What Are Merit-Based Scholarships and How Do I Win One?
When you first begin your search for scholarships, you should look at both government and private organizations for opportunities that suit your interests and academic profile. Merit-based scholarships are some of the most commonly awarded to students. These are a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. You can receive one if you have a high GPA during your high school career, or if you have a high score on the SAT, ACT, or other qualifying exam. Some do not focus on academic excellence, however. They judge merit based on other accomplishments in the arts, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Merit-based scholarships provide college students with a lot of relief in terms of paying their tuition and living expenses. They are an excellent way to increase your chances of successfully completing a degree program and making use of your intelligence, skills, and talents.
What Can You Get a Merit-Based Scholarship For?
Merit-based scholarships are awarded for a variety of traits or accomplishments. Some focus on academic achievement and are usually awarded when your GPA is at least 3.5 or higher. Others focus on standardized test scores and check to see if your SAT or ACT score is in the top half of the respective test’s scoring range. There are many exceptional students all across the country, however, and these general requirements will probably not be enough to get you a scholarship.
Merit-based money also comes to those who excel at sports, art, music, writing, or highly specific subjects like government leadership or environmental studies. No matter what you are good at, you can probably find a scholarship that you can apply for.
How to Successfully Apply for a Merit-Based Scholarship
First, seek out as many merit-based scholarships as possible. Ask your target college's financial aid office. Realize that Ivy League schools do not give these out ever, but that you can find many opportunities at public and private colleges and universities across the nation. One of the biggest providers of this type of financial help is the National Merit Scholarship Program. Annually, they give out tens of millions of dollars' worth of free money to exceptional students.
One of the most important steps to winning a merit-based scholarship is to write a great essay. Consider the following questions when crafting your essay: Who are you? What are your passions? What makes you stand out? Why should an institution invest in you? Even if the scholarship packet asks a specific question or requires a more focused topical approach, these questions form the foundation of why you write the essay to begin with.
Contact the organization who awards the scholarship and ask what they require if they award it based on merit. Apply early but do not sacrifice quality for speed. Some scholarships may only be given once or twice per year but others may accept applications throughout the year. No matter what merit-based scholarship you go after, you can be sure that there are hundreds or even thousands of other hopefuls looking for a financial reward too so it will take an investment of time to win.