Merrimack College Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 18, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~72%
- Middle 50% ACT: 27-31
- Middle 50% SAT: 1060-1250
- Average GPA: 3.5
Comparing multiple schools?
Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Merrimack College at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (Augustinian Scholarship & Pioneer Scholars Program)
Average Net Price
$37,899/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
$2,000–$29,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
28 opportunities
9 automatic · 6 competitive · 12 hidden gem · 1 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 15 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Augustinian Scholarship & Pioneer Scholars Program
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Merrimack College (Read This First)
- Merit looks generous—but net price is still high: Merrimack offers automatic merit, but the average net price is still around ~$38K/year. Families sometimes focus on the scholarship amount and miss the final out-of-pocket cost.
- Early application timing matters for aid: With rolling admissions and a November priority window, students who apply later may still get in—but with less favorable scholarship offers.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Merrimack College is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 27-31; SAT: 1060-1250.
Average net price? About $37,899/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No — private school; same rate for all.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Merrimack College 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$51,080 |
$51,080 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$23,884 |
$23,884 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$74,964 |
$74,964 |
Average Federal Net Price: $37,899 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Merrimack “Money Lever” Most Families Miss
Because Merrimack is a private college (one tuition rate for everyone), the biggest cost swing usually comes from
timing and how your application is reviewed — not residency.
-
Early Application Scholarship (deadline-driven money):
Apply by Nov 15 to receive $3,000 (EA/ED I), or by Feb 15 to receive $2,000 (EA/ED II).
Your application must be fully complete by the deadline to qualify.
-
Test-blind (scores don’t help):
Merrimack is test-blind for admission, scholarships, and Honors consideration — SAT/ACT scores are not used in review, even if submitted.
-
Housing is a real cost factor:
Most first-year students live on campus, so when you compare schools, make sure you’re comparing
total billed cost (tuition + housing/meals) — not tuition alone.
Parent move: If Merrimack is on your list, treat Nov 15 like your “money deadline,” and don’t waste time/stress on test scores for scholarship purposes.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Merrimack College
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same?
Merrimack is a private college, so tuition is not subsidized by state taxes. All students pay the same base tuition and fees, regardless of residency.
Is the $75,000 total what most families actually pay?
No. That figure reflects the sticker price before aid. The average net price is closer to $38,000, and many students receive institutional grants or scholarships that reduce costs further.
Does Merrimack offer in-state tuition waivers or reciprocity programs?
No. Merrimack does not participate in WUE, ACM, MSEP, or regional tuition exchanges. Aid is awarded through institutional scholarships and need-based grants instead.
Are housing and meal costs fixed?
Housing and meal costs are shown as an average. Actual charges vary depending on residence hall type and meal plan selection.
How can families estimate their real cost?
The best way is to use Merrimack’s Net Price Calculator and compare financial aid offers carefully, paying attention to grants versus loans.
Sources:
https://www.merrimack.edu/bursar/tuition-expenses/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/tuition/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166850-Merrimack_College
Is Merrimack worth it for your family?
- High-need families: Often see large gaps between the ~$75k sticker price and aid-adjusted cost, especially when need-based grants combine with merit.
- Middle-income families: Merit + early-application bonuses + targeted awards (FIRST, music, departmental) often determine whether Merrimack competes with other private colleges.
- Near full-pay families: Merrimack’s value tends to come from program fit, internships, and outcomes rather than headline discounts.
These examples are illustrative, not guarantees — individual aid packages vary.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Merrimack College (2026–2027)
Merrimack awards several admission-based merit scholarships automatically — meaning most students don’t submit a separate scholarship application.
These awards are typically based on a holistic review of your academic record and accomplishments.
Important: Merrimack is test-blind for admission and institutional scholarship consideration — SAT/ACT scores are not used in the review process.
That means superscoring isn’t a factor here (scores won’t change scholarship decisions).
Automatic
Merrimack College Criminal Justice Scholarship (MCCJ)
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers with need-based grants and the Housing Grant up to cost of attendance. Major changes outside the eligible list can affect renewal — check with financial aid first.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $20,000 per year automatic award for students entering Merrimack's criminal-justice-related programs. Pairs with your Merrimack Scholarship and Housing Grant for a layered package.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Human Development and Human Services, or the 5-year master's tracks in School Counseling or Social Work.
