Navigating the Dean's Merit Scholarship Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide

Merit scholarships are a crucial resource for students seeking to finance their education. These scholarships, awarded based on academic achievement and other talents, can significantly reduce the financial burden of college. This article examines the requirements and renewal criteria for various merit-based scholarships offered by different institutions, including Temple University, Tulane University, University of Miami School of Law, Dean College, and the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

General Overview of Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships recognize and reward students' accomplishments and potential. Unlike need-based aid, merit scholarships focus on academic excellence, leadership skills, and other talents. These scholarships can range from partial tuition assistance to covering the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, and meals.

Temple University's Merit Tuition Scholarships

Temple University offers merit-based tuition scholarships through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. It's important to note that scholarships issued by academic departments are subject to the department's specific criteria.

Renewal Requirements for First-Year Students

For first-year students, undergraduate merit tuition scholarships are renewable for four academic years (8 consecutive regular, undergraduate semesters) if the following conditions are met:

Maintain consecutive full-time enrollment: Students must remain enrolled full-time each semester.
Maintain academic eligibility: Students must remain in good academic standing.
GPA Requirements:
- President and Provost's Tuition Scholarships: Guaranteed for the first four semesters, after which a 3.25 cumulative GPA must be achieved and maintained annually.
- Other Temple Merit Tuition Scholarships: Guaranteed for the first four semesters, after which a 3.00 cumulative GPA must be achieved and maintained annually.

Renewal Requirements for Transfer Students

Transfer students' undergraduate merit tuition scholarships are renewable for three academic years (6 consecutive regular, undergraduate semesters) if they meet the following conditions:

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Maintain consecutive full-time enrollment: Students must remain enrolled full-time each semester. Dual Admission merit tuition scholarship recipients may receive half of their award if enrolled at least part-time (6-11 credits)
Maintain academic eligibility: Students must remain in good academic standing.
GPA Requirements: A 3.00 cumulative GPA must be achieved and maintained annually.

Additional Information and Exceptions at Temple University

Summer Classes: Undergraduate summer classes at Temple University can be used to reestablish the cumulative GPA requirement for academic merit tuition scholarships awarded by Undergraduate Admissions.
Departmental Scholarships: These are subject to separate criteria, and students should contact their academic department for eligibility questions.
Exceptions: Students may request academic merit tuition scholarship reinstatement due to documented exceptions such as:
- Military service (LOA)
- Medical Leave of Absence (LOA)
- Excused Medical Withdrawal Leave of Absence (LOA)
- Leave of Absence (LOA) to complete a documented, approved internship or co-op experience
GPA Improvement: If a student improves their cumulative GPA upon completion of summer courses at Temple University immediately following the notice of ineligibility, they may request a scholarship reinstatement once their summer grades have been transcripted.
Reinstatement Process: If an academic merit tuition scholarship has been revoked, a student may request its reinstatement via the Scholarship Reinstatement Request Form. Reviews begin in July for the upcoming fall semester and continue on a rolling basis. Scholarship reinstatement decisions are final. In general, once a scholarship is lost due to not meeting the renewal criteria, it may not be reinstated.

Tulane University's Scholarship Opportunities

Tulane University offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships, many of which are renewable for four years. These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of need and merit, including academic, athletic, or talent-based criteria. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to those that cover full tuition or the full cost of attendance.

Application Process for Tulane Scholarships

Beginning with the high school class of 2026 (students applying to Tulane in the fall of 2025), Tulane no longer requires a separate application to be considered for full tuition merit scholarships. All applicants are considered for a partial merit scholarship by completing the Common Application for admission.

To maximize consideration for financial aid at Tulane, students should:

Complete the Common Application for admission.
Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible resident by the financial aid deadlines.
Submit supporting documentation when requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

