Related sites
Sites of interest
Podcast Extras

Making Sense of Financial Aid
Learn about the differences between various offers of student aid; how to evaluate those offers; and questions to ask before accepting a particular aid package.
more »

The Myths of Financial Aid
A discussion with the Director and Associate Director of Student Aid at Bowdoin.
more »

National Merit Scholarships at Bowdoin

If you are named a National Merit finalist by the National Merit Corporation, you may be awarded one of three types of awards:

  • a $2500 National Merit scholarship directly from the National Merit Corporation,
  • a $2000 Bowdoin-sponsored National Merit scholarship, or
  • a corporate-sponsored National Merit scholarship in varying amounts.

Only the National Merit Scholarship Corporation may name finalists. Since Bowdoin receives official notification of named National Merit scholars after our award letters are mailed, a revised award letter incorporating the National Merit award is mailed to finalists in late April.

students gathering in faculty office

National Merit scholarships are integrated into Bowdoin financial aid awards according to your scholarship type and your aid eligibility.

  • For students who demonstrate financial need at Bowdoin…
    • If you demonstrate need for grant support at Bowdoin (according to Bowdoin’s methodology), and you are selected for a $2500 National Merit scholarship or a $2000 Bowdoin National Merit scholarship, your full need is met with campus employment and grant money (including your merit award). Federal Stafford loan is still available to students to help with the family contribution, if desired. If need continues in the upper-class years, winners of either of these award types who enroll at Bowdoin will have their National Merit scholarship renewed annually under similar terms. 
    • If you demonstrate need for grant support at Bowdoin (according to Bowdoin’s methodology), and you are selected as a recipient of a corporate-sponsored National Merit scholarship, the scholarship replaces (substitutes for) Bowdoin’s offer of job and grant in that order. Renewal of corporate-sponsored merit awards is determined by the sponsoring corporation.

  • For students who do not demonstrate financial need…
    • Finalists selected as recipients of $2500 National Merit scholarships in the first year receive a $1000 recognition award from Bowdoin in the upper-class years.
    • Finalists selected as recipients of Bowdoin-sponsored National Merit scholarships receive a $1000 recognition award, renewable each year.
    • Renewal of corporate-sponsored merit awards is determined by the sponsoring corporation and may vary from year to year.

To receive National Merit scholarship support from Bowdoin, finalists must name Bowdoin College as their first choice institution.