Automatic
Early Application Scholarship (EA/ED I)
📅 Deadline: November 15
Non-Renewable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a one-time bonus that layers on top of your regular merit scholarship and any need-based aid, up to Merrimack's cost-of-attendance limit. Think of it as a thank-you for committing early.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $3,000 one-time award added on top of your regular merit aid for completing your EA I or ED I file by November 15. It's an early-bird reward, not a competition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any admitted student who files a complete EA I or ED I application by November 15. There's no GPA cutoff or competitive review beyond admission itself — if you get in, you get the bonus.
Automatic
Early Application Scholarship (EA/ED II)
📅 Deadline: January 15
Non-Renewable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
A one-time top-up that sits alongside your merit scholarship and need-based aid, capped only by your overall cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $2,000 one-time award for submitting a complete EA II or ED II application by January 15. Merrimack's Regular Decision deadline is February 15, so January 15 is the cutoff to capture this bonus.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted students who file a complete EA II or ED II application by January 15. No merit threshold to clear beyond regular admission.
Automatic
Merrimack College Future Educator Scholarship (MCFE)
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based grants and the Housing Grant up to total cost of attendance. Confirm with financial aid before switching out of an Education major — it can affect renewal.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $20,000 per year award for incoming Education and STEM Education majors. Stacks with your Merrimack Scholarship and Housing Grant — a strong package for future teachers.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students declaring an Education or STEM Education major. It's Merrimack's way of investing in the next wave of K-12 teachers.
Automatic
Merrimack Housing Grant
📅 Deadline: File FAFSA by Merrimack's priority date.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000–$8,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers directly on top of the Merrimack Scholarship and any other merit awards — a meaningful add-on specifically tied to living on campus.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $5,000–$8,000 per year grant added on top of merit aid for incoming students living on campus. Automatic for residential students — the FAFSA helps determine the exact amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students who choose to live in Merrimack housing. The exact dollar amount is determined as part of your full financial aid review.
Automatic
Merrimack Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$15,000–$29,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers with need-based grants and Merrimack's Housing Grant up to your total cost of attendance. The dollar figure can shift if your housing status or enrollment changes year to year.
💡
Strategic Detail
Merrimack's general merit award, layered automatically based on a holistic admission review. Earlier institutional charts published a $15,000–$29,000 range; the current chart lists it simply as 'Varies by student and major' without a posted range, so the actual award you receive may fall above or below that historical band.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A wide range of admitted students with solid grades and a well-rounded record. Most freshmen receive some level of Merrimack Scholarship — the exact amount depends on a holistic read of your application.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Northern Essex Community College (NECC) Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling transfer admission timeline.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000–$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers on top of your transfer merit scholarship as a $5,000–$10,000 per year add-on. A real win for NECC associate's-degree completers heading to Merrimack.
💡
Strategic Detail
A targeted $5,000–$10,000 per year award for transfer students arriving from Northern Essex Community College with an Associate's degree in hand. Stacks with merit aid — strong pipeline package.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time transfer applicants on track to complete their Associate's degree from Northern Essex Community College before their Merrimack start term.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling transfer admission timeline.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers on top of your transfer merit scholarship — a clean $2,000 per year add-on. Maintain full-time status to keep it.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $2,000 per year award for verified Phi Theta Kappa transfer students. Easy to claim — just flag your PTK membership on your application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Transfer applicants who are active members of Phi Theta Kappa, the community college honor society.
Automatic
Merrimack College Science & Engineering Scholarship (MCSE)
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers with need-based grants and Merrimack's Housing Grant up to cost of attendance. Switching out of an eligible major may end the award, so confirm with financial aid before changing tracks.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $20,000 per year automatic award for incoming students in a wide list of science, engineering, computing, and quantitative majors. Stack it with the Merrimack Scholarship and the Housing Grant to bring real numbers down quickly.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted students declaring a science, engineering, computing, math, or data-science major (think Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Mechanical / Civil / Electrical Engineering, Data Science, Neuroscience, and related fields).