Types of Merit Scholarships at Tulane

Partial Scholarships: These scholarships range up to $32,000 per year, require no special application, and are awarded by the admission office based on the strength of the admission application.
Full Tuition and Other Merit Scholarships: These awards often cover full tuition and require applicants to follow the four steps outlined above. They recognize superior academic performance, exceptional community and secondary school involvement, potential for leadership, and extraordinary intellectual promise. Students may upload supporting documents to their Green Wave Portal to be considered in the scholarship review process. Submissions may be in any format listed on the upload screen. Video and audio submissions must not exceed 3 minutes.
Stamps Scholarship: This scholarship covers the total cost of attendance and provides an enrichment fund for study abroad, undergraduate research, academic conferences, and unpaid internships. Approximately 5 Stamps Scholarships are awarded each year.
Dean's Honor Scholarship: Students who complete the four steps for scholarship consideration will all be considered and may upload a supplement to their Green Wave Portal to be reviewed as part of the selection process. Typical recipients have had an ACT of 33+, an SAT score of 1500+, and/or a core, unweighted GPA of 3.7+.
Community Service Fellowship: This award includes joining a cohort of Community Service Fellows who attend monthly meetings, complete 100 service & leadership hours per year, and access resources from the Center for Public Service.
FIRST Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 for a high school senior who has participated on a FIRST team during their junior or senior year. It may be used for any undergraduate course of study in the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane.
Artistic and Performing Arts Scholarships: These include the Architecture Portfolio Award, Creative and Performing Arts Award, Musicianship Scholarship, Studio Art Portfolio Award, and Marching Band Scholarship.
Louisiana Resident Scholarships: Tulane strives to make education affordable for Louisiana residents through need-based and merit scholarships. The Louisiana Excellence Award is a four-year full tuition award for students who reside in Louisiana and graduate from a high school in Louisiana.
International Student Scholarships: These awards recognize outstanding admitted international students and are open to non-US citizens who are not eligible for US Federal Financial Aid.

University of Miami School of Law's Merit Scholarships

The University of Miami School of Law offers various merit-based scholarships to entering law students with strong academic records and outstanding qualifications. No separate application is required for these scholarships, as they are awarded based on admissions credentials and achievements, without regard to financial need. Recipients must accept their scholarship award and pay the two $500 seat deposits by the required dates.

Named Scholarships at Miami Law

Chaplin Family Scholarship: Established by Wayne Chaplin, this scholarship covers tuition expenses for three years of study at Miami Law. Preference is given to a student with an interest in transactional work.
Harvey T. Reid and Soia Mentschikoff Scholarships: These prestigious scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of the entering class who possess exemplary academic records, demonstrate leadership qualities, and exhibit the potential for making substantial contributions to the legal profession and society.
I. Eric and Grace Leef Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded every third year to an entering full-time student and memorializes the name of I. Eric and Grace Leef.
White & Case Scholarship: Established in 2014, this award provides full law tuition and is awarded based on admissions credentials and achievements.
Miami Scholars Public Interest Program: This program offers exclusive opportunities for legal advocacy training and mentoring, with awards ranging from partial to full tuition scholarships and a stipend for public interest work during the summer.

General Scholarship Requirements at Miami Law

The Chaplin, Reid and Mentschikoff, Leef, and White & Case awards provide full law tuition for up to 88 credits, including six approved non-law course credits taken in other departments of the University and applied toward the JD degree, plus an annual stipend of $1,000. Specific requirements to maintain the award may be found in the studentâs initial scholarship notification and in the Institutional Aid Policies section below.

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Additional Scholarship Opportunities at Miami Law

Miami Law offers numerous additional scholarships, including the Adam M. Moskowitz Endowed Law Scholarship, Alma Jennings Fund Scholarship, Andrew & Ellen Leinoff Endowed Scholarship, and many more. These awards are usually limited to particular populations of students based on geography, class year, area of interest in law, or ethnic background.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The University of Miami School of Law participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a supplemental grant designed to assist eligible veterans pay for college, graduate school, or professional school.

LL.M. Scholarships

Each year, a limited number of scholarships are available to outstanding LL.M. applicants on the basis of merit and accomplishments. Applications for admissions and scholarships will be considered on a rolling basis by each LL.M.

Dean College's Scholarship Programs

Dean College offers a variety of scholarships to make private education accessible. These scholarships recognize academic achievement, potential, and talent in the performing arts.

Types of Scholarships at Dean College

Oliver Dean Scholarship: This is Dean Collegeâs most prestigious academic scholarship, recognizing outstanding academic accomplishment in high school.
Deanâs Presidential Scholarship: This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic potential but may not have reached that potential in high school.
Performing Arts Scholarship: This scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement in Dance or Theatre and is reserved for candidates applying directly to these programs.
Transfer Scholarships: Transfer students with 30 college-level credits and a GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible for an additional $2,000 Dean Difference Award. Students with 60 college-level credits, or an associateâs degree, and a GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible for an additional $4,000 Transfer Achievement Scholarship.
Early Action Scholarship: Applicants who apply by December 1 receive a $2,000 Early Action Scholarship.
Local High School Scholarships: Graduates of Franklin High School, Tri-County High School in Franklin, and Bellingham High School are eligible for specific scholarships.
Hockomock Area YMCA Scholarship: Members or active volunteers in the Hockomock Area YMCA who are graduates of a high school within the Hockomock service area are eligible for a tuition scholarship.
Dance Scholarships: Dean College offers scholarships to dancers participating in the Dance Masters of New England, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, and others.

