Best Merit Scholarships California – Today in this article we are going to discuss comprehensively about the Best Merit Based Scholarships California. The Merit Based Scholarship California is only awarded to the students who are eligible and are currently residing in California and also to the out of state students. You also need to be a citizen of the United States to qualify for the scholarship. However, to get a scholarship the California students need to conduct research on their high school. There are also state aid programs, non profit organizations and local businesses that help out by providing financial assistance.
There are also other professional organizations that can help you with scholarship funds. It is identified that in between 2012 and 2017 the enrollment is about 3.5 percent. The Golden State is home to 408 two year schools and 309 four year schools. There are many schools offering scholarships that help in getting a degree more affordable. It has been also found that a four year private college in CA has cost individuals around $33,483 in tuition that is between 2017 to 2018. The average tuition fees in four-year public colleges for CA students is around $22,081. But when you live out of the states the tuition and fees are around $29,173 as stated by the NCES. If you are looking for some of the Best Merit Based Scholarship California then you are at the right place. What are you waiting for ? Go through the article and check it out.
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More About Merit Based Scholarship California
A merit based scholarship California offers financial awards to the students who have special achievement and are also academically excellent. You might be wondering that the merit based scholarship is only for the A-level students or those who are struggling financially but that is not the case.
There are many students who can qualify for the merit based scholarships in California even if they are not academically excellent or need financial requirements. But they need to demonstrate superior ability in one or more areas that can be in different fields.
The best thing about the scholarship is that it helps in covering university expenses and it can really help the Single Moms and also allows the students of diverse backgrounds to get a degree easily.
Another good thing about the merit-based scholarship is that they not only focus on grades but also other areas. You also need to note that all merit based scholarships are study oriented and therefore it opens the door for most of the students who have different talents. You can also find college education grants for single mothers.
But remember a portion of the merit aid goes to those students who are having high GPAs and the remaining funds are then allocated to the students with special skills that includes artistic talent, leadership, athletic ability, Hispanic students, Wit Community and many other areas. But remember that each scholarship has its own set of criteria to determine the eligible candidate.
The main purpose of merit based scholarships in California is to reward talent and talent comes in various forms. We have listed some of the most common achievements obtained after scholarship and sponsor providers.
Special Interests
Special Interests can be in many forms with scholarships. There are some scholarships that are mainly created for specific demographic groups that is based on disability, sexual orientation, religion, gender, ethnicity and other requirements.
The major you are mainly considering can help you to secure college scholarship organization. There are also many corporations and foundations that offer scholarships to encourage applications with professional interests like education, social justice, natural sciences, engineering, civil service and many more. There are some grants that also support immigrants, children of employees and asylum seekers.
Community Spirit
As you know, colleges are mostly interested in adding honest young people to their university community. If you fight for certain causes or volunteer them regularly, it can be with a soup kitchen or with a teen hotline. Your commitment to help others can help you in earning a merit based scholarship in California.
Leadership Capacity
You can also show your leadership skills by getting elected to the school government or you can be the captain of the basketball team or cheerleading team. The most important thing you need to accomplish is leadership skills to your team. If you are a good leader, you will be earning a merit based scholarship in California.
Artistic Talent
You might be naturally gifted and you are good at writing, dancing, music, painting or any other form of art. You can receive merit based scholarships in California. But remember these areas are quite a subject and artistic ability is a talent that is rewarded with a scholarship.
Athletics
As you already know the importance of student athletes in both high schools and colleges. There are Sports Grants , donations and other funding to help out the student-athletes. If you are good at any team sport and can demonstrate your athletic ability you can earn yourself a merit based scholarship in California.
Types of Merit Based Scholarships That Are Available in California
You can find different types of merit based scholarships in California that you can apply for. The sources of funding include community groups, religious organizations, nonprofits, individuals, colleges and other businesses. The scholarship can be really helpful as it offers education grants of various amounts.
However, there are organizations that offer money for one year and there are also other types that can renewable up to four years. But there are some rules and conditions to get some of the scholarships. You can also get a scholarship from your state government but remember you need to often attend a college in your state. There are also other conditions like maintaining a certain grade and also volunteering for any specific community projects.
List of Merit Based Scholarships California
There are many students who are attracted to merit based scholarships California as they offer the highest amount of money. For other individuals the grant is very prestigious, there is a Rhodes scholarship, Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship and Churchill scholarship. Scroll below to know more about some of the best scholarships for the undergraduates who are willing to study in the United States.
