25 Full-Ride Scholarships for National Merit Finalists

Updated on June 20th, 2024

National Merit finalists are high school students that show exemplary academic promise. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation administers the National Merit Scholarship Program, which provides various scholarships, including one-time awards and renewable scholarships, sponsored by corporations, colleges, and universities, to aid academically talented students. Along with receiving a scholarship for becoming a finalist from the National Merit program, students are often eligible for other awards, the most coveted of which are typically full-ride scholarships to one of their top-choice schools.

What Are Full-Ride Scholarships for National Merit Finalists?

Generally speaking, National Merit full-ride scholarships are institutional awards that cover the full cost of attending a particular college or university. However, exactly what full-ride means can vary. For a national merit scholar, the benefits and opportunities can include significant financial assistance, access to exclusive academic programs, and enhanced career prospects.

In most cases, full-ride National Merit scholarships handle undergraduate tuition and on-campus housing. However, some institutions cover other expenses, such as meal plans and certain fees. Others also provide stipends for books and other expenses, while a few include the cost of a semester abroad or summer research opportunity.

25 Full-Ride Scholarships for National Merit Finalists

Here is a list of 25 colleges that offer full-ride scholarships for National Merit finalists and a quick overview of what full-ride means at that institution.

1. Faulkner University – Montgomery, Alabama

At Faulkner University, National Merit finalists receive an award covering tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees. Semi-finalists are also eligible for a full-tuition scholarship. Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a significant academic achievement that can greatly impact scholarship eligibility and enhance college applications. In either case, the program factors in the value of other awards.

2. Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University has two National Merit scholarship programs. The first is directed at Florida residents, and it covers up to the total cost of attendance for up to eight semesters. The other is for out-of-state finalists, which handles some, but not all, of the cost of attendance.

3. Florida International University – Miami, Florida

Finalists who enroll at Florida International University receive full tuition, room and board, and fees, up to the cost of attendance.

4. Harding University – Searcy, Arkansas

At Harding University, National Merit finalists receive full undergraduate tuition, room and board, and the technology fee.

5. Liberty University – Lynchburg, Virginia

Both finalists and semi-finalists receive scholarships at Liberty University. Finalists receive tuition and room and board for up to four years. Scholarship recipients must maintain a certain GPA and enroll full-time to continue receiving financial assistance. Semi-finalists have their tuition covered for up to four years.

6. Louisiana Tech University – Ruston, Louisiana

Finalists attending Louisiana Tech University are eligible for a full-ride for up to four years, including tuition, room and board, and fees.

7. Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky

Murray State University provides finalists with full tuition, housing, and a meal plan for up to four years.

8. Oakwood University – Huntsville, Alabama

Oakwood University provides finalists with free tuition and housing for four years. For semi-finalists, four years of tuition is covered.

9. Oklahoma Christian University – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Finalists attending Oklahoma Christian University can receive full tuition, fees, housing, and a meal plan for up to eight semesters.

10. Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma

At Oklahoma State University, finalists can receive a five-year full tuition waiver.

11. Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University offers finalists are guaranteed to have their approved cost of attendance covered, including tuition, fees, room and board, supplies, books, transportation, and more.

12. University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

At the University of Alabama, finalists are eligible for up to five years (10 semesters) of tuition, four years of housing, a $3,500 supplemental scholarship for four years, and a book scholarship for four years. All semi-finalists are eligible for the Presidential Scholarship automatically.

13. University of Alabama in Huntsville – Huntsville, Alabama

Finalists who attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville will receive eight semesters or full tuition, one year of campus housing, $500 in course fees per year, and a one-time $3,000 study abroad allowance.

14. University of Central Florida – Orlando, Florida

At the University of Central Florida, semi-finalists and finalists are eligible for scholarships, potentially up to a full ride.

15. University of Idaho – Moscow, Idaho

At the University of Idaho, finalists receive a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room, and board for up to four years.

16. University of Maine – Maine

At the University of Maine, finalists and semi-finalists can receive full tuition, room and board, and fees.

17. University of Mississippi – Mississippi

Finalists and semi-finalists who attend the University of Mississippi receive full tuition, housing, and fees for up to four years.

18. University of New Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico students who are National Merit finalists receive around $20,000 annually to cover tuition, fees, and housing costs for up to four years.

19. University of North Texas – Denton, Texas

At the University of North Texas, tuition, fees, housing, meals, and textbooks are fully covered for finalists.

20. University of Oklahoma – Norman, Oklahoma

Both finalists and semi-finalists are eligible for awards at the University of Oklahoma, but they may or may not end up being National Merit full-ride scholarships. Finalists will have all of their tuition covered and also receive awards and stipends to offset most, but potentially not all, other expenses. Semi-finalists get a significant amount of their tuition covered.

21. University of Southern Mississippi – Mississippi

At the University of South Mississippi, finalists will receive full tuition, room and board, a $500 educational allowance, and a one-time study abroad scholarship worth up to $4,000. Semi-finalists get full tuition for up to four years, room and board for one year, and a one-time $500 educational allowance.

22. University of South Florida – Tampa, Florida

Along with scholarships (up to a full-ride), National Merit finalists at the University of South Florida get access to additional exclusive services.

23. University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, Texas

The University of Texas at Arlington offers a genuine full ride for National Merit finalists, covering the cost of attendance and providing stipends to assist with books, supplies, and other expenses.

24. University of Texas at Dallas – Dallas, Texas

At the University of Texas at Dallas, finalists receive what equates to a full-ride in most students’ eyes. Along with tuition and fees, there’s a housing and cast stipend, as well as a one-time study abroad stipend.

25. University of West Florida – Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida provides finalists with full tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, a book stipend, and a research or study abroad experience.

How to Apply for Full-Ride Scholarships for National Merit Finalists

If your student is a National Merit finalist, they’ll need to follow the college’s application process to receive any scholarships associated with being a finalist. While most involve providing proof of finalist status – such as by providing a copy of their status letter – and need the student to designate the college as their first choice, the request of the process can vary. Since every school can use its own approach, it’s crucial to review the requirements to ensure your student follows them.

National Merit finalists may qualify for other awards beyond full-ride scholarships at specific colleges, giving students more options for pursuing their college dreams. If you and your student want to learn about other scholarship opportunities, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.