To help make the search a bit easier, we've put together several guides on various types of award programs. If you're into debate, for example, you might search for "debate scholarships," "debate merit scholarships," or even "debate scholarship [specific school name].". A University System of Maryland Member Institution, download the free Adobe Acrobat reader by clicking here, Available to new and returning full-time undergraduate students, Available to full-time transfer students pursuing their first bachelor's degree, Must complete FAFSA by March 1 for the award year, Available to new and returning full-time graduate students, Eligible to full-time, first-time, first semester freshmen, Minimum GPA of 3.5, SAT reading and math score of 1200 or ACT score of 25, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses increase chances of receiving scholarship, New and returning full-time students must complete an application and essay, Award amount varies based on funding and student eligibility, Available to full-time transfer students from a community college with an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, For all U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? It’s often easier to find pure merit-based scholarships through schools than it is to find them through private or nonprofit organizations. Funds may not be available to award all eligible students. Some of the most well-known (and most generous) merit awards are offered through private and nonprofit organizations. Meet with your guidance or college counselor regularly (perhaps once a quarter) to check in about college plans, grades, career goals, etc. It’s often easier to find pure merit-based scholarships through schools than it is to find them through private or nonprofit organizations. If you are a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist, or a National Hispanic Merit semi-finalist, you are eligible to join the community of Conroy Scholars, our top students who receive full financial support for their studies at NMSU. It also gives you a chance to get feedback on drafts of essays. This means you’re responsible for tackling any weaknesses in your performance before they become bigger problems. You must be a Maryland resident at the time of the application. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? For example, if you want to apply for a scholarship based on GPA, you will have had to maintain a high GPA since the beginning of high school in order to be a competitive applicant. If you’re looking specifically for schools that offer generous merit awards that aren’t dependent on financial need, you should check out our guide to, Unless you’re a true stand-out performer in another space, I’d encourage you to, before expending energy on other pursuits. New students are automatically considered for merit-based and BSU Assist awards based on the SAT/ACT scores and GPA provided on admissions applications. An initial plan to return to campus in the fall 2020 semester is now They’re one of the best forms of financial aid because they’re free money that you never have to pay back, often with few to no strings attached. 3.3 cumulative GPA and pass 15 new Las Cruces campus credits per semester: No application required. You don’t have to be perfect - your later high school years will matter more than your freshman or even sophomore year - but you do need to demonstrate a pattern of consistent high-achievement or consistent improvement. They’re especially great options for high-achieving students who may not qualify for much need-based financial aid. Just like with your college applications, you only have one chance to make a good impression when you apply for merit scholarships (especially when it comes to the most competitive awards, where scholarship committees have to process thousands of apps). SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Check out our guide to the 12 easiest scholarship applications. Not all schools offer merit scholarships - many top private schools, for example, only offer need-based financial aid. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. New students are automatically considered for merit-based and BSU Assist awards based on the SAT/ACT scores and GPA provided on admissions applications.