Merit-based scholarships: How to find and apply

The Balkhi Foundation Higher Education Scholarship seeks to help talented young people make college more attainable through a scholarship. These annual renewable awards are granted to exceptional high school seniors accepted to a US based college or university who demonstrate a financial need. An ideal applicant for a Balkhi Foundation Scholarship is a student who has shown dedication to their academics as well as their personal goals whether that is through community service, creation of a business or invention, or significant dedication to academic pursuits. Students should be self starters who have shown tenacity in the face of challenges and a hunger for success. Previous Balkhi Foundation Scholars have represented a diverse variety of backgrounds and high school experiences including community service, writing and publishing novels, completing university level research or associates degrees in high school, or being identified as leaders within their school and community. Applicants must provide the contact information (including email address) for two teachers that can speak to their academic achievement. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Honors Research Funding Award is open to full-time continuing students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 who are official, active members of the Idaho State University Honors Program. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Horton Research Grant is a grant awarded to Ph.D. students studying hydrology, water resources, or a closely related field. The grant is awarded to up to three students each year. It is funded by the Robert E. Horton Fund for Hydrologic Research to promote excellence through encouraging the next generation of professionals in the hydrological sciences. Applicants must be a current AGU student member and enrolled in a doctoral program in hydrology, water resources, or a closely related field such as water resources policy science. An executive summary that includes a dissertation title, problem statement, research objectives, proposed methods, and progress to date must be submitted. A statement that explains to the selection committee why this grant is important to the applicant's dissertation, how it will allow work to be carried out beyond that originally planned, and how it will be budgeted is also required. Please also include any additional supporting information. Individual letters of recommendation in support of the proposal from the applicant's main faculty research supervisor and another member of their thesis committee must also be submitted. Please visit the award's website for more information.

Scholarship America has established a scholarship program to help students planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in higher education programs. Applicants must be current college undergraduates from any U.S. state; or high school seniors or graduates from Bayfield WI or Cleveland MN. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). Applicants must plan to enroll or be studying to obtain their first Associate's or first Bachelor's degree. Scholarship semifinalists are selected on the basis of financial need, academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, and work experience. Awards are renewable for up to three additional years or until a first bachelor's degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Additionally, if selected as a semifinalist, an online recommendation will need to be completed by a teacher, counselor, or work supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact Scholarship America for more information.

The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship was established by the spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members to address the educational need in the congressional districts in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships, which disproportionately affect people of color. This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree in a variety of fields. Applicants must reside or attend an academic institution in a CBC Member's District, current high school seniors are eligible to apply. They must exhibit leadership and be active in the community. Applicants must submit a personal statement, in a video form. Please discuss your academic interests and/or professional goals and how you will make change in your community with your education. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. for more information.

This merit-based scholarship is awarded to in-state students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, with preference given to residents of Prince George's County or students who graduated from a high school in the county. The scholarship will be merit based, although financial need may also be considered.

The Colleen Scarisbrick Help America Hear Scholarship is dedicated to empowering students with hearing loss by providing both financial support and advanced hearing technology to help them succeed. This year, ten deserving students will receive a financial award to support their college or vocational education, and a pair of top-of-the-line ReSound prescription hearing aids, custom-fitted to their specific hearing needs. Applicants must be high school seniors who have a hearing loss, which requires the use of hearing aids or Cochlear Implants in their daily life. The purpose of this scholarship is to help students with hearing loss reach their full potential by giving them a financial boost and the gift of sound. This will further allow the students to build confidence and self-esteem as they prepare for college or vocational school. Applicants must submit two letters of reference, one must be from a teacher, a guidance counselor, coach etc., and one must be from an individual outside of the applicant's school and family. A signed photo release and a signed HIPAA form by a parent/legal guardian must be submitted if the student is a minor. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards more than 70 scholarships to selected scholars. An applicant must be a citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized, and must be at least a sophomore applying for their junior year, or a junior applying to receive a scholarship for their senior year. They must be enrolled in one of the participating universities in the Scholarship Program. Additionally, nominated students must be enrolled for both semesters for the ASF-supported academic year. Applicants must be seeking a STEM degree with intentions to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degrees. Students intending to pursue a practice in professional medicine are not eligible for the scholarship. However, those intending to perform biomedical research are eligible. The Foundation only accepts nominations for the Astronaut Scholarship from its affiliated and participating universities. If a student is interested in being nominated, they should contact a member of their university's faculty regarding consideration. Students may also contact the university liaison for more details regarding the internal process. Two letters of recommendation are required. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information about the scholarship and the complete list of partner universities.

The Horacio A. Fasce Endowed Scholarship is available to students who are juniors or first-semester seniors in good academic standing. Students must have declared a minor in Italian. They must obtain a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.2 GPA in Italian. Preference will be given to students who have taken at least two Italian courses at the 3000 level before receiving the scholarship. Alternatively, the student may have demonstrated proficiency in Italian at this level. The award must be toward the Study Abroad program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Students must submit two letters of recommendation.