Merit-Based Scholarships

"We offer generous merit-based scholarships"

Every student who applies to RIT is considered for merit-based scholarships, regardless of financial need.

No separate application is required to receive a merit-based scholarship. All admitted incoming students are automatically reviewed to determine which level of RIT merit-based scholarships will be awarded.

  • First-year merit scholarships range from $10,000 - $25,000* annually ($40,000 - $100,000* over the length of the undergraduate degree).
  • Transfer merit scholarships range from $10,000 - $25,000* annually (total amount received is based on the time needed to complete the undergraduate degree).

Merit-based scholarships are offered in recognition of strong academic achievement, regardless of financial need. Consideration may also be given to outstanding leadership, service, entrepreneurship, citizenship, or creativity. Portfolio evaluations or other evidence of creative excellence will also be considered for applicants to art, design, film, and photography programs.

10 Additional Scholarships Available

There are 10 additional scholarships that are either stackable, meaning they can be combined with an RIT merit-based scholarship to increase the total scholarship funding, or they may replace a merit-based scholarship that is a lower amount. Some scholarships require a separate application and some have specific deadlines. Learn more about additional scholarships

*Merit scholarships are determined at the time of admission. RIT scholarships are offered during semesters of full-time coursework. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for multiple RIT merit-based scholarships will be offered the highest-valued scholarship unless the indicated scholarships can be combined. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students accepted to RIT and supported by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), and students accepted directly to NTID, fall outside of these guidelines and are considered for NTID’s merit-based scholarships.

Additional Scholarships

The undergraduate scholarships shown below have specific selection criteria and/or application procedures. Some of these additional scholarships are only applicable to first-year students and others may only be applicable to transfer students.

= indicates that the scholarship is stackable. A stackable scholarship can be combined with RIT merit-based scholarships to increase the total scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Offered to admitted first-year and transfer students who are referred for admission to RIT by an alumnus/alumna of the university. 

How to be referred

An alumnus/alumna must refer a student for the RIT Alumni Referral Award. Referral forms must be received by the Office of Admission by the application deadline for the student's selected admission program. 

Nominations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Scholarship dollars cannot be granted retroactively for this program.

Additional Information 

$1,000 per year.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Offered to outstanding, admitted first-year students who have participated on a high school FIRST team.

How to apply

Complete and submit the scholarship application.

Must apply for admission to RIT by January 15 to be considered.

Additional Information

$8,000 per year.

Renewable.

This scholarship is not stackable. It cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Offered to admitted first-year students who have distinguished themselves academically, and demonstrate ability in a designated content area.

The categories include: 

  • Art and Design
  • Business and Leadership
  • Computing
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Science and Math
  • Women in STEM
How to be referred

Recipients have to be nominated by their high schools in their junior year.

Additional Information

$19,000 per year

Nominees have to be admitted and enrolled at RIT in the fall immediately following graduation from high school.

Renewable.

This scholarship is not stackable. It cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility
Offered to outstanding, admitted first-year and transfer students who are graduates of the Hillside Work Scholarship Connection Program.
 
 
 
Additional Information

$12,000 per year.

Recipients are identified based on involvement in the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program.

Must apply for admission to RIT by January 15 to be considered.

Renewable.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Offered to admitted first-year students who are National Merit Scholarship finalists and name RIT as their first choice school for NMSC.

Additional Information

$2,000 per year. RIT will receive finalist confirmation from NMSC.

Renewable as long as student meets NMSC guidelines.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Offered to admitted first-year students who are recognized by the College Board’s African-American Recognition, Hispanic Recognition, Indigenous Recognition, and Rural and Small Town Recognition programs.

Additional Information

$2,000 per year.  RIT will receive confirmation of eligibility from the College Board NHRS program. 

Renewable.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Recognizes individual achievement and talent in the performing arts. Regardless of major, all full-time admitted first-year and transfer undergraduates are eligible for consideration. 

Learn more about our Performing Arts programs

How to apply

First-year and transfer applicants to RIT are eligible to apply for the Performing Arts Scholarship, regardless of intended major.

The application consists of a series of questions regarding your performing arts experiences and goals, and a place to provide performance examples via YouTube or Vimeo. 

Application Deadlines

Students should apply by the following deadlines for best consideration for the program, however, applications received after the deadline will still be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Fall Entry

 Performing Arts Deadline
First-year (incl. Early Decision I or II, Early Action, Regular Decision) and transfer students January 15

Spring Entry

 Performing Arts Deadline
First-year and transfer students November 1

Use the link below to begin. An authenticated login is required. Use your RIT application account login credentials.

Apply

Additional Information

Amounts vary.

Renewable each year you are involved in performing arts at RIT.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility
Offered to outstanding, admitted first-year students who have completed two or more PLTW (Project Lead the Way) courses.
 
 
 
Additional Information

$8,000 per year. 

Must apply for admission to RIT by January 15 to be considered.

Up to 20 are awarded each year.

Renewable.

This scholarship is not stackable. It cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Eligibility

Offered to admitted transfer students with an associate degree elected to Phi Theta Kappa honor society. 

Additional Information

Renewable as long as student remains in good academic standing. 

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

How to Apply

Proof of PTK membership must be submitted with transfer application. 

Eligibility

Offered to admitted first-year students who have been recognized as Urban League Black Scholars.

Additional Information

Applicants for admission will automatically be considered. Must apply for admission to RIT by January 15 to be considered.

$2,000/year. Renewable.

This scholarship is stackable. It may be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

Veteran and Military Benefits

Eligibility
First-year and transfer students enrolling in ROTC who are academically qualified.
 
 
 
Additional Information

Amounts are determined by ROTC.

Contact the appropriate ROTC office:

Eligibility

First-year and transfer students who have accepted 3 or 4 year Army, Navy, or Air Force ROTC scholarships, enrolled in ROTC, and are academically qualified.

Additional Information

These students are eligible for this award starting in year 1. This scholarship is equivalent to the standard dorm room and default meal plan charges. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for details regarding your individual financial aid offer.

Eligibility

Eligibility depends on veteran benefit being sought.

Additional Information

Contact the Office of Veteran Student Success.

Can cover up to full cost of attendance depending on program and other aid sources.