What merit scholarships are available for college?

I'm trying to boost my resume and get some scholarships lined up for college. What types of merit scholarships are out there, and what criteria do they usually require for eligibility?

Most colleges, universities, and organizations offer a variety of merit-based scholarships. These types of scholarships are awarded based on a student's academic, artistic, athletic or other exceptional abilities, and not on financial need. Here's a brief breakdown of what you might encounter:

1. Academic Scholarships: These are awarded based on the academic performance of students. This could include GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, etc. For example, many universities offer President's or Provost's Scholarships, which carry certain GPA and test score requirements.

2. Departmental Scholarships: These scholarships are usually offered by specific departments within a college or university to students majoring in that field. For instance, a school's engineering department might offer a scholarship to students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the field of engineering. Often, the student would need to declare their major in the field related to the scholarship.

3. Athletic Scholarships: These are offered to athletes who have demonstrated exceptional ability in a particular sport. They are typically awarded by the athletic department of a college or university.

4. Leadership or Community Service Scholarships: These scholarships reward students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities or have a significant record of community service.

5. Artistic/Musical Scholarships: These scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate unique talent in the arts, such as visual art, dance, music, or theatre.

6. Scholarships from Organizations: Many non-profit organizations, foundations, and companies offer scholarships to students who meet their specific criteria. This could be anything from a scholarship for students interested in a certain field, students from a certain location, or students of a particular ethnic background.

Generally, these scholarships would require an application that might include the submission of academic transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, or portfolios to demonstrate your ability in the respective area. Some might also require an interview process. It would be beneficial to research and identify the scholarships that match your skills and interests. For example, if you're strong academically and are interested in engineering, you could look into academic scholarships and departmental scholarships from engineering departments.

Just keep in mind that merit scholarships are often competitive, so it would be a good idea to apply to multiple scholarships to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid. Good luck with your scholarship hunting!