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship was named in the honor of two brothers Morris K. Udall and Steward L. Udall; they both were members of the Arizona House of Representatives. The foundation mainly offers three different types of scholar to the second year student and the juniors.
The second scholarships are for Alaska Natives and Native American who are interested in health care or in tribal politics. And the third scholarship is open for the second year and junior students who want to pursue their career in conserving the environment. The scholarship offers up to $7000 and the number of recipients are 55.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Barry Goldwater was a Republican presidential candidate in 1964 and also was an Arizona senator. The scholarship was created to honor his memory and his commitment towards public service. The scholarship award is mainly interred towards sophomores and juniors who want to pursue their career in disciplines like mathematics, engineering and natural sciences. The scholarship offers up to $7500 and the number of recipients that can qualify is around 400.
National Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship is mainly based on NMSQT and PSAT scores. There are approximately 16,000 students having the highest scores in 50 states are named as the semi-finalists. These students will receive a scholarship application package but they need to meet the academic requirements to advance to the final level.
The winners are mainly selected based on their skills and accomplishments. There are mainly three types of scholarships that are offered are company sponsored awards ( for the children of employees), university sponsored awards for the students of a particular school and national merit. The scholarship amount varies and they generally offer $2,500 for national merit and the number of recipients are around 7,600.
Foot Locker Scholarship
Foot Locker Scholarship Program is offered a four year scholarship to the athletes who are having a higher GPA. However, the scholarship amount is offered $20,000 and it is divided over four years. Therefore you do not have to renew it every year. You can also get an additional price that is Ken. C. Hicks Scholarship that is awarded to the top 20 finalists.
The athletes who are selected for this scholarship will be receiving an additional $5,000. However, the price is only for those high school students who are willing to attend four year college. They offer a financial award of $20,000 and it is divided into $5,000 each year. The number of recipients that benefit from the scholarship is 20.
Dell Researchers
Dell Scholars also offer funding related to tuition fees reimbursement. Apart from that you can also receive a free laptop from the brand and also offer money to purchase college textbooks. Alongside that they also support in completing college challenges and have a wide network of resources.
However, each applicant needs to be eligible for the Pell Grant, a federal fund that is provided to the undergraduates. But remember that Pell grants are based on the income of your family household. The financial reward offered is $20,000. The number of recipients that can benefit is 500.
Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
The Gates Millennium Scholarship Program was started by Bill and Melinda Gates. The program was designed for the exceptional minority students having financial requirements. The scholarships are mainly offered to the students in disciplines like mathematics, engineering and computer science.
If you want to complete higher education they will be receiving a scholarship for it. However, the price is renewable and the amount might vary according to the needs of the individual. The number of recipients that can benefit from the program is 1,000.
Coca-Cola Fellowship Foundation
Coca-Cola offers scholarships are offered to the students who are good in academics, have leadership skills and also done volunteer work. However, all the applicants need to attend any accredited college in the United States. Out of all the applications, 2,000 applicants will be nominated as semi finalists and then 250 will become finalists.
However, the interview procedure is quite intense after that the names of 150 winners will be announced. The remaining finalists will be receiving a scholarship of $1,000 each. They offer a financial reward of $20,000 and the number of recipients is 150.
Buick Achievers Scholarship
The Buick Achievers Scholarship was created by the General Motors Foundation. The scholarship offers renewable grants for students who are willing to study technology, engineering and other related subjects. However, the merit based scholarships required the application to have leadership potential and academic excellence. Financial requirements are also taken into consideration. They offer financial rewards up to $25,000 and the number of recipients is 50.
How To Obtain Merit Based Scholarship California
You can find thousands of regional and national merit-based scholarships for the students that are deserving. However, apart from the merit based scholarships California there are also other ways to fund your college education.
If you are looking for College Finance and student loans then you need up to date information on the overall procedure that is from panning to repayment. We want to provide you with all the information so that you can make your decision about post-secondary education.
