RIT/NTID Merit-Based Scholarships
- NTID President’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence
- Recipients are selected based on their academic records, recommendations, activities, and the requirements for their academic program. Renewable.
- NTID Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Recipients are chosen on the strength of their overall application materials: grade-point average, SAT/ACT scores, activities, and recommendations. Renewable.
- NTID Associate + Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship.
- Recipients are those who are admitted into an Associate+Bachelor’s Degree program and are chosen on the basis of their grade-point average, SAT/ACT scores, activities, and recommendations Renewable.
- RIT Performing Arts Scholarship
- Recognizes individual achievement and talent in the performing arts. Regardless of major, all full-time admitted freshman undergraduates are eligible for consideration. Scholarship may be received in addition to other RIT scholarships.
- RIT/NTID Alumni Referral Award
- The scholarship is awarded to students who are referred for admission to RIT/NTID by an alumnus/alumna of the university. Award may be received in addition to other RIT/NTID scholarships.
Please note: Deaf and hard-of-hearing students accepted into an associate or bachelor's degree program and students accepted into the ASL-English interpretation program will receive the prorated amount of $500/year to reflect the lower tuition rate these students pay. - Merit-based scholarships for students accepted directly to RIT bachelor’s degree programs. (The scholarship awards will be prorated to reflect lower tuition rate for deaf and hard-of-hearing students).
- RIT National Merit Scholarship/RIT NMSC Recognition Award
- Awarded to admitted freshmen who are National Merit Scholar finalists and name RIT as their 1st choice school for NMSC
- RIT National Hispanic Scholar Award
- Awarded to admitted freshmen who are recognized by the College Board as National Hispanic Recognition Scholars.
- RIT Presidential Scholarships
- Awarded to a select number of entering freshmen. Recipients demonstrate exceptional academic performance; receive exemplary letters of recommendation as well as strong entrance exam scores.
- RIT Founders Scholarships
- Named to recognize the founders of RIT and its forerunners, Founders Scholarships are awarded to admitted freshmen who are outstanding academically, are active and involved in their schools or community, or demonstrate special talents or abilities. 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, crafts, design, film, and photography programs.
- In addition to the award criteria listed above, the following merit-based scholarships have specific selection criteria and/or application procedures.
- RIT National Merit Scholarship/RIT NMSC Recognition Award
- Awarded to admitted freshmen who are National Merit Scholar finalists and name RIT as their 1st choice school for NMSC.
- RIT National Hispanic Scholar Award
- Awarded to admitted freshmen who are recognized by the College Board as National Hispanic Recognition Scholars.
- RIT/FIRST Robotics Scholarships
- Awarded to outstanding admitted freshman applicants who have participated on a high school FIRST team.
- RIT Project Lead The Way Scholarships
- Awarded to outstanding admitted freshmen who have completed two or more PLTW courses.
- RIT Hillside Scholarships
- Awarded to admitted freshman students to recognize outstanding graduates of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. Recipients are identified based on involvement in the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program.
- RIT Computing Medal Scholarships
- Award recipients nominated by their high schools who are admitted and enroll at RIT in the fall immediately following graduation from high school.
- RIT Innovation Creativity Award Scholarships
- Award recipients nominated by their high schools who are admitted and enroll at RIT in the fall immediately following graduation from high school.
- Merit-based scholarships for transfer students accepted directly to RIT bachelor’s degree programs. (The scholarship awards will be prorated to reflect lower tuition rate for deaf and hard-of-hearing students).
- RIT Trustee Scholarships for Transfer Students
- Awarded to incoming full-time transfer students with an exceptional academic record.
- RIT Founders Scholarships for Transfer Students
- Awarded to incoming full-time transfer students with an exceptional academic record.
- RIT Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships for Transfer Students
- Awarded to transfer students with an associate degree elected to Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
NTID Merit-Based Scholarship Guidelines
Merit-based scholarships are competitive and are awarded in recognition of exceptional or outstanding academic achievement. 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, crafts, design, film, and photography programs.
To receive full consideration, applicants for fall entry must apply by November 1 (Early Decision 1), January 1 (Early Decision 2), or January 15 (Regular Decision).
First-Year Merit-Based
The first step to be considered for merit-based scholarships is to apply for admission.
All admitted incoming students are reviewed by the Scholarship Selection Committee to determine if they qualify for standard RIT merit-based scholarships. No separate application is required and demonstrated financial need is not considered when selecting recipients.
- Merit-based scholarships are competitive and are awarded in recognition of exceptional or outstanding academic achievement.
- 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, crafts, design, film, and photography programs.
- To receive full consideration, applicants for fall entry must apply by applicable deadlines. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for multiple RIT merit-based scholarships will be awarded the highest valued scholarship unless otherwise indicated.
- Scholarships are not available during enrollment in Cooperative Education (Co-op) since a student is not charged tuition.
- Scholarships offered by RIT are prorated for NTID-sponsored students enrolled in RIT bachelor degree programs to reflect the lower tuition rates.
Additional Merit-Based Scholarships
In addition to the award criteria listed above, the merit-based scholarships shown below have specific selection criteria and/or application procedures.
Transfer Merit-based
The first step to be considered for merit-based scholarships is to apply for admission.
The following merit-based scholarships are available for NTID transfer students accepted directly to RIT bachelor’s degree programs. All admitted incoming students are reviewed by the Scholarship Selection Committee to determine if they qualify for standard RIT merit-based scholarships. No separate application is required and demonstrated financial need is not considered when selecting recipients.
- Merit-based scholarships are competitive and are awarded in recognition of exceptional or outstanding academic achievement.
- 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, crafts, design, film, and photography programs.
- To receive full consideration, applicants for fall entry must apply by applicable deadlines. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for multiple RIT merit-based scholarships will be awarded the highest valued scholarship unless otherwise indicated.
- Not available during enrollment in Cooperative Education (Co-op) since a student is not charged tuition.
- Scholarships offered by RIT are prorated for NID-sponsored students enrolled in RIT bachelor degree programs to reflect the lower tuition rates.
Additional Merit-Based Scholarships
In addition to the award criteria listed above, the merit-based scholarships shown below have specific selection criteria and/or application procedures.