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.

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. 

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

$700 per year. 

RIT will receive confirmation of eligibility from the College Board NHRS program.  Is renewable.

May be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships. 

Eligibility

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

How to apply

Complete and submit the scholarship application at rit.edu/first-scholarship.

Additional Information

$2,500 per year.

Cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships of higher value.

Eligibility

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

Additional Information

$2,500 per year.  Renewable. 

Up to 20 are awarded each year. 

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

Cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships of higher value. 

Eligibility
Recognizes high school juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, and demonstrate ability in computing.
 
 
 
Additional Information

$2,500 per year. Renewable.

Eligible students must be nominated by their high schools in their junior year for consideration.

Cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships of higher value. 

 
Eligibility

Recognizes high school juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, and demonstrate outstanding achievement in innovation, creativity, or entrepreneurship.

Additional Information

$2,500 per year. 

Eligible students must be nominated by their high schools in their junior year for consideration. Renewable.

Cannot be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships of higher value.   

Eligibility

Recognizes individual achievement and talent in the performing arts. Regardless of major, all full-time admitted first-year undergraduates are eligible for consideration. Amounts vary. Renewable based on continued participation in the performing arts at RIT.

Learn more about our Performing Arts programs

How to apply

First-year 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. 

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

Apply

Additional Information

May be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships. 

Eligibility
Eligibility depends on veteran benefit being sought.
 
 
 
Additional Information

Can cover up to full cost of attendance depending on program and other aid sources. Contact the Veterans and Military Services Office at 585-475-6641 or visit Military & Veterans website.

Eligibility

The scholarship is awarded to 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

May be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

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.

Eligibility

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

Additional Information

Renewable as long as the student remains in good academic standing.

May be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.

How to Apply

Proof of PTK membership must be submitted with a transfer application.

Eligibility

The scholarship is offeder to 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. The referral form must be received prior to the time of application submission. Nominations submitted after the student applies will not be accepted. Scholarship dollars cannot be granted retroactively for this program.

Additional Information

$1,000 per year.

May be combined with other RIT merit-based scholarships.