Selective Colleges with Generous Scholarships
High schoolers with top-flight academic credentials will have little trouble locating generous merit-based scholarships at less-selective colleges, who need to dangle large sums of money in order to land students that are otherwise “out of their league.”
What can be more difficult is to score a sizable merit aid package from a selective institution that already attracts a horde of highly-qualified applicants each and every year. The schools that made our list of selective colleges with generous scholarships do indeed offer major-league merit packages to star applicants. Details about those scholarships as well as additional application materials required to be considered can be found on the chart below. Of course, scholarship criteria/requirements are subject to change. Please click the links to access each institution’s most up-to-date scholarship information.
| Institution | Scholarship | Deadline | Additional Requirements (Beyond Application) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Frederick Douglas Distinguished Scholars | http://www.american.edu/learning-communities/douglassscholars/index.cfm | December 15 | Scholarship Application,Interview |
| Boston College | Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program | http://www.bc.edu/centers/psp/ | November 1 | Interview |
| Boston University | Trustee Scholarship | http://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/tuition-aid-scholarships/scholarships/trustee/ | December 1 | 2 Essays |
| Clemson University | National Scholars | http://www.clemson.edu/academics/programs/national-scholars/ | December 1 | Honors College Admission Application, Interview Weekend |
| College of William and Mary | 1693 Scholars | http://www.wm.edu/as/1693scholars/index.php | January 1 | Essay, Video, Presentation/Interview |
| Davidson College | John Montgomery Belk Scholarship | https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/john-belk-scholarship | December 1 | School Nomination, Phone Interview, Interview |
| Duke University | Robertson Scholars | https://robertsonscholars.org/about-us/mission/ | November 15 | Scholarship Application, 3 Essays, 2 Recommendations, Interview |
| Emory University | Emory University Scholar Programs | http://apply.emory.edu/apply/scholar.php | November 15 | Interview Weekend |
| Fordham University | Presidential Scholarship | https://www.fordham.edu/info/20531/apply/3752/scholarships | January 9 | None |
| George Washington | Presidential Academic Scholarship | https://undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/scholarships | January 1 | None |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Stamps President's Scholarship | https://stampsps.gatech.edu/ | October 15 | 1-Page Resume, Interview, Scholars Weekend |
| Indiana University | Wells Scholars | https://wellsscholars.indiana.edu/nomination-process/index.html | November 1 | Nomination by letter of Recommendation |
| Miami University | University Merit Scholarship | http://miamioh.edu/admission/merit-grid/ | February 1 | None |
| Michigan State University | Alumni Distinguished Scholarship | https://admissions.msu.edu/cost-aid/merit-based-aid/freshman/high-achieving.aspx | November 1 | Participation in MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition |
| North Carolina State University | Park Scholarship | https://park.ncsu.edu/about/ | October 15 | Scholarship Application with 2 Essays, 2 Recommendations, Interview, Campus Visit & Group Activity |
| Northeastern University | University Scholars | https://www.northeastern.edu/universityscholars/ | January 1 | None |
| Ohio State University | Eminence Fellows | https://honors-scholars.osu.edu/honors/eminence/apply | February 1 | Scholarship Application including Essay & Video Introduction, Interview, Selection Events |
| Rollins College | Alfond Scholars Program | http://www.rollins.edu/financial-aid/as-cps-financial-aid/scholarships/alfond-scholars-program.html | November 1 | Interview & Competition Weekend |
| Soka University | Global Merit Scholarship | https://www.soka.edu/financial-aid-tuition/aid-undergraduate-students/undergraduate-types-aid | November 1 | None |
| Southern Methodist University | President's Scholars Program | http://www.smu.edu/academics/PS | November 1 | Interview Weekend |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Ann P. Nepauer Scholarship | https://www.stevens.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships-aid/stevens-scholarships | February 1 | None |
| Syracuse University | Coronat Scholars | http://coronat.syr.edu/ | January 1 | Scholarship Application,Essay,Interview |
| Texas Christian University | Chancellor's Scholarship | https://financialaid.tcu.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/freshman-academic-scholarships.php | November 1 | Interview Weekend |
