Top 10 Merit Based Scholarships for Students in 2023

If are you looking for a comprehensive list of some of the Merit-Based Scholarships for USA and International Students in 2023, then this article will provide you with the information you need.

Merit-Based scholarships are scholarship awards that students are given based on their extreme academic success in their previous level of study. This kind of scholarship is open to USA and/or international students as the case may be. Consequently, there are tons of Merit-based scholarships for international students including students who are studying in their home country.

Merit-based scholarships and financial awards are not limited to the student’s grades but take into consideration factors such as good leadership roles occupied by the applicant, ACT or SAT scores, including extracurricular activities, and school and community involvement.

Unlike a need-based scholarship or financial aid, merit-based scholarships don’t take into account the financial state of the applicant. Here are some top merit-based scholarships available for students to apply for.

Can International Students get Merit Scholarships?

International students are always interested to know whether or not merit-based scholarships are only for US students. The good news is there are tons of merit-based scholarships out there open to USA and international students.

One of the top countries offering merit-based scholarships for international students in the United States of America, there are many grants and financial opportunities for families living in and outside of the United States.

As an international student, you are not eligible for funds specifically for US citizens, however, since American universities often prefer international students, the number of merit-based scholarships for international students has increased exponentially, also in other countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada etc.

Also Read: 11 Study Abroad Scholarships for International Students 2023-2024

How much are merit-based scholarships?

The merit-based international scholarship money pool is estimated to be $ 22 billion deep and has many international students swimming in it.

Merit-based scholarships are based on academic performance or proven talent in the fields of athletics, art, music and other special interests. Most platforms offering this kind of scholarship do not take financial needs into account.

Merit-based grants range from $1,000 in public schools to full rides at private schools worth up to $ 35,000 a year, though most are just between that. There are websites those list prices at hundreds of schools. The average annual price is $5,000.

Also Read: 12 Medical School Scholarships for International Students In Canada 2023

What is a full merit-based scholarship?

Most students dream of receiving a merit-based scholarship that fully covers the tuition fees. It is hard to believe that there is anything better. These full merit-based scholarships are special because they cover not only tuition fees but also other basic costs such as accommodation and meals, books, travel and other accessories.

Do I Qualify for a Merit Scholarship?

As the name implies, to qualify for a merit-based scholarship, you must be academically prowess, be involved in community services, must be talented in one sport, as the case may be. There must be something you are good at to get this scholarship; this depends on the interest of the scholarship donor.

Once you have reached the final round, you must meet high standards and academic requirements. To become a finalist in any merit-based scholarship program, students have to meet the requirement set by the scholarship donor. Academic prowess is always a must for this kind of scholarship.

List of Merit-Based Scholarships for USA and International Students

We have taken the time to compile a list of some of the merit-based scholarships for international students. If you are an international student and wish to apply for a merit-based scholarship, check out these opportunities below.

Bright Flight Scholarship Merit-Based Scholarships

Amount: $1,000-$3,000

Applicant must be a Missouri resident graduating from high school and score in the top 3% of students in the state taking the ACT or SAT.

Fulbright Scholar Program

Amount: Varies

The Fulbright Scholar Program embeds Merit-based scholarships that offer teaching and research awards to international students in the U.S. at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Opportunities are open to people regardless of race, colour, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, etc.

Employees and immediate family members affiliated with the U.S. Department of State are ineligible to apply. See the official site for details.

Also Read: How Admission in US Universities for International Students Works in 2023

Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation’s Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

The Merit-based scholarship awards assistance to qualified students attending Florida tertiary Institutions including Colleges and universities who have an interest in following stormwater analysis and research, management or finance.

Graduate student applicants in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, and public administration (or closely related fields) are eligible to apply.

Creative Biolabs Scholarship Program

Amount: $1,000

Students worldwide are welcome and eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students, majoring in a science-connected field like biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology, are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants must have a 3.0 GPA to be considered.

