Category: scholarships

Guaranteed National Merit Scholarships

National merit awards guaranteed scholarships are given out around the country for students who perform well on their Preliminary SAT (PSAT).

national-merit-scholarships
National Merit Scholarships

National merit awards guaranteed scholarships are given out around the country for students who perform well on their Preliminary SAT (PSAT). In many cases these national merit awards guaranteed scholarships are awarded as full rides meaning that a student will have their education completely paid for. While national merit awards guaranteed scholarships are given out across the United States not every college in every state participates in a program in which these awards are given out.

Students who have done very well on the PSAT should consider their college choices carefully, and definitely apply for a National Merit award guaranteed scholarship at colleges they are interested in attending. Should a student find that their college of choice does not offer a National Merit award guaranteed scholarship and are in sincere need of financial aid, they should seriously reconsider where they are planning to go to school. Denying a full ride scholarship because they would rather go to a school somewhere else is not necessarily the wisest choice to make unless of course the school they want to go to and have been accepted to is just simply too exceptional to pass up. It is important to note that while many universities do in fact participate in national merit awards guaranteed scholarships, they do not always provide full ride awards to students from out of state. Awards for out of state students are still very often quite substantial and should be considered as a relevant portion of potential financial aid.

Also important to know is that with regards to deadlines, colleges very often handle their own national merit award guaranteed scholarship programs which means that deadlines will vary depending on where a student is planning to go. Many colleges have a single scholarship form which will need to be filled out and submitted before that date. Students should endeavor to fill these applications out as soon as they are able. As the programs are guaranteed scholarships, by simply filling out the forms they be should assured of some level of funding.

National Merit Awards Guaranteed Scholarships by State Public Universities

New Mexico
The University of New Mexico provides $13,000 in aid to students who qualify for a national merit award guaranteed scholarship by being a valedictorian, getting a 31 on the ACT or having a 3.9 grade point average who have been admitted by February 1. New Mexico State University provides a full ride to National Merit finalists and semi-finalists who had a 30 on the ACT or are recognized as national merit finalists.

Ohio
Ohio State University provides $4,000 to students who have National Merit recognition and submit scholarship applications by December 1. Beyond this, the University of Akron provides up to $6,000 for National Merit Scholars who have been admitted by March 1 and the University of Cincinnati gives full rides to students who are residents of the state or $14,000 to students coming in from other states in the country so long as they are National Merit Scholars admitted by December 1. Youngstown State University also provides a full ride to students doing well on PSAT so long as they also scored a 30 on the ACT or 1300 on the SATs.

National Merit Awards Guaranteed Scholarships by Private School

Private schools rarely provide full ride scholarships to students who are eligible for National Merit awards guaranteed scholarships but nonetheless generally provide substantial sums of money to students who do well on their PSAT. Calvin College as an example gives out $10,000 and Concordia College gives out $15,000. The University of Dallas awards $14,000 to students who are National Merit Finalists and $12,000 to those who make it as semi-finalists. Hope College awards $17,000 to their National Merit students while North Central College will cover at least three quarters of the overall expense of school there.

National merit awards guaranteed scholarships are a fantastic way to find funding for college and will help students get an immense amount of money at various schools around the country. It cannot be denied that these programs are limited with regards to the number of schools at which they are available. However students who are in sincere need of the financial assistance should work hard from the get go to make sure they can get into a good program and get access to one of these National Merit scholarships.

Full-Ride Guaranteed Scholarships from US Military Academies

Students looking for full-ride guaranteed scholarships and to to serve their country through a military career will will find it from US armed forces academies.

guaranteed scholarships from US Military
Guaranteed Scholarships at Military Academies

Students looking for full-ride guaranteed scholarships and the opportunity to serve their country through a military career will find U.S. armed forces academies offer a wealth of opportunities to complete a quality education and embark upon a rewarding career. In addition to a full-ride scholarship, all students accepted into U.S. military academies will also receive a monthly stipend in exchange for service. While each program differs, most military academies require applicants to procure a Congressional nomination from their state Congressional delegate. In addition, all applicants must also pass a physical fitness test, as well as meet other requirements. Academies offering a full-ride scholarship include the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The United States Military Academy at West Point is known as one of the preeminent leader development institutions in the world. The mission of this academy is to train, educate and inspire Cadets to graduate as a commissioned leader. The student body at West Point, known as the Corps of Cadets, is expected to adhere to values of Duty, Honor and Country. Approximately 1,000 cadets graduate from West Point each year as commissioned second lieutenants in the United States Army.

The U.S. Air Force Academy is unique among other academies in that it functions as a university as well as an Air Force installation. The 10th Air Base Wing provides medical, logistical, security, fire response, civil engineering, medical support and family care throughout the entire 18,000 acre community. The USAFA is situated slightly north of Colorado Springs, in the Rocky Mountains. Students are able to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in 32 majors while earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant.

Attendance at the Academy starts with a 6-week, rigorous Basic Cadet Training. During this time, students receive an introduction to military life, including courtesies and customs, wearing of the uniform, marching and military history. During the final three weeks of Basic Training, cadets receive physical military training and challenges. Throughout their four years at the Academy, Cadets will participate and several military training events, including the Commandant’s challenge. More than 1,000 students graduate the United States Air Force Academy each year.

The United States Naval Academy also offers full-ride guaranteed scholarships to all accepted applicants. Originally founded by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, in 1845, the Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland and has a stated goal of developing midshipmen ‘morally, mentally, and physically.’ The four-year Office Development program at the Academy focuses on helping midshipmen prepare for careers as officers in the Marine Corps or Navy.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is situated on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut and provides a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program. As is the case with all of the United States military academies, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy provides a full, automatic scholarship for each individual accepted. Approximately 200 junior officers, or ensigns, are commission during the May graduation exercise each year. Upon graduation, the newly commissioned ensigns will report for duty at sector offices and aboard cutters around the world. Each graduate of the Academy is obligated to serve a minimum of five years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Many graduates of the U.S. Coast Academy also make the decision to remain in the Coast Guard and make a career of maritime military service.

The goal of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is to ensure individuals are prepared to serve the nation as transportation field leaders and shipboard officers. Originally dedicated in 1943, the Merchant Marine Academy is the realization of the passing of the 1936 Merchant Marine Act, which established the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps two years later. Situated in Kings Point, N.Y., the Academy trains students who will pursue careers in the maritime industry and the armed services upon graduation.

Collectively, the academies are referred to as service academies. Applicants to each of the service academies, with the exception of the United States Coast Guard Academy, are required to obtain a congressional nomination. Those nominations may be made by Representatives, Senators, the President and the Vice-President. Coast Guard Academy applicants are allowed to compete in a nationwide competitive process in an effort to obtain one of the much sought-after guaranteed full-ride scholarships.