Scope of Merit Scholarships at Purdue University

I've heard Purdue University offers merit scholarships. Could anyone enlighten me about them? Are there specific GPA or extracurricular requirements? Where can I find more information about these scholarships?

Purdue University indeed offers a variety of merit-based scholarships, many of which do not require a separate application. By simply applying for admission to the university, you'd automatically be considered for most of these merit scholarships. Purdue's Office of Admissions recommends applying by the November 1 Early Action deadline to be considered for the maximum number of these scholarships.

Some of the University-wide scholarships include but are not limited to the following:

1. Trustees Scholarship: This is a renewable scholarship awarded to incoming freshmen with outstanding academic records. Factors that are considered in the selection process can include GPA, class rank, test scores, and rigor of high school courses.

2. Presidential Scholarship: This award targets both Indiana residents and non-residents with a high school GPA of at least 3.0. It's designated specifically for students with tremendous leadership and service involvement.

3. Purdue's National and International Scholarships Office (NISO) Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students who excel academically and exhibit strong leadership qualities.

Specific colleges within Purdue University also offer their own scholarships. For example, the College of Agriculture, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and the College of Science all have scholarship programs of their own.

It's important to note that these scholarships often have competitive requirements. Although they don't explicitly state a minimum GPA or key extracurricular achievements, successful recipients usually have strong academic records and a high level of engagement in activities that have honed their leadership skills, or that express their passion for their chosen discipline of study.

For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, I recommend visiting the Purdue University scholarship website. Also, consider reaching out directly to the university's financial aid office or your prospective college within Purdue for specific scholarship opportunities and eligibility criteria.

I hope this information is a helpful starter guide as you begin exploring Purdue's merit scholarships! Good luck with your scholarship search and your application to Purdue. Remember to also keep an eye out for other financial aid options and outside scholarships to maximize your financial aid.