Richard and Audrey Barnes Nursing Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Applicant should be seeking an undergrad nursing degree and also be a member of an underrepresented minority community or group.

SimpliSafe STEM Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

SimpliSafe scholarship is for college students within the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The program provides monetary help to Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD students enrolled in STEM degree programs.

The applicant should be a United States of America national or legal permanent resident.

To apply for this scholarship visit https://simplisafescholars.org/, or send an email to scholars@simplisafe.com.

Graduate Education Merit-Based Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Tons of scholarship awards are available of up to $5,000 each, from which fees are paid. students who are challenged with their vision, and who are at their graduate level, are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

Also Read: List of the Best Boarding Schools in the US in 2023

Hawai’i Community Foundation Scholarships

Amount: Varies

Hawaii Community Foundation is providing a wealth of monetary support to qualified students throughout Hawaii.

With over 250 scholarships, Hawaii students will surely obtain a scholarship that applies to them.

American Indian Law School Scholarship

Amount: Varies

The American Indian College Fund will award the second American Indian Law School Scholarship to a first-year student in the 2021-22 Harvard Law School.

The Scholarship covers all required costs of attendance, including tuition for the three-year course of study at Harvard Law School for one Native student.

The eligible applicants must be American Indian or Alaska Natives who are enrolled tribal members, or who are lineal descendants of an enrolled parent or grandparent.

Hatton W. Sumners Scholarships

Amount: Varies

Students ranking within the top third of their current class on an annual basis in the city of Texa and Oklahoma to are advised to send their application for this Merit-based Scholarships

The selection committee can review educational performance, civic engagement, and leadership abilities.

Idaho Post-secondary Credit Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Applicant must be a resident of Idaho with 10 or more post-secondary education credits at the time of graduation or graduate from high school with an associate’s degree.

Must have obtained a corresponding academic scholarship clearly merit-based from a business or Industrial, or entities representing a business or an industry.

Also Read: 10 Psychology Scholarships For International Students in Canada 2023

Cap Lathrop Scholarship

Amount: Varies

The Cap Lathrop Scholarship is offered to Alaska Natives with preference given to descendants of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) who are majoring in broadcast, telecommunications, business, engineering, journalism, and other media-related fields.

The applicant must be pursuing a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate degree program with a major in broadcast, telecommunications, business, engineering, journalism, and other media-related fields.

Conclusion: How do you get a merit-based scholarship?

Once you’ve decided that you want to apply for a merit-based scholarship, you can increase your chances of success with these tips.

1. Apply early

Merit-based scholarships are competitive and it also takes a lot of time to apply for such awards. You will often need to collect transcripts, records, and letters of recommendation. Also, many sponsors of such awards ask you to write a detailed and clear essay about one’s academic goals. Allow time for these steps so you can be perceived to be organized and focused.

2. Keep your grades up

Find the awards you are eligible for based on your skills, grades and test scores. As a rule, it is important that you make it a top priority to get your grades at their best. Also bear in mind that getting a Merit-based Award is not all there is. If you get a scholarship that you can use at the institution you want to get into, you will win very big.

3. Take proactive steps

Becoming a volunteer, high achiever, athlete or artist requires constant effort. Many scholarship sponsors are looking for this consistency. Anytime you don’t reach your goals, you can fix those problems before they snowball. To take proactive steps, it may be helpful to meet regularly with teachers, coaches, and your counsellor. Not only will this ensure you stay on track, but it will also guarantee you potential references.

4. Plan to excel on the ACT/SAT

Standardized test scores and grades are a big part of merit-based scholarships. Due to the nervousness and lack of preparation planning on test day, many students do not perform as well as they would like. Study and prepare (a lot) for the ACT and SAT exams. To do this, you have to understand the material, how long to study, and solid practice on the day.

5. Find good matches

Even if you meet the scholarship requirements, not every merit scholarship you find is ideal. It is essential that you do your scholarship research with more purpose.

Once you have come up with a list of scholarships that matches your academic goals checklist, submit the completed application form and necessary documents on or before the deadline.

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