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
Disclaimer: Award amounts and renewal criteria can change by year based on funding and policy updates. Some aid may be adjusted if your enrollment status, housing plan, or overall cost of attendance changes — always confirm details with Merrimack Financial Aid.
FAQ — Merrimack Automatic Merit Scholarships
Do I need a separate scholarship application for Merrimack merit awards?
Usually, no. Merrimack states that undergraduate applicants are automatically reviewed for institutional merit scholarships as part of the admission process.
Do SAT/ACT scores help increase Merrimack scholarships?
No. Merrimack is test-blind for admission and scholarship consideration, meaning test scores are not used at all — even if submitted.
Are these scholarships renewable?
Yes, most admission-based merit scholarships renew as long as you stay full-time and maintain good academic standing. Merrimack also notes that changes to enrollment or housing/cost-of-attendance status can affect renewal/amount.
Is the Early Application Scholarship “automatic” too?
Yes — it’s essentially an early-filing incentive. If your application is complete by the deadline, you receive the stated amount (Nov 15 = $3,000; Feb 15 = $2,000).
What’s the single biggest tip to maximize Merrimack automatic aid?
Apply early with a complete file (especially by Nov 15). At colleges with rolling/early options, timing can matter for both admission review and institutional aid budgeting.
Sources:
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/types/grants/
https://www.merrimack.edu/admission/undergraduate/application-process/
https://www.merrimack.edu/admission/undergraduate/application-process/faqs/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/faqs/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/award-policies/awardpolicies/
If your student looks like this…
- GPA ~3.7+ with strong rigor: Apply by Nov 15 to maximize Presidential/Merrimack merit and early-application bonuses; ask admissions whether any targeted awards may replace merit.
- GPA ~3.3–3.6, solid academics: Expect mid-tier merit plus Early Application money; focus on stacking with FIRST Robotics, music, or departmental awards if eligible.
- High-need STEM student: Prioritize early completion + inquire about MACHS Scholars and engineering donor scholarships that often appear after the first year.
🏆 Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Merrimack College (2026–2027)
Some colleges advertise highly selective flagship scholarships — often full tuition or full ride awards that serve as major recruiting tools.
Merrimack College takes a different approach.
No true flagship scholarships: Merrimack does not offer full-tuition or full-ride institutional scholarships.
There are no nationally branded or admission-driving “top awards” similar to Stamps or Presidential full-ride programs.
App Required
Athletic Manager Program
📅 Deadline: Rolling interviews until positions are filled.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers on top of your merit and need-based aid as a $5,000 add-on. Athletic recruits and marching-band scholarship recipients aren't eligible.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Athletic Manager Interest form (linked on Merrimack's Scholarships & Grants page), then complete an interview. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Selection criteria: Selected by the Deputy Athletic Director based on interview and fit.
🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
A $5,000 annual add-on for incoming students willing to work as student managers with Merrimack's Division I athletic teams. Not stackable with athletic-recruit or marching-band scholarships, but otherwise layers nicely with merit.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students who interview well and commit to supporting Merrimack's Division I athletic teams behind the scenes — practices, travel, game-day logistics, and daily operations.
Full TuitionAutomatic
Augustinian Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
faith-based prestige scholarship
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Select number of full-tuition awards and a separate select number of $1,000 runner-up awards each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
A select number of full-tuition awards plus $1,000 awards for runners-up. The full-tuition version is given in place of (not on top of) the Merrimack Scholarship. Full-tuition recipients commit to up to six hours per week of community service.
💡
Strategic Detail
A prestigious award reserved for graduates of Augustinian-affiliated high schools. Top recipients receive full tuition (with a service commitment of up to 6 hours/week); runners-up receive $1,000 per year. Awarded in place of merit aid for the full-tuition tier.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students from secondary schools affiliated with the Order of St. Augustine who embody the Augustinian values of hospitality, community, and the pursuit of truth.
Automatic
Choral Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling; submit with your admission application.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
A small but meaningful $500 add-on that stacks with your regular merit award and other institutional aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $500 per year talent award for students who flag concert choir interest on their admission application. Modest but renewable, and it stacks with everything else in your package.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students with a strong singing background who plan to participate in Merrimack's concert choir.
