and accomplish what most people never imagine. Selection is based upon application essays, followed by personal interviews. Scholarship Details Awards up to $50,000 per year for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate education. Scholarship funds can be

  • 5

  • Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

  • Amount$4,000
  • DeadlineNovember 2, 2026

The Youth Awards was founded in 1998 by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Now entering its 27th year, the Youth Awards honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Community Service, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Business, Green Sustainability, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public

  • 6

  • Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineNovember 14, 2026

Georgia Engineering Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships to freshman, upperclassmen, and graduate students who are residents of Georgia and attending eligible engineering, engineering technology and construction management programs. Eligible programs include current ABET- accredited undergraduate and graduate engineering/engineering technology programs and ACCE accredited construction

  • 7

  • Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2026

Recognizing the legacy of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, established in 1938, aims to support women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. This $10,000 Fellowship is granted annually to 30 exceptional women and can be utilized at any accredited university or college offering post-graduate courses in these fields. With a rich

  • 8

  • Sustainability Scholarship for Rising College Seniors

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2026

The annual GBES scholarship recognizes college students who are passionate about environmental stewardship and committed to building a more sustainable world. We are seeking applicants who are passionate about environmental stewardship and committed to building a more sustainable world. Ideal candidates will demonstrate their dedication to sustainability through involvement in relevant projects,

  • 9

  • 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineDecember 1, 2026

The 5 Strong program partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide promising student leaders with full-tuition scholarships and ongoing mentorship from matriculation to graduation. The program begins with information sessions to determine if 5 Strong is the right fit for each student. Accepted applicants are placed into teams of five scholars and participate in

  • 10

  • The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineDecember 4, 2026

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), is a unique education and workforce development opportunity for aspiring leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Scholarship Details SMART Scholarships are for students with college credit and Dellums SMART

  • 11

  • Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineDecember 10, 2026

The Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation (KHREF) is offering scholarships to high school students who submit the best essays addressing the prompts provided. There are two contests, one for high school students in the U.S. and another for students who are citizens and residents of other countries. This is an excellent opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking about human rights

  • 12

  • Pioneers of Flight Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineDecember 25, 2026

The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) established the Pioneers of Flight Scholarship Program in 1989 to offer financial assistance and encouragement to young people in the pursuit of academic excellence. Scholarship Details Established by the National Air Transportation Foundation in 1989 Two awards of $1,000 each granted annually Funds applied toward one year of

  • 13

  • GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$40,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 5, 2027

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program offers college scholarships of up to $40,000 for high school seniors nationwide who showcase leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. Easy to apply and will change students’ lives. Scholarship Details $10,000 renewable scholarship (up to $40,000 total per student) Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and on-campus room and

  • 14

  • Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program

  • Amount$24,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 5, 2027

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes. Nearly 500,000 college athletes across all three divisions compete for about 1,100 member schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and even Canada. NCAA schools award nearly $3.5 billion in athletics scholarships every year and

  • 15

  • The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$7,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 15, 2027

The Mensa Foundation awards over $200,000 in scholarships annually, supporting students worldwide in achieving their educational and career aspirations. Scholarship Details Open to students pursuing education at accredited institutions around the world Selection based on a 550-word essay describing academic and career goals Application period opens September 15 and closes

  • 16

  • National Forum for Black Public Administrators Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 20, 2027

Scholarships are offered in furtherance of NFBPA’s goal of lending support to African American and other minority students interested in leadership roles in public service. Applicants must be current full-time undergraduate and full-time graduate students currently enrolled in a traditional four-year, accredited university or college, have at least 1 full-time academic semester remaining, with a

  • 17

  • The Rezvan Foundation for Excellence Scholarship

  • Amount$100,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2027

The mission of The Rezvan Foundation is to support the academic pursuits of exceptionally talented young students who have spent time in foster care. The Foundation provides ongoing mentorship and scholarship funding for full tuition up to $100,000 over the course of four years for each Awardee. Scholarship funds only intended for/shall only be used to pay general instructional fees owed to the

  • 18

  • Teachers Federal Credit Union Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMarch 6, 2027

Teachers is proud to offer the Teachers Federal Credit Union Scholarship to support student members embarking on their journey of continuous learning and success. Founded by a group of educators, Teachers continues to reinforce its commitment to education and ensure that more students have the resources to reach their academic goals. This scholarship is awarded annually to graduating high school

