Pursuing a college degree out-of-state can be an exciting prospect that offers students the chance to experience new cultures, new environments, and a whole new academic setting. Nonetheless, the financial loads of this venture into an out-of-state institution can be daunting.
To ameliorate this. Merit scholarships are provided to become a valuable lifeline, rewarding exceptional academic excellence, leadership stance, and other achievements with financial aid.
Some of the best merit scholarships available for out-of-state students in the United States will be highlighted and discussed in this article.
What are merit scholarships?
Unlike Need based scholarships, Merit scholarships are awarded based on the academic achievements of a student. These scholarships consider academic performance, standardised test scores, extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and other talents.
For out-of-state students, these scholarships can significantly reduce the higher tuition rates that non-residents typically face.
Top National Merit Scholarships to Consider
Quite a number of national scholarships are open to students regardless of where they reside. They are a highly competitive prestigious award that goes a long way to aid students financially.
National Merit Scholarship Program
One of the widely known merit-based scholarships is the National Merit Scholarship Program. High school juniors qualify by scoring highly on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Approximately 1.5 million students enter the competition annually, but only around 7,500 receive scholarships. Winners can receive various awards, including the National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Another widely known and highly competitive scholarship is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. It proudly awards 150 scholarships of $20,000 each to outstanding high school seniors. Yearly, applicants are evaluated on their academic excellence, leadership, and service. The Coca-Cola Scholars program is open to students nationwide, making it a valuable opportunity for out-of-state students.
University-Specific Merit Scholarships
A whole lot of universities offer substantial merit-based scholarships to attract talented out-of-state students. These scholarships offered by the universities often come with additional benefits, such as school honours programs and graduate research opportunities.
University of Alabama’s Academic Elite Scholarships
The prestigious University of Alabama offers several merit-based scholarships for out-of-state students, including the Academic Elite Scholarships. These scholarship opportunities are available to students with outstanding academic records and top standardised test scores. The university scholarships cover full tuition and additional stipends throughout the four years in school.
University of Georgia’s Foundation Fellowship
As elegant as this is, the University of Georgia’s Foundation Fellowship is one of the most prestigious merit scholarships available. This scholarship opportunity includes full tuition, housing rights, and a stipend for various academic and travel experiences.
This scholarship is open to both in-state and out-of-state students, making it an excellent opportunity and a destination choice for those looking to attend the university from outside Georgia.
University of South Carolina’s McNair Scholars Program
Specifically designed for out-of-state students, the University of South Carolina’s McNair Scholars Program is designed to attract top out-of-state students.
This scholarship opportunity covers full tuition, a generous housing stipend, and a variety of other enrichment opportunities for students. Each applicant is evaluated based on his academic achievement, leadership skills, and involvement in the community.
State-Specific Merit Scholarships
Various states have come up with scholarship programs to help out-of-state students. Certain states have merit scholarship programs that are open to out-of-state students, providing additional opportunities for students to explore education in different regions and cultures.
New Jersey’s Garden State Scholars Program
Another very significant scholarship program is the Garden State Scholars Program in New Jersey which offers significant scholarships to out-of-state students who demonstrate excellence in their academic performance.
Potentially, these scholarships can cover a substantial portion of academic tuition and fees, thereby making it an attractive option for students considering attending colleges in the state of New Jersey.
Kentucky’s Governor’s Scholars Program
The Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program is another avenue that provides high-achieving students with worthy merit scholarships.
While primarily targeting in-state students, out-of-state students with exceptional credentials may also be considered. This program holds as its benchmark academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
Merit Scholarships from Private Organizations
Several private organizations have taken upon themselves the responsibility to cater for students and their academic pursuits as a way of giving back to society. Most private organisations offer merit scholarships that can be used at any accredited institution, providing additional flexibility for out-of-state students.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is one of the largest scholarships available and offers a whooping sum of up to $40,000 every year. Its scholarship program supports high-achieving high school seniors with great financial need.
While the primary focus is on students with financial need, the selection process is entirely merit based making it a valuable option for several out-of-state students.
Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship
The Elks National Foundation offers the Most Valuable Student Scholarship, awarding 500 scholarships annually to high school seniors who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence.
Their high awards range from the sum of $20,000 to $50,000, and this makes it a significant opportunity for several out-of-state students.
How to win merit-based scholarships
To win a merit-based scholarship, several strategies have to be put in place. It also requires adequate planning and preparation. Here are some tips that will give you an edge over others:
1. Make good and outstanding grades: When you step up your game and finish with a high GPA, you stand a better chance of being chosen on merit. Strong academic performance is very critical for most merit scholarships.
2. Prepare to smash standardized Tests: Attaining high scores on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT will significantly boost your merit-based scholarship prospects. Engaging in tutorials and preparation classes gives you an edge over others in these standardised tests.
3. Make the most of Extracurricular Activities: Leadership qualities are built and developed during extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, and volunteer work. When applying for scholarship programs, highlight any leadership roles or notable achievements.
4. Beautifully speak about your strengths: 9 out of 10 scholarships will require an essay or personal statement. Maximise this opportunity to showcase your unique strengths, goals, and aspirations. Be authentic and reflective.
5. Seek Strong Recommendations: Obtain recommendation letters from teachers, counsellors, or mentors who can speak to your academic abilities, character, and leadership qualities.
Conclusion
Merit scholarships offer unquantifiable support to out-of-state students seeking to expand their educational tentacles.
National programs, private organizations, and other relevant bodies have made this possible with their financial support. By leveraging this, out-of-state students can reach their academic pinnacles without any hassle.