App Required
FIRST Robotics Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Submit with admission application; supplemental form follows.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
A $5,000 per year add-on that layers on top of your existing merit scholarship — a nice extra for STEM-track students with robotics experience.
📄
How to Apply
Indicate your high school FIRST Robotics participation on your admission application, then complete the supplemental FIRST Robotics Scholarship application sent by Admissions.
Selection criteria: Selected by the Admissions Office based on FIRST Robotics participation and the supplemental application.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $5,000 per year award for students who participated in FIRST Robotics in high school. Requires a brief supplemental form on top of your admission application, but it stacks cleanly with your merit award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time incoming freshmen who participated in their high school's FIRST Robotics team and complete the supplemental scholarship application.
Automatic
Marching Band Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling; submit with your admission application.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be awarded as either a comprehensive scholarship that takes the place of merit or as an add-on alongside your Merrimack Scholarship — the structure depends on your overall award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $5,000 per year for talented marching band musicians. Sometimes awarded as a comprehensive scholarship rather than purely additive — compare the full package once your offer arrives.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students with strong musical ability who commit to marching with Merrimack's band.
Full RideApp Required
Pioneer Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Set by the Pioneer Scholars selection committee each spring; recipients are typically notified before high school graduation.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
full-ride scholarship (tuition, room, board, fees, books)
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Up to 10 students per entering cohort. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed as a full-ride that covers tuition, room and board, fees, and books — it generally replaces other institutional merit and need-based aid rather than stacking with them.
📄
How to Apply
Enroll at Abbott Lawrence Academy (an accelerated honors program within Lawrence High School in Lawrence, MA) and complete Merrimack's Early College Program. Top students then submit a written application, interview, and commit to living on campus as residential students.
Selection criteria: Competitive review by a Merrimack selection committee weighing academic performance in the Early College Program, written application, and interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
A long-standing partnership between Merrimack and Abbott Lawrence Academy in Lawrence, MA. Each year, up to ten ALA students who completed Merrimack's Early College Program are selected for a full four-year scholarship covering tuition, housing and food, fees, and books, plus wraparound advising support.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Up to ten Abbott Lawrence Academy seniors per cohort who finished Merrimack's Early College Program with strong grades, real engagement, and a compelling interview. This is a Lawrence, MA pipeline program — it isn't open to general applicants.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Instead, Merrimack focuses most of its institutional aid on:
- Automatic merit scholarships awarded at admission
- Honors-based awards tied to selective academic programs
- Smaller competitive or departmental scholarships awarded later or by application
Families comparing schools should know that the largest and most reliable scholarships at Merrimack are automatic merit awards,
not competitive flagship programs.
FAQ — Flagship Scholarships at Merrimack College
Does Merrimack offer any full-tuition or full-ride scholarships?
No. Merrimack does not advertise or award full-tuition or full-ride institutional scholarships.
Are there highly competitive scholarships I should still apply for?
Not in the traditional flagship sense. Competitive awards at Merrimack are usually tied to honors programs, leadership, or academic departments and are covered in those sections.
Where do most students actually get their scholarships?
Most Merrimack students receive aid through automatic merit scholarships awarded at admission, often combined with need-based grants.
Is Merrimack less generous because it has no flagship awards?
Not necessarily. Merrimack spreads aid more broadly across its student body rather than concentrating large awards on a small number of students.
Sources:
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/types/grants/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/faqs/
https://www.merrimack.edu/admission/undergraduate/
Merrimack application timeline (practical playbook)
- By Nov 15: Submit a complete application to unlock the largest early-application bonus and strongest merit consideration. Music/arts students should flag auditions early.
- Nov–Dec: If eligible, proactively ask admissions about Augustinian or O’Brien consideration — these can replace merit and change the package.
- By Feb 15: Final early option for a smaller application bonus; follow up on music, FIRST Robotics, or program-based awards.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at Merrimack College (2026–2027)
These Hidden Gem scholarships include targeted institutional awards, departmental donor funds,
and curated external opportunities that Merrimack actively promotes.
Most are not automatic, often apply after the first year, and require initiative to secure.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
AFCEA STEM Majors Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
External aid typically stacks but may prompt adjustments in institutional need-based aid depending on total resources.