Renewal and Eligibility Criteria at Dean College

Scholarships are subject to specific renewal and eligibility criteria from year to year. Students must review, understand, and meet the renewal and eligibility criteria standards associated with their merit-based scholarship award(s).

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University of Vermont's (UVM) Merit-Based Scholarships

The University of Vermont offers a range of merit-based scholarships to recognize and support talented students. Prospective first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for most UVM merit-based scholarships when applying for admission.

Types of Scholarships at UVM

Akol Aguek Scholarship: This scholarship is for new admitted first-year and transfer Vermont residents who left their home country as a refugee and have demonstrated academic talent. It is awarded in addition to any previous UVM merit scholarships.
Dean's Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to academically talented transfer students. The scholarship may be renewed for up to 4-years (8 semesters) or until the student graduates, whichever comes first, provided all terms and conditions are met each semester.
Green and Gold Scholarship: This full in-state tuition scholarship is awarded to select seniors attending eligible Vermont high schools. As a Green and Gold Scholar, an invitation to UVM's prestigious Honors College is included.
Morrill Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate strong academic performance.
Pathway Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for new transfer applicants admitted to UVM through a Pathway articulation agreement.
Patrick Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for new admitted out-of-state residents who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and have transferred into UVM from a community college.
Presidential Scholarship: Admitted out-of-state first-year students who demonstrate the highest academic performance are eligible for consideration for the Presidential Scholarship. Your Presidential Scholarship is contingent upon your participation and residence in the Honors College for your first year of enrollment. You may live anywhere in University-owned housing for your second year of enrollment. Presidential Scholars are guaranteed on-campus housing for four years.
Trustees Scholarship: Admitted out-of-state first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance are eligible for consideration for the Trustees Scholarship.
Vermont Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate the highest academic performance.

General Requirements for UVM Scholarships

Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to maintain eligibility for these scholarships.

Additional Information for UVM Scholarships

UVM awards scholarships based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, leadership, geographic location, and field of study. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based scholarships.

University of New Hampshire's (UNH) Merit Scholarships

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) recognizes academic achievements through merit scholarships, which are awarded to academically competitive first-year and transfer applicants.

Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students at UNH

Trustee's Scholarship: Awarded to students with a weighted GPA of 4.01 and above.
Chancellor's Scholarship: Awarded to students with a weighted GPA between 3.90 and 4.00.
Presidential Scholarship: Awarded to students with a weighted GPA between 3.70 and 3.89.
Dean's Scholarship: Awarded to students with a weighted GPA between 3.50 and 3.69.
Director's Scholarship: Awarded to students with a weighted GPA between 3.00 and 3.49.

Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students at UNH

Transfer Excellence Scholarship: Awarded to students with a GPA of 3.80 and above.
Transfer Distinction Scholarship: Awarded to students with a GPA between 3.50 and 3.79.
Merrimack Valley Transfer Scholarship: Awarded to students with a GPA between 3.01 and 3.49.
Associate Degree Transfer Scholarship: Awarded to students with a College GPA 3.50+
Associate Degree Transfer Achievement Scholarship: Awarded to students with a College GPA 3.50+
Millyard Transfer Scholarship: Awarded to students with a College GPA 2.70+

Criteria and Restrictions for UNH Merit Scholarships

Scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years (8 consecutive semesters) for first-year students and a maximum of 3 years (6 consecutive semesters) for transfer students, provided the recipient meets all listed criteria and restrictions.
Recipients must maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
Recipients must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) by the end of their fourth semester and maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher during the remainder of their undergraduate career at UNH (with some exceptions).
Recipients must make appropriate progress towards their degree and demonstrate the ideals of citizenship and character required as a member of the university community.
UNH scholarship recipients who are subject to disciplinary action for their conduct will have their scholarship reduced by $500 in the succeeding semester.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at UNH

Hamel Scholars Program: This program seeks to help exceptional in-state students develop their full potential and graduate from UNH as active, engaged leaders.
The David Ellsworth Davis New Hampshire Scholarship Fund: recognizes a student whose families have resided in New Hampshire for at least three generations.
The UNH Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship: awarded to one incoming freshman student who is a direct descendant of a relative who is/was an alumnus/a of the University of New Hampshire and who also had or continues to have a level of service to UNH.
The Angelica Rose Basso and Vincent (Vincenzo) Luti Scholarship Fund: The purpose of this scholarship is that their memory and values live on in helping students in need from New Hampshire achieve their educational goals.

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