  • 19

  • Gill-Elliott Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 6, 2027

The Gill-Elliott Scholarship provides an annual award to a graduating senior from Highlands High School who demonstrates excellent academic achievement and who plans to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, math or pre-medicine. Applicants must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher and a composite ACT score of at least 28 or SAT score of at least 1250. Blue Grass

  • 20

  • Cameron Impact Scholarship

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2027

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is impact-driven and open to all applicants who meet the GPA and citizenship requirements, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation or any other background factors. Integrity, intelligence, motivation, work ethic, and willingness to serve others are the strongest indicators of a worthy educational investment. Please note that only

  • 21

  • National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2027

NGMA is a professional trade organization for the manufacturers and suppliers of greenhouses and greenhouse components built to codes designed for a grower’s needs. The National Greenhouse Manufactures Association Scholarship targets students majoring in horticulture and bioengineering or the equivalent and are at least a junior at an accredited four-year college maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Applicants

  • 22

  • International Essential Tremor Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$7,500
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2027

Each year the IETF awards up to 10, $7,500 scholarships to qualified post-high school students of all ages, to lessen the burden of higher education. The scholarships can be used for supplies, books or tuition at licensed, accredited institutions of higher education (including trade schools) and are paid directly to the educational institution. Scholarship Details Up to ten scholarships of

  • 23

  • Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2027

Scholarships of $3,000 will be awarded to full-time students enrolled in at least their second semester and at least two semester-equivalent courses, currently pursuing a graduate degree at any accredited academic institution in the United States and living in the United States in an eligible major that supports the mission of AFCEA Educational Foundation. Scholarship Details $3,000

  • 24

  • The CAPTRUST Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMay 31, 2027

The CAPTRUST Scholarship scholarship window is now open with the scholarships being awarded for the coming Fall semester. We will select five students across the country to receive $2,000 each. At CAPTRUST, we believe it is essential to support our local communities and prepare developing professionals for success. Scholarship Details Five scholarships awarded for the Fall semester Each

  • 25

  • Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 31, 2027

We proudly offer educational scholarships to students who have lost a parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, or spouse to alcohol, drug, or prescription drug abuse. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Scholarship Details Designed to assist students who have lost a close family member or spouse to substance abuse Scholarship amount varies depending on available

What is a merit scholarship?

A merit scholarship is a financial aid award given without consideration of applicants’ financial need. These scholarships are judged on non-financial factors such as extracurricular involvement, athletic skill, social identity, and more; the main types are listed below.

Academic Merit Scholarships

Academic merit scholarships are awarded based on applicants’ academic excellence, judged via GPA, standardized test scores, or honors course involvement. Many colleges and universities offer institutional academic merit scholarships for which incoming students are automatically considered.

Private organizations also award academic merit scholarships. For example, the Daniel G. Calugar Foundation offers $10,000 scholarships to incoming college freshmen with exceptional standardized test scores. To apply, students must submit an essay on the U.S. economy and a record of their SAT or ACT score.

Athletic Merit Scholarships

Athletic merit scholarships are given to exceptional athletes in a variety of sports, from football to volleyball to even esports. Like academic scholarships, these awards may be offered through specific colleges for students at those particular schools. They sometimes have GPA stipulations for renewal, but they are primarily judged based on applicants’ athletic ability.

For instance, the Walter J. Travis Society Scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students in golf-related fields. While applicants’ academic histories are considered, special emphasis is placed upon applicants’ golfing performance and involvement. Winners receive $1,000 towards their studies.

Artistic Merit Scholarships

Artistic merit scholarships are awarded on the basis of applicants’ artistic skills. Some are targeted towards artists of certain disciplines, such as painters or dancers, while others welcome applications from artists in a range of fields. From musical performance to poetry writing to filmmaking, artistic merit scholarships aim to recognize all kinds of arts students.

One example of an artistic merit scholarship is the Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship, a $10,000 contest hosted by BOBS from Skechers. Current college students can submit dog and cat-themed shoe designs for a chance to win both financial aid and individual mentorship from the Skechers design team.

Leadership Merit Scholarships

Leadership merit scholarships are open to students with histories of activism, public service, volunteering, extracurricular organization, and other initiatives that demonstrate community-focused ambition. These awards are perfect for students who found or lead clubs, teams, and charities.