📄
How to Apply
Submit an external AFCEA Educational Foundation STEM majors scholarship application while enrolled full-time in a STEM or related field.
Selection criteria: Determined by AFCEA; typically considers academic performance, STEM focus and leadership/service.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Merrimack engineering site lists AFCEA Educational Foundation STEM Majors Scholarships for full-time students studying STEM or related fields; award amounts and full criteria are set by AFCEA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Competitive full-time STEM students nationally who prepare strong AFCEA applications.
App Required⚠ Graduate Only
AFCEA STEM Teacher Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Graduate
✚
Stacking & Combining
External award that can offset tuition for STEM teaching preparation; may adjust institutional aid based on overall resources.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly to AFCEA Educational Foundation for the STEM Teacher Scholarship while pursuing a graduate degree or licensure to teach STEM in K–12.
Selection criteria: Set by AFCEA; typically evaluates commitment to STEM teaching, academics and service.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Engineering scholarships page notes AFCEA Educational Foundation STEM Teacher Scholarships are for students pursuing a graduate degree or licensure for teaching STEM in grades K–12.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Graduate or licensure-track students who plan to teach STEM subjects and meet AFCEA’s competitive criteria.
Automatic⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Endowed & Restricted Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies · 📢 Results: During the academic year when selected.
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Often used to replace loans or work-study and to repackage aid while honoring donor intent.
💡
Strategic Detail
Catalog describes endowed/restricted scholarships as donated funds that vary in character and purpose, based on merit, leadership capability and financial need, and awarded during the academic year by Financial Aid.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Continuing students whose merit, leadership and/or financial need align with specific donor criteria.
Automatic
Family Sibling Discount
📅 Deadline: Varies
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
The discount is applied after institutional aid: 10% off tuition for two enrolled siblings, 13.3% off for three, 15% off for four. Doesn't combine with other discounts like the Double Warrior graduate program offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
A multi-sibling tuition reduction (10%–15% off post-aid tuition) for families with two or more children enrolled at Merrimack at the same time. Applies to new incoming entrants under the current policy and stays in effect as long as the qualifying sibling enrollment continues.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Families with two or more children enrolled simultaneously at Merrimack — either both undergraduate full-time, or one graduate plus undergraduates.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
II-VI Foundation Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
External donor-funded award that may supplement institutional aid but could affect unmet-need and loan/work-study portions.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a Coherent / II-VI Foundation scholarship application as an engineering, mathematics or science-related major; follow foundation and Merrimack engineering scholarship instructions.
Selection criteria: Determined by the Coherent / II-VI Foundation; typically emphasizes STEM major, academic performance and motivation.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Listed on Merrimack engineering scholarships site as a general scholarship for students pursuing engineering-, mathematics- or science-related degrees; detailed amounts and criteria are set by the Coherent / II-VI Foundation.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Competitive engineering, math or science students who submit strong applications to the II-VI Foundation.
App Required
MACHS Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Recipients typically chosen by May 1 for awards applied the following fall. · 📢 Results: By May 1 for entering cohort.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Up to 20 STEM students over five years across multiple cohorts. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Intended to provide substantial additional STEM support; may change composition of overall aid and can reduce loans or work-study.
📄
How to Apply
Apply and be admitted to Merrimack in a STEM major; selected high-achieving, low-income STEM students are invited and chosen by a program steering committee based on need, transcripts, essays and interviews.
Selection criteria: Selection based on financial need, academic excellence, intent to pursue a STEM major, essays and interviews by a steering committee.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
NSF-funded Merrimack Achieves Collegiate Holistic Support (MACHS) program; each recipient eligible for up to $8,100 per academic year and up to $32,400 total, projected to fund 20 STEM students over five years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving low-income STEM admits selected through a competitive review of financial need, academics and application materials.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
NSPE Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
External NSPE funds usually stack with institutional aid but may influence need-based aid calculations.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to National Society of Professional Engineers scholarship programs as an eligible engineering student following NSPE’s national or state-level instructions.
