Find Merit Based Scholarships California
Merit Based Scholarships California can be awarded to eligible students residing in California and out-of-state students. You must also be a citizen of the United States. To get a scholarship, California students must research their high school.
Local businesses, nonprofits, and even state aid programs can offer financial assistance. In addition, professional organizations can provide scholarship funds.
Enrollment is also up 3.5% between 2012 and 2017. The Golden State is home to 309 four-year schools and 408 two-year schools. Many offer scholarships to make obtaining a degree more affordable.
Four-year private colleges in CA cost an average of $33,483 in tuition from 2017 to 2018. That’s less for four-year public colleges, with average tuition fees of $22,081 for CA students. In contrast, the tuition and fees are $29,173 if you live out of state, as reported by the NCES.
Merit Based Scholarships California
A merit based scholarships California is a financial award for academic excellence or other special achievement. While many may think that merit-based scholarships are only for A-level students or those in financial need, this is not always the case.
Regardless of their education or financial situation, many students are eligible for merit based scholarships California as long as they demonstrate superior ability in one or more areas.
The scholarships help cover university expenses, which is of great help for most families specially for Single Moms and allows students of diverse backgrounds to earn a degree.
The good thing about merit-based scholarships is that they focus on more than grades. Not all merit-based scholarships are study-oriented, which opens the door for a group of students with diverse talents to get a college education grant for single mothers too.
While a portion of the merit aid goes to students with high GPAs, the remaining funds are allocated to students with special skills, such as athletic ability, artistic talent, leadership skills, Hispanic students, wit community and other special interests. Each scholarship has its own selection criteria to determine who is eligible.
The purpose of merit based scholarships California is to reward talent, and talent comes in many forms. Below are some of the most common achievements sought after by sponsors or scholarship providers.
Athletics
Student-athletes are important to both high schools and colleges: team Sports Grants attract alumni donations and other funding. If you are good at any team sport or demonstrate superior athletic ability, there are many merit based scholarships California available to you.
Artistic Talent
If you have a natural gift for painting, music, dancing, writing, or some other form of art, you may be able to receive merit based scholarships California. These areas are generally more subjective, but artistic ability remains a talent that can be rewarded with a scholarship.
Leadership Capacity
Leadership skills include being elected to the school government or being the captain of the basketball team or the cheerleader team. The most important thing is what you have accomplished under your leadership.
Community Spirit
Colleges are interested in adding honest young people to their university community. If you champion certain causes or volunteer regularly, whether it’s with a teen hotline or a soup kitchen, your commitment to helping others can earn you a merit based scholarships California.
Special Interests
With scholarships, special interests can take many forms. Some scholarships are created for specific demographic groups based on ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other unique requirements.
The major you are considering can also help you secure a college scholarship organization. Many foundations and corporations offer scholarships to encourage applicants with certain professional interests, such as education, engineering, civil service, natural sciences, and social justice. Some grants support immigrants, asylum seekers or the children of employees.
Types Of Merit Based Scholarships California Available
There are several types of merit based scholarships California you can apply for. Sources of funding include businesses, individuals, colleges, nonprofits, religious organizations, and community groups.
The scholarships offer helpful education grants of varying amounts. While some provide money for one year, others are renewable for up to four years.
However, some scholarships are subject to conditions. If you get a scholarship from your state government, you often have to attend a college in that state. Other conditions may include maintaining a certain minimum grade point average or volunteering for specific community projects.
Top 8 Merit Based Scholarships California
For many students, the most attractive merit based scholarships California are the ones that offer the most money. For others, they are very prestigious, such as the Rhodes scholarship, the Churchill scholarship, the Marshall scholarship and the Harry S. Truman scholarship.
Read on to learn about some of the best scholarships for undergraduates who want to study in the United States.
Buick Achievers Scholarship
Financial Reward: up to $25,000
Number of Recipients: 50
This award was created by the General Motors Foundation. It offers renewable grants for students who wish to study engineering, technology and other related subjects.
This merit based scholarships California requires applicants to have academic excellence and leadership potential. Financial need is also taken into consideration.
Coca-Cola Fellowship Foundation
Financial Reward: $20,000
Number of Recipients: 150
Coca-Cola offers scholarships to students based on their academic performance, volunteer work, and leadership skills. All applicants must plan to attend an accredited college in the United States.
Of all the applicants, only 2,000 are nominated as semi-finalists and 250 become finalists. There is then an intense interview process, after which 150 winners are named. The remaining finalists each receive a scholarship of $1,000.
Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
Financial Reward: variable
Number of Recipients: 1,000
Bill and Melinda Gates started the Gates Millennium Scholars program for “exceptional minority students with significant financial need”. The scholarships are intended for students interested in disciplines such as computer science, engineering and mathematics.