| Tulane University | Paul Tulane Award | http://admission.tulane.edu/tuition-aid/merit-scholarships | November 15 | Scholarship Application,2 Essays |
| Tulane University | Deans' Honor Scholarship | http://admission.tulane.edu/tuition-aid/merit-scholarships | November 15 | Scholarship Application, Creative Project with Commentary |
| University of Delaware | Eugene Dupont Scholars | http://sites.udel.edu/honors/eugene-dupont-scholars/ | January 15 | Essay |
| University of Georgia | The Foundation Fellowship, The Bernard Ramsey Honors Scholarship | https://www.admissions.uga.edu/Prospective-Students/Tuition-Fees/Scholarships/Foundation-Fellowship-Part-I | November 2 | Scholarship Application, Interview |
| University of Maryland | Banneker/Key Scholars | http://www.bannekerkey.umd.edu/ | November 1 | Interview |
| University of Miami | Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship | https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships/ronald-a-hammond/index.html | January 1 | Essay, Campus Visit |
| University of Miami | Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship | https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships/isaac-bashevis-singer/index.html | November 1 | Essay, Campus Visit |
| University of North Carolina | Robertson Scholars | https://robertsonscholars.org/about-us/mission/ | November 15 | Scholarship Application,3 Essays, 2 Recommendations, Interview |
| University of North Carolina | Morehead-Cain Scholarship | http://www.moreheadcain.org/ | October 15 | Scholarship Application, Essays, School Nomination, Recommendation, Interview |
| University of Pittsburgh | Chancellor's Scholarship | https://oafa.pitt.edu/financialaid/academic-scholarships/chancellors-scholarship/ | December 15 | Interview |
| University of Richmond | Richmond Scholars | https://scholars.richmond.edu/about/index.html | December 1 | Interview |
| University of Southern California | National Merit Finalist Presidential | https://ahf.usc.edu/meritscholars/merit-scholarships/ | December 1 | Name USC as first choice with NationalMerit Scholarship Corporation |
| University of Southern California | Mork Family Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship | https://ahf.usc.edu/meritscholars/merit-scholarships/ | December 1 | Interview |
| University of Texas at Austin | Forty Acres Scholars | http://scholarships.texasexes.org/scholarships/forty-acres-scholars/ | December 1 | Application, Interviews, Finalists Weekend |
| University of Virginia | Jefferson Scholars | http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/scholarship | November 1 | Nominations, Competition including interview, written exercise & math/logic exam |
| Vanderbilt University | Chancellor's Scholarship | https://www.vanderbilt.edu/scholarships/chancellor.php | January 8 | Scholarship Application |
| Vanderbilt University | Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship | https://www.vanderbilt.edu/scholarships/signature.php | January 8 | Scholarship Application |
| Vanderbilt University | Ingram Scholarship | https://www.vanderbilt.edu/scholarships/ingram.php | January 1 | Scholarship Application |
| Wake Forest University | Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship | http://financialaid.wfu.edu/merit-based-scholarships/nancy-susan-reynolds-scholarships/ | December 1 | Scholarship Application, Interview |
| Washington and Lee University | The Johnson Scholarship | https://www.wlu.edu/johnson-program/the-johnson-scholarship | December 1 | Writing Supplement, 3 Recommendations |
| Washington University | Honorary Scholars Program | https://admissions.wustl.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/ | January 15 | Scholarship Application, 4 Short Essays, 1 Long Essay, 1 Recommendation, Interview |
| Washington University | Langsdorf Fellowships in Engineering | https://admissions.wustl.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/academic-scholarships/engineering-scholarships/ | January 15 | Select McKelvey School of Engineering Major on Application, Interview |
| Washington University | Olin Business School Distinguished Scholars Program | https://admissions.wustl.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/academic-scholarships/business-scholarships/ | January 15 | Select Olin Business School Major on Application, Interview |
| Washington University | Danforth Scholars Program | https://admissions.wustl.edu/Financial | January 15 | Scholarship Application, Recommendation, Interview |
| Washington University | Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program | https://admissions.wustl.edu/Financial | January 15 | Scholarship Application, Recommendation, Interview |
| Washington University | John B. Ervin Scholars Program | https://admissions.wustl.edu/Financial | January 15 | Scholarship Application, Recommendation, Interview |
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