Selection criteria: Set by NSPE; typically evaluates academics, leadership and commitment to the engineering profession.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Engineering scholarships page lists National Society of Professional Engineers Scholarships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students; individual NSPE programs set amounts and criteria.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Engineering students who proactively pursue NSPE scholarships and present strong academic and professional potential.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
SAME Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Packets available in December; specific submission date set by engineering department.
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Departmental donor award that may be layered onto existing aid, potentially replacing some self-help aid depending on need calculations.
📄
How to Apply
Obtain an application packet from the engineering department, typically available in December, and submit by the department’s stated deadline.
Selection criteria: Determined by engineering faculty; typically considers academic performance and fit with donor intent.
💡
Strategic Detail
Merrimack engineering site notes SAME Scholarship provides financial aid for a deserving engineering major, with packets available from the engineering department in December.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Deserving engineering majors identified through a departmental application and review process.
Automatic⚠ Upperclassmen Only
SGH Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor-funded departmental award, generally supplementing existing packages but may adjust self-help aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
Engineering scholarships page lists SGH Scholarship among Merrimack scholarship recipients; CRP notes it is a donor scholarship for engineering students awarded during the academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Upper-division engineering students in good standing chosen by department faculty.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
External SWE awards typically stack but may cause adjustments in institutional need-based aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Society of Women Engineers scholarship portal while enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology or computer science program.
Selection criteria: Determined by SWE; emphasizes academic performance, leadership, service and commitment to engineering fields.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Merrimack engineering site references Society of Women Engineers scholarships for women pursuing ABET-accredited bachelor or graduate programs in engineering, engineering technology and computer science.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Women in engineering and related fields who demonstrate strong academics, leadership and alignment with SWE’s mission.
Full TuitionApp Required
Tuition Exchange
📅 Deadline: Set by the Tuition Exchange program; confirm eligibility each year.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
employer-affiliated tuition benefit
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
A full-tuition benefit through the Tuition Exchange consortium, generally awarded in place of (not on top of) other Merrimack institutional aid. Annual FAFSA filing and on-campus residency are required.
📄
How to Apply
If a parent or guardian works at a Tuition Exchange member institution, submit the TE EZ-Application through tuitionexchange.org. Merrimack confirms eligibility annually.
Selection criteria: Selected by Merrimack from the eligible Tuition Exchange applicant pool.
💡
Strategic Detail
A full-tuition benefit available through the Tuition Exchange consortium for dependents of employees at TE member institutions. Recipients must live on campus and file the FAFSA annually. Worth checking if a parent or guardian works in higher ed.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Dependents of employees at any of the hundreds of Tuition Exchange member institutions, selected by Merrimack each year.
Full TuitionApp Required
Tuition Remission
📅 Deadline: Coordinated through Merrimack HR each year.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
employee tuition benefit
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
A full-tuition employee benefit administered through HR rather than financial aid. Generally awarded in place of institutional merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Confirm tuition remission eligibility with Merrimack College Human Resources. Full-time employees and their dependents are eligible per HR policy.
Selection criteria: Eligibility determined by Merrimack Human Resources per institutional policy.
💡
Strategic Detail
A full-tuition benefit for full-time Merrimack employees and their dependents. Administered by Human Resources — confirm eligibility through HR before counting on it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time Merrimack College employees and their dependents.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Important: Many Hidden Gem scholarships at Merrimack are awarded
after your first year and may replace loans or work-study rather than add to merit.
Staying engaged with advisors and departments is key.
FAQ — Hidden Gem Scholarships at Merrimack College
Why don’t these show up in my first-year offer?
Many are departmental or donor-funded and awarded later, once faculty know students better.
Are these scholarships guaranteed?
No. Most are competitive and require continued academic progress and initiative.
How do students maximize access to Hidden Gems?
Declare majors early, meet faculty, and ask departments directly about funding opportunities.
Why did my merit disappear when I received another scholarship?
At Merrimack, some targeted awards (like Augustinian or O’Brien) are designed to replace standard merit rather than stack on top of it. This isn’t a penalty — it’s how the college reallocates limited funds. Always compare the total package before and after the change.
Sources:
https://www.merrimack.edu/academics/engineering-and-computational-sciences/scholarships/
https://catalog.merrimack.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=540
🎖 Honors at Merrimack College (2026–2027)
Merrimack does not have a traditional “Honors College” that every top applicant can simply opt into.