Types of Organization That Offers Merit Based Scholarships California
Merit scholarships for higher studies are offered by colleges, universities and other private organizations. We have organized a list of merit based scholarships in California in four groups that are:
- Private Merit Scholarships
- Small Liberal Arts Colleges
- Private National Universities
- Public Colleges and Universities
Private Merit Scholarships California
Visionary Scholarship
- Amount – $1,000 to $5,000
- Eligibility – You need to be a grade 9 to 12 student in the United States and have academic achievement. The scholarship is mainly based on the merit of the student.
- Deadline – May 1
Equitable Excellence Scholarship
- Amount – $2,500 to $25,000.
- Eligibility – Must be a high performing US Citizen or legal resident of any 50 United States, D.C, Washington , Puerto Rico etc. The high school students who are planning to attend two or four year college or university.
- Deadline – December 15
Elks Most Valuable Scholarship
- Amount – Offers 500 Scholarships that range from $4,000 to $5,000.
- Eligibility – Students who are currently in high school and are citizens of the United States are eligible for the scholarship.
- Deadline – November 5
Coca Cola Scholarship
- Amount – $20,000
- Eligibility –School Students who are attending High School in USA
- Deadline – October 31
Burger King Scholarship
- Amount- Varies
- Eligibility – High School Students
- Deadline – December 15
Merit Scholarships in Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Oberlin College ( Oberlin, Ohio)
Oberlin college offers merit scholarships to the students on the basis of their academic contribution towards community and home school.
Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)
Grinnell College offers merit based scholarships California that ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 every year.
Macalester College (St. Paul, MN)
Macalester College offers merit scholarships to approx 50 percent of the first year students in the US. Apart from that they also offer merit scholarships for international students. The merit awards generally range from $2,000 to $64,000 and it is provided for over four years.
Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio)
Kenyon College also offers a scholarship to California that starts from $15,000 per year and also covers the full cost of tuition fees. Kenyon also offers merit grants to around 15 percent of the students that are best admitted. There are also scholarships for talented students in music, creative writing and art.
Denison University ( Granville, Ohio)
Denison University offers more than 1,000 scholarships to the freshmen. The scholarship amount varies from $2,000 to $46,000.
Merit Based Scholarships California in Private National Universities
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
The University of Rochester offers various types of merit scholarships for most of the students.
University of Miami (Miami, Florida)
The University of Miami offers a number of merit scholarships consisting of the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship and Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship.
University of Chicago ( Chicago, Illinois)
The University of Chicago offers merit scholarships and most of their scholarships are designed for first generation students.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas)
The Southern Methodist University offers a merit scholarship for full tuition, board and room. They also offer other scholarships that include prizes for students who are exploring specific fields like STEM, arts and engineering.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ( New York, NY)
The Rensselaer Medal Scholarship offers a 4 year merit scholarship offering a minimum of $15,000 each year.
New York University (New York, NY)
New York University offers need based and merit based programs to the students of the United States.
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
Lehigh University also offers merit scholarship programs and most of them are designed for the arts. You can check it under the “Academic merit awards and scholarships.
Georgetown University (Washington, D.C)
You can also check out Georgetown Incentive Scholarship if you are looking for need based assistance along with a merit component.
Elon University (Elon, North Carolina)
The Elon University offers need based and merit based programs to the students.
Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
Duke University offers 9 merit programs that offer full scholarships to the students.
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)
Case Western Reserve University offers three types of merit programs: the Alumni scholarship (merit scholarship with a needed component), the Satcher-Pamies (merit scholarship for minorities) and CWRU Dean’s Fellowship.
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
The Carnegie Scholarship is offered to the incoming freshmen who qualify for limited or no financial aid based on need.
Brandeis College (Waltham, MA)
Brandeis College offers six distinct programs and five of them are for the incoming freshmen and another one is for aspiring juniors.
Boston University (Boston, MA)
Boston University offers different types of scholarship opportunities to the students consisting of merit based and need based scholarships.
Boston College (Boston, MA)
Boston College offers full merit-based scholarship to 15 students; the program is also known as the presidential scholarship program. The best thing is that you do not need any separate application for this scholarship. The students can apply for it through the early action application procedure.
Merit Scholarships in Public Colleges and Universities
College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
The College of William and Mary offers 1693 scholarship programs and one of them is the Monroe scholarship program offering $3,000 for special accommodation and research.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
The University of Virginia offers Jefferson Scholar programs offering the scholars $26,000 each year. The international Jefferson scholars will be receiving an annual stipend that is over $53,000. The program also creates a network of current alumni and academics and also creates better opportunities for academics.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina offers various full merit scholarships to in-state and out-of -state students.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan also offers need based scholarships along with other merit based scholarships.
Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Georgia)
Georgia Tech also offers different types of merit programs and they also offer one of the most prestigious that is the President’s scholarship. The President’s Scholarship is generally offered to top 50 high school applicants.
University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, Colorado)
The University of Colorado at Boulder all offers different types of merit and need based scholarship programs. This program is mainly offered to in-state and outside students.
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley offers scholarships both merit and need based to the students.
Auburn University ( Auburn, AL)
Auburn University offers Presidential National Fellowship to National Achievement Finalists and National Merit Finalists. The program also offers scholarships to in-state and outside students. Apart from that they also provide them with other benefits that includes $1,000 for technology allowance.
Arizona State University ( Tempe, AZ)
The Arizona State University also offer a number of scholarship programs to the students that is need and merit based
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
The University of Alabama also has a wide range of merit programs that are easily available to the students who are in-state or outside the state.
Tips and Tricks To Apply For Merit Based Scholarships California
We have listed four tips and tricks that can help you in the application procedure for Merit Based Scholarships California.
Paying Attention To Deadline
There are some colleges that follow deadlines very strictly and therefore the students need to apply for the merit based scholarships California before the deadline. But remember that the deadline might vary from one college to another, so you need to be a little bit careful about it.
Find Specific Scholarship
As you know, the merit scholarship can vary from one college to another. There are some schools where all admitted students automatically get qualified for the merit scholarships.
However, in some colleges the students need to write an application, essay or give an interview to qualify for the scholarship application. Apart from that there are also a few colleges that offer merit based scholarships to the students who have specific talent in theater, music, art or any other
Remember To Apply for Financial Assistance If Needed
You should know that you can apply for both merit based scholarship California and also for financial aid if needed. But for that you need to submit your FAFSA and also other financial documents like CSS profile within the allotted time. This will surely ensure that you will be offered a potential scholarship that can be merit or need based.
Choosing The Right College
Most students make the biggest mistake while choosing the right college.There are many colleges that do not give much attention to merit scholarships. So, it is important to identify colleges that will offer the best merit based and need based scholarship to the students. If the college is offering a merit based scholarship to 25 percent of the application then remember you need to be in the top 25 percent to get the scholarship. Therefore it is important for you to be very wise while choosing the right college.
You can also check out this article about Best 15 Short Film Grants in the US.
Conclusion
I hope the article has provided you with all the information on the Best Merit Based Scholarships California. To qualify for the merit based scholarship California you must meet the eligibility requirements and must be a resident of the United States. We have already listed a number of scholarships that are offered by different schools and universities. Apart from the schools and colleges there are also nonprofits and businesses that help with financial aid to the students. Every scholarship has their own set of eligibility rules and deadlines, so you need to be aware of it. There are scholarships that are merit and need based scholarships to help out the students. If you know someone who is looking for Merit Based Scholarships California, please share this article with them. Thanks for reading the article till the end. I hope you have a great day ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
We are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions on Best Merit Based Scholarship California. Go through the questions and answer to gain additional knowledge on it.
Are there any merit based scholarships in California?
Yes, you can find many merit based scholarships in California that are offered by schools, colleges, universities, nonprofit and other businesses. But remember that eligibility requirements and deadlines vary from one college to another. So, you need to research before applying for the scholarship.
What type of organizations generally offer merit based scholarships?
There are mainly four types of organizations that offer merit based scholarships that include Public Colleges and Universities, Private National Universities, Small Liberal Arts Colleges and Private Merit Scholarships.
Am I eligible for merit based scholarships?
To check your eligibility you need to check out the eligibility requirement of the university from where you are going to get your scholarship. There are scholarships that are offered to those students who are in financial need. So, it is better for you to check the eligible requirements on the website of that particular university.
What are some public colleges and universities that offer Merit Scholarships?
There are a few public colleges and universities that offer Merit Scholarships including University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL), Arizona State University ( Tempe, AZ), University of California, Berkeley, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia) and many more.
How much does the Coca Cola Scholarship offer?
The Coca Cola Scholarship offers an amount of $20,000 and the school students who are attending high school in the USA are eligible for it. However, the deadline is on 31st October. So, you need to submit your application before the deadline.