If any of these academics want to continue their higher education, they also receive scholarships for that. The price is renewable and the amount varies according to needs.
Dell Researchers
Financial Reward: $20,000
Number of Recipients: 500
Dell Scholars provide funding for tuition fees reimbursement. In addition, fellows receive a brand new laptop for free and money for college textbooks, as well as one-on-one support for college challenges and an extensive network of resources.
All applicants must be eligible for the Pell Grant, a federal fund for all undergraduates. Pell grants are based on the income of the family household.
Foot Locker Scholarship
Financial Reward: $20,000, divided into $5,000 per year
Number of Recipients: 20
Foot Locker scholarship program offers a four-year scholarship to athletes with a high GPA. The scholarship amount is $20,000 spread over four years, so you don’t need to renew every year.
There is an additional prize, the Ken C. Hicks Scholarship, awarded to one of the 20 finalists. The athlete selected for this scholarship receives an additional $5,000. The price is only for high school students who wish to attend four-year college.
National Scholarship Program
Financial Reward: variable, but $2,500 for national merit
Number of Recipients: around 7,600
The National Merit Scholarship is based on PSAT / NMSQT scores. About 16,000 students with the highest scores in the 50 states are named semi-finalists. These students then receive scholarship application packages and must meet certain academic requirements to advance to the finalist level.
Winners are then chosen based on their accomplishments and skills. The three types of scholarships available are National Merit, company-sponsored awards (often for children of employees), and university-sponsored awards for students accepted into a particular school.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Financial Reward: up to $7,500
Number of Recipients: Around 400
Barry Goldwater was an Arizona senator and Republican presidential candidate in 1964. The scholarship was created to honor his memory and his commitment to public service.
The award is intended for sophomores and juniors who wish to pursue careers in disciplines such as the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Financial Reward: up to $7,000
Number of Recipients: 55
The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation was named in honor of two brothers, both members of the Arizona House of Representatives. The foundation offers three types of scholarships for second year students and juniors.
Two are only for Native Americans and Alaska Natives interested in health care and / or tribal politics. The third is open to all second year and junior students interested in a career in conservation or the environment.
Obtain A Merit Based Scholarships California
Thousands of national and regional merit-based scholarships are available for deserving students.
However, merit based scholarships California are not the only way to fund college education. If you are considering student loans, College Finance has up-to-date information on the entire process from planning to repayment. We want you to make the most informed decision about your post-secondary education.
Organization Offers Merit Based Scholarships California
Merit scholarships for higher studies can be awarded by colleges and universities, as well as private organizations. Below we have organized the best merit based scholarships California in the following groups:
- Public colleges and universities
- Private national universities
- Small liberal arts colleges
- Private merit scholarships
1. Merit Scholarships In Public Colleges And Universities
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Alabama has a wide range of merit programs available to students both within and outside the state.
Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
- ASU offers students a number of generous scholarship programs based on need and merit.
Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
- Offers the Presidential National Fellowship to National Merit Finalists and National Achievement Finalists
- This program awards full scholarships to in-state and outside students, along with several other benefits (including a $1,000 technology allowance)
University of California, Berkeley
- UC-Berkeley offers scholarships based on both need and merit.
University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, Colorado)
- UC-Boulder offers a variety of merit and need-based scholarship programs for in-state and outside students.
Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Several merit programs are offered, the largest and most prestigious of which is the President’s scholarship.
- The President’s Scholarship is offered to 50 of the top high school applicants.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- The University of Michigan primarily offers need-based scholarships, but also several merit scholarships.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Several full merit scholarships are available for in-state and out-of-state students.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
- For UVa’s Jefferson Scholars program, state scholars receive $26,000 annually, and foreign or international Jefferson scholars will receive an annual stipend of over $53,000.
- This program creates a network of current academics and alumni, while providing a variety of structured enrichment opportunities for academics.
College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
- Merit programs include the 1693 scholarship program and the Monroe scholarship program ($3,000 research allowance, special accommodation option)
2. Merit Based Scholarships California In Private National Universities
Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
- Offers a full merit-based scholarship (the Presidential Scholarship Program) to 15 students
- No separate application is required to be considered for the scholarship, although students must apply through the early action application process.
Boston University (Boston, MA)
- BU offers generous scholarship opportunities, including need-based and merit-based scholarships.
Brandeis College (Waltham, MA)
- Six distinct programs available, including five for incoming freshmen (including one for aspiring juniors)
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- The Carnegie Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen who qualify for little or no financial aid based on need.
