The starting point
Minnesota liberal arts college with one of the most family-friendly aid frameworks in the U.S.: 100% of need met, an average $19,195/year merit scholarship awarded automatically with admission, NO renewal GPA requirement, and a $10,000 outside-scholarship protection threshold below which need-based grants are not reduced.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Macalester Merit Scholarship (general)
Average $19,195 per year for 2025-26 (varies by recipient) · Variable or qualified amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: All applicants for admission are considered for merit-based scholarships. No additional scholarship application required. No FAFSA or CSS Profile needed for merit consideration. Awards announced at time of admission; Macalester does NOT award merit scholarships after admission, and there is no appeal process to request an increase. Students applying Early Decision receive the same consideration as Regular Decision.
Renewal: Renewable for eight semesters. NO minimum GPA required for renewal — a distinctive policy among generous-merit privates.
Other terms: More than half of Macalester students receive a merit-based scholarship; many also receive need-based aid on top of merit.
https://www.macalester.edu/financialaid/about/merit/
Macalester College National Merit Scholarship
Macalester-sponsored National Merit award · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: National Merit Finalists who designate Macalester as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.
https://www.macalester.edu/financialaid/about/merit/
DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarships
Named competitive merit award; specific dollar amount not publicly listed · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Selected by the Admissions committee on a highly competitive basis without considering financial need. No special application — recipients are notified at the time of admission.
Renewal: Renewed at the same amount for each semester at Macalester, up to eight semesters. No GPA renewal requirement.
Other terms: One of Macalester's named competitive merit pathways. Outside scholarships do NOT reduce DeWitt Wallace awards.
https://www.macalester.edu/financial-aid/outsidescholarships/