The Stantec Future Leaders Scholarship, for instance, is awarded based on applicants’ commitment to leadership. Student leaders pursuing STEAM degrees can win up to $10,000 and a paid internship through this scholarship, no financial need required.

Identity Merit Scholarships

Identity merit scholarships aim to uplift students in marginalized or underrepresented communities; unlike other types of merit scholarships, recipients of identity merit scholarships are chosen based on their traits and unique life experiences. Academic or extracurricular achievements may also be considered, but the qualifying factor for an identity merit scholarship recipient is just that: their identity.

For instance, the Ari’s Bears Scholarship is a merit-based award of $1,000 established to support pediatric cancer survivors; only those with past or current pediatric cancer diagnoses may apply. Secondary considerations include community service involvement and a 2.5 minimum GPA.

Where to find merit scholarships

There are countless merit scholarships available, both institutional and privately-offered. Once students have checked directly with their current colleges or their schools of interest to determine what institutional merit scholarships they may qualify for, they should begin searching for outside scholarships with Scholarships.com.

When you create a free account on Scholarships.com, you’ll automatically match with every scholarship in our database for which you are eligible. Your tailored list of scholarship matches will include awards personalized to your academic interests, extracurricular involvement, personal life circumstances, and financial situation; this is the best way to find merit scholarships for which you can actually apply.

Frequently asked questions about merit scholarships:

Who can win a merit scholarship?

While the exact eligibility criteria varies between scholarships, there are merit scholarships for all kinds of students to win. The particular merit scholarship to which you should apply will depend on your circumstances, including your major, grades, extracurricular skills, year in school, minority status, and all the other factors that make you unique.

For instance, many students assume that merit scholarships are only for high school seniors. This is not the case. The highly-competitive Doodle for Google Scholarship, an artistic merit scholarship of up to $55,000, accepts entries from students as young as kindergarten age— though a parent or guardian must submit the work on the young student’s behalf— all the way up to graduating high school seniors.

Can current college students win merit scholarships?

Whether you’ve just begun your freshman year of undergrad or you’re approaching your final year of graduate school, you can win merit scholarships as a current college student. Aside from institutional merit scholarships for which you are automatically considered each year, countless awards are available; one way to narrow down your options is to search scholarships based on your major.

The Spencer Educational Foundation, for example, offers scholarship awards of up to $10,000 to current undergraduate, graduate, and professional students majoring in risk management and insurance-related fields. With a minimum GPA requirement of 3.3 and a narrow range of majors, these scholarships are great low-competition, merit-based options for eligible students.

Do I need perfect grades to win a merit scholarship?

One common misconception about merit scholarships is that you have to have perfect grades and test scores in order to win them. The truth is that most academic merit scholarships accept applicants with a range of GPAs; many don’t require ACT or SAT scores. There are also plenty of merit scholarships without any grade requirements at all. There are even a few specifically targeted towards students with lower grades.

For example, the Anna V. Waters Scholarship is a merit scholarship specifically targeted towards African-American high school seniors with “C”-range grades; to apply, students must have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.9, no higher. The $2,000 award supports these underrepresented students realize their full potential in college.

Do merit scholarships require letters of recommendation to apply?

Letters of recommendation are often required to apply for scholarships because they act as corroborating evidence of a student’s ambition. However, merit scholarships do not always require letters of recommendation. Many standard academic merit scholarships only require transcripts and essays to apply.

Skill-based merit scholarships like musical or athletic scholarships often judge students solely on their competitive performance, without need for recommendation letters. The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest awards 4 students each year with up to $5,000 purely based on their performance in the contest. Students only need to participate to apply.

Can out-of-state students win merit scholarships?

Out-of-state students can win merit scholarships. Private merit scholarships based on a student’s school attendance state exist, as do those based on a student’s residence state; out-of-state students may apply to either kind. There are also private merit scholarships which do not have any location requirements at all.

Out-of-state students can also qualify for many institutional merit scholarships. Lake Forest College’s Carnegie English Essay Contest is open to admitted students from any state, so long as they enroll at the college as an English major. This renewable merit scholarship totals up to $10,000 over the course of 4 years. Its specificity makes it an enticing option for nonresident students hoping to attend an out-of-state college to study English.