Merit-Based Scholarships: Everything You Need to Know to Get College Funding

March 12, 2025

The Value of Merit Scholarships

Attending college represents a transformative journey filled with opportunities for growth, but the rising costs of higher education can be daunting. According to a report by the College Board called Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024, the average annual tuition in 2024–25 at private universities now exceeds $40,000, while public institutions average over $11,610 for in-state students. As costs continue to rise year-over-year, merit-based scholarships offer a powerful solution to this financial challenge.

This guide provides you with essential information about merit scholarships, including the different types available, eligibility requirements, and where to find them.

What are Merit-Based Scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships recognize and reward your specific accomplishments, talents, and potential. Unlike need-based financial aid, which evaluates your family’s income and assets, merit scholarships focus entirely on what you have achieved and what you can contribute to a campus community.

Key Benefits That Transform Your College Experience

Financial Freedom: Beyond simply reducing costs, merit scholarships can dramatically decrease or eliminate student loan debt, giving you greater career flexibility after graduation.
Recognition of Excellence: These awards validate years of dedication and hard work, providing tangible recognition of your achievements.
Enhanced Opportunities: Many merit scholarship programs include exclusive benefits like priority registration, mentorship programs, research opportunities, and professional networking events.
Career Advantage: Listing prestigious scholarships on your résumé demonstrates to future employers and graduate schools that you have been recognized for excellence.

Types of Merit-Based Scholarships: Finding Your Perfect Match

Merit scholarships come in diverse forms designed to recognize specific types of excellence. Understanding these categories helps you target opportunities that align with your unique strengths:

1. Academic Scholarships

Description: These awards recognize students with exceptional academic records, typically measured through grade point average (GPA), class rank, course rigor, and standardized test scores.
Example: 2025 St. John’s University Freshman Merit Scholarship

2. Athletic Scholarships

Description: These scholarships recognize outstanding performance in sports at various competitive levels.
Example: NCAA Scholarships

3. Artistic Merit Scholarships

Description: These recognize exceptional talent in visual arts, performing arts, music, creative writing, or other creative disciplines.
Example: CINTAS Foundation Fellowship in Music Composition

4. Leadership Scholarships

Description: These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated initiative, vision, and the ability to mobilize others toward meaningful goals.
Example: Coca-Cola Scholars Program

5. Community Service Scholarships

Description: These recognize sustained, meaningful volunteer work and dedication to improving communities.
Example: Prudential Spirit of Community Award

6. Corporate and Industry-Specific Scholarships

Description: Offered by companies and professional organizations to support students entering specific fields or career paths.
Example: Generation Google Scholarship

Understanding Eligibility: Are You a Strong Candidate?

Merit scholarships evaluate candidates based on different combinations of the following factors. Understanding these criteria can help you identify scholarships where you’re most competitive:

Academic Metrics

GPA and Class Rank: Most merit scholarships establish minimum GPA requirements (typically a 3.0+); more competitive scholarships require a 3.5+ or a top 10 percent class ranking.
Course Rigor: Taking challenging courses (AP, IB, Honors) often matters more than perfect grades in easier classes.
Standardized Test Scores: While many scholarships are now test-optional, strong SAT/ACT scores can still strengthen your application.

Beyond Academics

Extracurricular Depth: Sustained involvement and leadership in a few activities often outweigh superficial participation in many.
Special Talents: Exceptional abilities in athletics, arts, debate, research, or other areas can qualify you for specialized merit awards.
Personal Qualities: Many scholarship committees look for resilience, initiative, integrity, and other character strengths that predict future success.
Fit with Mission: Some scholarships seek students whose goals and values align with the scholarship’s purpose or the institution’s mission.

Where to Find Scholarship Opportunities

Finding the right scholarships requires a methodical approach. Explore these key resources to uncover opportunities that match your profile:

Institutional Scholarships

College and University Websites: Always start with prospective schools’ financial aid pages, as institutional scholarships often provide the largest awards.

External Scholarship Resources

Comprehensive Scholarship Databases: Platforms like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Cappex allow you to create a profile and receive personalized scholarship matches.
Community Resources: Local businesses, community foundations, religious organizations, and civic groups often offer scholarships with less competition.
Professional Associations: Organizations like the American Medical Association or National Society of Black Engineers offer field-specific scholarships.
Corporate Programs: Many large companies (e.g., Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Google) offer substantial scholarship programs.

Specialized Approaches

High School Guidance Office: Counselors often have information about local scholarships that may not be widely advertised online.
Employer Benefits: Several companies offer scholarships for employees’ children.
Affinity Organizations: Groups based on heritage, religion, or special interests often offer member scholarships.

Applying to Merit-Based Scholarships: Success Tips

Getting a merit-based scholarship takes strategy and persistence. If you apply the proper strategy, you will be in a better position to impress, increasing your odds of earning the scholarship.

Start Early: To give yourself the best chance, start your search in high school.
Leverage Your Network: Talk to counselors, mentors, and alumni.
Polish Your Essay: Get teachers and professionals to give you feedback about the writing.
Stay Persistent: Scholarships are competitive, and there are things you can do to help raise your chances.

Success Stories: The Real Impact of Merit Scholarships

Tashna-Loy Drummond: Academic Excellence in Action

Tashna-Loy Drummond, who plans to graduate in May, came to St. John’s University from Jamaica with big dreams—and an Academic Achievement Scholarship helped her make them a reality. This financial support allowed her to focus on her studies, pursue leadership roles, and fully engage in campus life.

A Biology major with minors in Psychology and Chemistry, Tashna-Loy is passionate about science and hopes to enter the medical field, possibly in forensic pathology. Beyond academics, she has taken on leadership roles, mentoring fellow students through the R.I.S.E. Network and Project AIM, supporting international students, and serving as Vice President of the Caribbean Student Association.

Your Scholarship Journey Begins Now.

Remember that scholarship success requires both preparation and persistence. Start early, apply widely, and present your authentic self. Your hard work has already brought you this far—now it’s time to ensure it receives the recognition and support it deserves.

Ready to explore merit scholarship opportunities? St. John’s University offers great scholarship opportunities to future college students. Take the next step toward making your college dreams financially accessible by exploring our scholarship options today.

Learn more about St. John’s University’s scholarships.