How competitive are Stanford merit scholarships?

I'm really interested in attending Stanford and I've been trying to understand more about their merit scholarships. Does anyone have experience or knowledge about how competitive these scholarships are? I'm curious about what makes an applicant stand out and any tips for potentially increasing my chances of getting one.

To be candid, there's a common misconception that Stanford, like many other highly selective universities, offers merit-based scholarships. In fact, all undergraduate financial aid at Stanford is need-based, meaning they don't provide scholarships based on academic or extracurricular achievements. Stanford is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, irrespective of citizenship, and ensures that families with an annual income below $125,000 (and typical assets) do not pay tuition. Families with an annual income below $65,000 will not pay tuition, mandatory fees, room or board.

While you won't find merit-based scholarships directly from Stanford, you can still potentially receive external scholarships based on merit. These are awards granted by organizations outside of Stanford and can be an excellent resource to help pay for your education. There are many different scholarships available based on varying criteria.

To increase your chances of receiving an external scholarship, it's important to start by researching opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and experiences. You can start utilizing scholarship search platforms (such as Appily or Scholarship.com) for finding opportunities. Be diligent and proactive in your search—many scholarships go unclaimed each year simply because students don't apply.

Applications for these scholarships often require essays, so give yourself ample time to thoughtfully respond to the prompts. Be genuine, passionate, and concise in your responses. Use the essay portion as an opportunity to highlight your uniqueness and the qualities that set you apart.

Ultimately, while Stanford does not offer merit scholarships, there are numerous external opportunities that, with some effort and commitment, can help finance your education at Stanford.