{"id":6283,"date":"2020-06-01T10:29:01","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T10:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarshipowl.com\/blog\/?p=6283"},"modified":"2021-03-24T16:18:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T16:18:33","slug":"which-colleges-offer-the-best-merit-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scholarshipowl.com\/blog\/find-scholarships\/which-colleges-offer-the-best-merit-scholarships\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Colleges Offer the Best Merit Scholarships?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WhichIf you are a high school student who has performed well in school, you can apply for <\/span>merit scholarships<\/span><\/a>. Merit scholarships award talented students with free money for college.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike <\/span>need-based scholarships<\/span><\/a>, merit scholarships do not take into account a student\u2019s financial background. Instead, they award students for their achievements. Students win merit scholarships for having excellent grades and leadership skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many schools award incoming freshmen with merit scholarships. They do this to attract strong and talented students to their schools. Of course, some schools offer better merit scholarships than others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to find out which colleges offer the best merit scholarships.<\/span><\/p>\n

Colleges With the Largest Merit Scholarships<\/b><\/h2>\n

The following list includes ten colleges that offer the <\/span>largest<\/b> merit scholarships to students.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
School<\/span><\/td>\n% of freshman receiving merit scholarships who aren\u2019t receiving need-based aid<\/span><\/td>\nAverage award amount<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duke University<\/span><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n$74,447<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Washington and Lee University<\/span><\/td>\n11%<\/span><\/td>\n$45,742<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Swarthmore College<\/span><\/td>\n3%<\/span><\/td>\n$43,252<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hollins University<\/span><\/td>\n100%<\/span><\/td>\n$35,233<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wesleyan University<\/span><\/td>\n2%<\/span><\/td>\n$35,118<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beloit College<\/span><\/td>\n100%<\/span><\/td>\n$34,507<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bard College<\/span><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n$33,601<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Albion\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n100%<\/span><\/td>\n$32,013<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hartwick<\/span><\/td>\n96%<\/span><\/td>\n$31,302<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clarkson University<\/span><\/td>\n89%<\/span><\/td>\n$30,928<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As you see in the chart, the percentage of students who receive merit scholarships differs a lot. At Hollins University, 100% of students receive merit scholarships. But, at Wesleyan, only 2% of students receive a merit award. While the awards are high at both schools, you are much more likely to come away with a merit scholarship if you get accepted to Hollins University.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t have a perfect 4.0 GPA, you can still win merit scholarships. How? Apply to the right schools! Let\u2019s look at other colleges and universities (aside from the ones mentioned above)\u00a0 that offer merit scholarships to a high percentage of students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
School<\/span><\/td>\nPercentage of students receiving merit scholarships<\/span><\/td>\nAverage award amount<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cooper Union<\/span><\/td>\n51%<\/span><\/td>\n$24,338<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trinity University<\/span><\/td>\n49%<\/span><\/td>\n $20,549<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Illinois Institute of Technology<\/span><\/td>\n36%<\/span><\/td>\n$24,787<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DePauw University<\/span><\/td>\n39%<\/span><\/td>\n $20,562<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Case Western Reserve University<\/span><\/td>\n33%<\/span><\/td>\n$23,582<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John Brown University<\/span><\/td>\n50%<\/span><\/td>\n$15,114<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Centre University<\/span><\/td>\n37%<\/span><\/td>\n $22,457<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Denison University<\/span><\/td>\n41%<\/span><\/td>\n$21,862<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gustavus Adolphus College<\/span><\/td>\n28%<\/span><\/td>\n$22,283<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Where Is the Best Place to Find Merit Scholarships?<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you are searching for schools that award the most merit scholarships, forget the Ivies. These schools get tons of applicants with impressive credentials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To find merit-based scholarships, turn to less selective colleges and universities, like those listed in the second chart. These schools want to attract high-achieving schools to increase their rank. Your chances of winning merit scholarships are higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Do You Need to Win a Merit Scholarship?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Merit scholarships are competitive. Here are some of our tips on winning a merit scholarship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n