Instead, honors-style benefits tend to show up through selective academic programs, faculty-led opportunities, and (for some students) additional merit tied to honors-level participation.
Quick reality check: Honors at Merrimack is less about a big branded “Honors College” and more about
program-based opportunities.
For most families, the most reliable money is still in
Automatic Merit — not an honors-only scholarship track.
Automatic
Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Often awarded as a comprehensive package that reshapes your overall merit picture rather than purely adding on top of the Merrimack Scholarship. Compare the full offer side-by-side once it arrives.
💡
Strategic Detail
Merrimack's most prestigious merit award, tied to selection into the Honors Program. Earlier institutional charts capped this at up to $30,000 per year; the current chart simply says 'Varies by student and major,' so individual offers can land anywhere along that scale.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
The strongest academic admits — students invited into Merrimack's selective Honors Program who maintain honors-level coursework and good standing.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
FAQ — Merrimack Honors (What Parents Should Know)
Is there a separate “Honors College” at Merrimack?
Not in the traditional public-university sense. Merrimack’s honors-style benefits tend to be tied to selective programs and cohort opportunities rather than a large standalone Honors College.
Is the Honors Scholarship extra money on top of merit?
Not always. At many private colleges (including Merrimack), honors-linked awards often replace part of the top merit package rather than stack on top. Families should compare the final award letter line-by-line.
Do students need test scores to be considered for honors?
No. Merrimack is test-blind for admission and institutional scholarship consideration, so SAT/ACT scores are not used for honors selection either.
Is honors worth it if the scholarship amount isn’t bigger?
It can be — if your student wants the academic structure, mentorship, and the type of cohort experience that can strengthen grad school or internship outcomes. If your student wants maximum flexibility, honors may feel like extra obligations.
What’s the best way to increase the chance of honors consideration?
Apply early (aim for Nov 15) with a strong transcript showing rigor, consistent grades, and meaningful involvement. Honors tends to favor students who look like they’ll thrive in smaller, higher-expectation coursework.
⭐ College Specialty
Merrimack College is a private, Catholic (Augustinian) institution in North Andover, Massachusetts, known for blending
hands-on learning with close faculty mentorship. Families are often drawn to Merrimack for its
engineering and STEM growth, but the college has also built strong reputations in business, health sciences,
and teacher preparation—programs that emphasize internships, applied projects, and career readiness rather than theory alone.
- Engineering & Computational Sciences: A growing strength at Merrimack, with ABET-accredited engineering programs, strong industry partnerships, and donor-funded scholarships that support upper-division STEM students.
- Business (Girard School of Business): Known for practical, career-oriented business education with concentrations in accounting, finance, analytics, and entrepreneurship, plus strong regional employer pipelines.
- Health Sciences: Popular pre-professional pathways including nursing, health sciences, and allied health fields, supported by clinical placements and experiential learning.
- Education: Teacher preparation programs with deep ties to local school districts, offering early classroom exposure and strong licensure outcomes.
🔗 Official Merrimack College Links
Use Merrimack College’s official university resources below to confirm admissions requirements,
scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines,
eligibility rules, and award terms.
✨ Wrapping It Up
Merrimack College is a private Catholic (Augustinian) college where the money strategy is pretty clear:
most families who get real institutional help see it through automatic merit at admission, plus the
early-application bonuses if you get your file in on time.
Merrimack doesn’t run a “flagship full-ride” program — so the best way to lower cost is to execute the basics well and then
add targeted awards where your student qualifies.
Because Merrimack charges one tuition rate for all students, your outcome usually comes down to three things:
how early you apply, how strong the transcript is (rigor + consistency), and whether your student is eligible
for scholarships that stack (like music/FIRST) versus awards that are awarded in place of merit
(like Augustinian or O’Brien).
That “stacking vs. replacing” distinction is the part many families miss — and it’s often the difference between feeling surprised by an award letter
and feeling in control of the numbers.
If Merrimack is on your list, don’t guess.
Use the Net Price Calculator, apply by Nov 15 if possible, and compare Merrimack side-by-side with similar private colleges
to see where your student’s profile unlocks the most value.
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