Bilkent University, a leading private nonprofit university in Ankara, Turkey, offers a range of financial award opportunities to undergraduate students — and among these the Merit Scholarship stands out as a performance-based financial benefit that rewards outstanding academic achievement. Bilkent is highly ranked internationally and attracts strong students from Turkey and around the world, with around 44% of its undergraduates benefiting from some form of scholarship. w3.bilkent.edu.tr
What Is the Merit Scholarship?
The Merit Scholarship at Bilkent University is an academic performance-based award that provides partial to full tuition waivers for students who excel in their studies. Unlike entrance quota scholarships (e.g., full scholarship or 50% scholarship given at the time of admission), the merit scholarship is annual and awarded after students complete an academic year with excellent grades.
Students are evaluated based on their GPA and ranking within their department, and funding is allocated according to how high they place among their peers.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the merit scholarship depends on a few key conditions:
1. Course Load
To be considered for a merit award, students must have taken a full minimum curriculum course load during the academic year. This excludes:
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extra courses beyond credit requirements,
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withdrawn courses,
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certain general education courses (GE 100, 250, 251),
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non-credit courses, and
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repeated courses taken in spring already completed in fall.
2. GPA Requirement
Students must achieve a minimum annual GPA of 3.30 or higher — a threshold that reflects strong academic performance.
3. Ranking Within Peer Group
Eligibility also hinges on departmental ranking:
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For non-scholarship students (i.e., those without an existing tuition award), students must be in the top 5% of all non-scholarship students in their department.
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For 50% scholarship students already receiving a partial tuition award, they must be in the top 3% of scholarship students within their department to qualify for the merit award.
Note: Students in English or French preparatory programmes do not qualify for the merit scholarship.
How Much Does the Merit Scholarship Cover?
The value of the merit scholarship depends on a student’s ranking within the eligible top group. Although official percentages and tiers are occasionally updated, the following structure — which is widely cited for recent academic years — illustrates common allocation:
| Rank Among Top 5% | Tuition Waiver Percentage |
|---|---|
| Top 1% | 100% tuition waiver |
| Next 1% | 80% tuition waiver |
| Next 1% | 60% tuition waiver |
| Next 1% | 40% tuition waiver |
| Next 1% | 20% tuition waiver |
This means the very strongest performing students in their department may receive full tuition coverage for the next academic year, while others in the top segment receive partial support.
When Is It Awarded?
The merit scholarship is evaluated and awarded at the end of each academic year. Qualified students who meet the eligibility criteria are assessed based on their annual GPA and ranking, and awards take effect for the following academic year.
What Are the Key Conditions & Expectations?
To retain a merit scholarship, students usually must:
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maintain the required course load and GPA,
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avoid disciplinary issues that could jeopardise the award,
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comply with attendance and academic regulations set by the university.
If these conditions are not met, scholarships can be downgraded or revoked.
These provisions underscore that the merit scholarship is not simply an award at one point in time — it is tied to ongoing high academic performance. w3.bilkent.edu.tr
Who Benefits Most from Merit Scholarships?
The merit scholarship primarily benefits:
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High-performing non-scholarship undergraduates who exceed expectations academically;
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Partial tuition scholarship students who elevate their award through outstanding academic progression;
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Students who aim to reduce their educational costs significantly while remaining competitive within their cohort.
Because Bilkent’s tuition and living costs can be substantial, earning a merit award can have a major financial impact for families and international students alike.
How to Maximise Your Chances
Although merit scholarships are competitive, applicants and current students can take proactive steps:
1. Understand the Criteria Upfront
Know the GPA requirement and ranking thresholds for your department early in your academic journey.
2. Focus on Consistent Academic Effort
Success isn’t just about final exams — regular performance throughout the year counts toward your annual GPA.
3. Meet Course Load Standards
Failure to take the minimum course load can disqualify you, even with a high GPA.
4. Stay Engaged & Informed
Check scholarship updates from official Bilkent University channels since scholarship conditions and amounts may be revised from year to year.
Conclusion
The Merit Scholarship at Bilkent University is a valuable recognition of academic excellence, offering partial to full tuition waivers for top performers. By rewarding students who rank highly in their departments and maintain strong GPAs, Bilkent encourages a culture of sustained effort and achievement among its student body. w3.bilkent.edu.tr
For ambitious undergraduates, the merit scholarship not only eases financial burdens but also underscores the importance of continuous scholarly dedication.
Where to Find More Information
For the most current and official details on eligibility, ranking methodology, award tiers, and application procedures, refer to:
👉 Bilkent University Scholarships page on the university website. w3.bilkent.edu.tr