Merrimack College Scholarships (2025–2026)
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Last Updated on January 6, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~72%
- Middle 50% ACT: 27–31 (among score submitters)
- Middle 50% SAT: 1060–1250 (among score submitters)
- Average GPA (HS): ~3.5
Source: Merrimack College Office of Admissions (most recent cycle). Middle 50% reflects score submitters only; Merrimack is test-optional.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Merrimack at a Glance
https://www.merrimack.edu/bursar/tuition-expenses/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/tuition/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/merrimack-college/admissions
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166850-Merrimack_College
https://www.merrimack.edu/student-accounts/tuition-expenses/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Merrimack College (2025-2026)
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. Because Merrimack is a private college, costs are the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Required Fees | $51,080 | $51,080 |
| Housing & Meals (average) | $23,884 | $23,884 |
| Total (Direct/Billed) | $74,964 | $74,964 |
Why only these items? These are the costs you typically pay directly to Merrimack College — tuition, required fees, housing, and meals. The full Cost of Attendance used for financial aid also includes:
- Books & supplies (≈ $1,000/year)
- Transportation (≈ $1,000/year)
- Personal expenses (≈ $450/year)
- Program-specific fees (e.g., nursing or music, if applicable)
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price at Merrimack College is about $37,899 per year after grants and scholarships (federal IPEDS data).
This figure reflects students across all income levels.
Families with financial need or strong academics often pay significantly less, while families without aid may pay closer to the full billed cost.
Use Merrimack’s official Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Merrimack College does not participate in regional tuition exchanges such as WUE, ACM, MSEP, or NEBHE. Because it is a private institution, all students pay the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Cost reductions at Merrimack come primarily from:
- Institutional merit scholarships
- Need-based grants
- Federal and state financial aid
There is no in-state vs. out-of-state tuition gap to overcome — aid is the main lever for lowering cost.
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.
https://www.merrimack.edu/bursar/tuition-expenses/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/tuition/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166850-Merrimack_College
- 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.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Up to $30,000/year | Automatically considered for all undergraduate applicants; based on holistic review (academics + accomplishments). | No | Yes (typically up to 4 years with good academic standing) | Strong academic admits; often ~3.6–3.8 GPA* with solid coursework and involvement. | Apply early (best by Nov 15; rolling after) |
| Merrimack Scholarship | $15,000–$29,000/year | Automatically considered for all undergraduate applicants; awarded based on holistic review. | No | Yes (typically up to 4 years with good academic standing) | A broad range of admitted students; commonly ~3.3–3.7 GPA* (rigor matters). | Rolling admission, but earlier is better (aim for Nov 15) |
| Early Application Scholarship (EA/ED I) | $3,000 (one-time) | Submit a complete application by the Nov 15 Early Action I / Early Decision I deadline. | No | No (one-time) | Students who apply early and have a complete file on time (not merit-competitive; it’s a timing incentive). | Nov 15 |
| Early Application Scholarship (EA/ED II) | $2,000 (one-time) | Submit a complete application by the Feb 15 Early Action II / Early Decision II deadline. | No | No (one-time) | Students who apply by the EA/ED II deadline with a complete file. | Feb 15 |
*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.
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/
- 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.
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.
- See Automatic Merit Scholarships for the primary way Merrimack reduces cost
- See the Honors section for program-based scholarships and academic perks
- See Hidden Gem Scholarships for smaller leadership and departmental awards
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.
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/types/grants/
https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/faqs/
https://www.merrimack.edu/admission/undergraduate/
🎖 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.
| Program / Scholarship | What You Get | How Students Qualify | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Gets It? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Program (Merrimack) | Smaller seminars, faculty mentorship, priority-style academic support, and honors-level experiences (varies by cohort). | Invitation/selection based on academic strength and fit (course rigor + grades + involvement). Test scores are not used. | Sometimes (program review / invitation) | N/A (program status) | Students who want a more structured academic experience and can handle honors expectations. | Best by Nov 15 (early consideration) |
| Honors Scholarship (program-based) | Varies; typically replaces/reshapes top-tier merit rather than stacking “extra” money. | Selection into an honors-level cohort or program; continued participation and academic standing required. | Yes (via honors consideration) | Yes (with participation/standing) | Top academic admits who also want the honors structure (not just the scholarship). | Priority by Nov 15 |
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.
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Undergraduate Admissions:
Undergraduate Admission
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Application Deadlines & Early Options:
Application Process
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Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid:
Scholarships and Grants
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Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
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Net Price Calculator:
Net Price Calculator
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Common Data Set & Student Profile:
https://www.merrimack.edu/about/institutional-research/ -
Academic Programs & Majors:
Schools and Programs