Getting a merit award can be a dream come true for any student, particularly for pupils who have to face the financial barrier. The Merit Awards provided by the colleges in the form of financial aid act as much-needed support to academically bright students who would not be able to pursue college otherwise.
This incredible assistance also brings recognition and adds prestige to your college career. A merit award or scholarship is based entirely on your academic performance, athletics, or extra-curricular activities. It is awarded by the university and public or private organizations to reward and encourage exceptional students to pursue their field of study.
While each merit award is different in terms of criteria and sponsorship provided, the awards offered to college students can be divided into three broad categories. Let’s look into them and see if you can apply for any of these prestigious scholarships.
Merit Awards For College Students
The three types of merit awards and scholarships offered to college students are academic, athletic, and artistic merit awards. These awards ensure that students with talent and skills in various fields get the support they require.
After all, not everyone is born an Einstein; to make the world an artistic place, we also need Leonardo Da Vinci. Let’s examine each one of these in more detail.
Academic Merit Awards
This scholarship is offered to students for excellence in academics. Depending on the criteria, it may be awarded to students pursuing a subject like mathematics, engineering, or a broader field of study. The scholarship might also cover the entire tuition or part of the tuition fee.
To be eligible for an academic merit award, the student must be recommended by their teacher or professor and have excellent scores, including a good high school GPA, ACT, and SAT score, in addition to flourishing in overall scholastic performance.
Merit awards can be won by students when they graduate from high school and enter college. They can also be offered to students who have done well in their early college years and want to pursue a higher education level, such as postgraduate and Ph.D.
You can check out the academic merit awards offered at American University here.
Athletic Merit Awards
Most universities look to attract exceptional athletes to their campuses. Athletic scholarships are offered in sports like football, baseball, swimming, gymnastics, and tennis.
To apply for an athletic merit award, you must excel at the sport of your choice and have a good academic record.
Those interested in these scholarships need to plan well, as the competition is fierce. You will need to research various colleges that offer merit awards in your field of sport and look into the courses available that interest you.
To get in, you will need a recommendation from your coach and go through a grilling process. That particular university’s scout will test you to see if you deserve the scholarship. You can browse this list of athletic merit awards offered by various colleges and organizations for deserving candidates.
Also Read: Karnataka PU College Lecturers Result 2020 KEA PU Lecturer Merit List
Artistic Merit Awards
Artistic merit awards are offered in dance, music, visual arts, creative writing, and fashion design. To apply for such an award, you will need a good portfolio, whether recordings of musical performances or dance recitals, a compilation of your artwork, or prose and poetry.
Such scholarships are awarded by universities and public and private organizations that support art and interpret the true essence of this particular arena.
However, to better your chances of winning such an award, you will also need to have good academic scores and do well overall at high school.
The Bottom Line
Winning a merit award in your field of expertise can help you financially pursue a course of your interest, excel at your higher studies, and look great on your resume.
When you apply for a job in the future, your prospective employer will be impressed that you have won such accolades in your college career.