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)
- Three distinct merit programs offered: the CWRU Dean’s Fellowship, the Satcher-Pamies (merit scholarship for minorities) and the Alumni scholarship (merit scholarship with a need component)
Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
- Duke offers 9 merit programs that include full scholarships
Elon University (Elon, North Carolina)
- Elon offers merit and need based programs for students.
Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)
- Check out Georgetown Incentive Scholarships for need-based assistance with a merit component.
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
- A number of merit scholarship programs are offered, several of which are specific to the arts (see under “Academic merit awards / scholarships”)
New York University (New York, NY)
- NYU offers a mix of merit and need-based programs for students
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)
- The Rensselaer Medal scholarship is a 4-year merit scholarship of at least $15,000 per year.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas)
- SMU offers merit scholarships up to full tuition and room / board!
- Other scholarships also include prizes for students in specific fields (such as engineering, arts, and STEM)
University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
- UChicago offers merit scholarships and scholarships specifically for first generation students.
University of Miami (Miami, Florida)
- A number of merit scholarships are available, including the Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship and the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship.
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
- The University of Rochester offers a wide variety of merit scholarships for all types of students
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California)
- USC offers a number of merit scholarships for full tuition, half tuition, and terms.
Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)
- All students are considered for partial scholarships by simply submitting their application
- There are 130 full scholarships awarded which require a separate scholarship application (due December 5th)
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Full scholarships as well as summer scholarships for study abroad, research or service projects will be awarded to 250 students; other smaller merit programs are also available
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
- WFU offers a wide variety of merit programs to incoming students, including general merit scholarships (such as the Reynolds scholarships) and scholarships recognizing achievement in the fields of art, dance, debate, music music and theater (Presidential scholarships for distinguished achievement)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)
- The Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers merit scholarships to students ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per year.
Merit Scholarships In Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Denison University (Granville, Ohio)
- Denison offers over 1,000 scholarships to freshmen
- Scholarships range from $2,000 to $46,000
Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio)
- Merit based scholarships California range from $15,000 per year to the full cost of tuition fees
- Kenyon grants merit aid to around 15% of the best admitted students
- Scholarships for talented students in art, creative writing, and music are also available
Macalester College (St. Paul, MN)
- Merit scholarships awarded to approximately 50% of first-year U.S. students
- Macalester (unlike many large schools) also offers merit scholarships for international students
- Merit awards range from $2,000 to $64,000 over four years
Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)
- Grinnell offers several merit based scholarships California programs ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per year
Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio)
- Oberlin offers merit scholarships based on academic contributions as well as “contributions to the student’s home school and community.”
Private Merit Based Scholarships California
Burger King scholarship program
- Eligibility: high school students
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: December 15
Coca Cola Scholarship
- Eligibility: High School Class of 2020 Attending High School in USA
- Amount: $20,000
- Deadline: October 31
Elks Most Valuable Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current high school students who are citizens of the United States is eligible to apply
- Amount: 500 scholarships valued at $4,000 to $5,000
- Deadline: November 5
Equitable Excellence Scholarship
- Eligibility: High performing US citizens or legal residents of the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico who are high school students planning to attend two or four year college or university
- Amount: $2,500, $10,000 or $25,000
- Deadline: December 15
Visionary Scholarship
- Eligibility: Any grade 9-12 student in the United States with academic achievement (scholarship selection is based on merit)
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
- Deadline: May 1, 2021
Tips For Applying For Merit Based Scholarships California
Here are six important things you need to know if you want to win a merit based scholarships California:
Choose The Right Colleges
One of the biggest mistakes students make when building their college roster is not paying enough attention to merit scholarships.
Typically, you want to identify the colleges where your admissions “stats” correspond to the percentage of students who have received Merit Based Aid.
So, if a college offers merit scholarships to 25% of applicants, you should be in the top 25% of applicants when it comes to test scores and grade point average. Scatter plots are a great way to gauge how your GPA and test scores stack up.
Search For Specific Scholarships
Merit scholarships may vary from college to college. In some schools, all admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
At other colleges, students will be required to write an essay, separate application, or interview as part of the scholarship application process. Some colleges will even offer merit scholarships for students who have a specific talent in art, music, theater, or some other field.
Pay Attention To Your Deadlines
Some colleges will require students to apply before a deadline to be eligible for merit based scholarships California. Make sure that you apply within the required deadlines (remember that this deadline may be different from the admission deadline).
Remember To Also Apply For Financial Assistance As Needed
Remember that you can apply for both merit based scholarships California and financial aid as needed! Make sure to submit your FAFSA and any other required financial aid documents, such as the CSS profile, by the allotted time.
This will ensure that you are considered for all potential scholarships – on merit and as needed – at the colleges on your list.
- Best Of Luck For Merit Based Scholarships California.