Drake University National Merit Scholarships offers $1,000 per year for students with no financial need to $2,000 per year for students who demonstrate financial need. Incoming first-year students who rank as National Merit finalists and who have indicated Drake University as their first-choice institution may be considered for Drake-sponsored scholarships. Students who receive a corporate sponsored National Merit Scholarship are not eligible for a Drake sponsored National Merit. For admission, first-year students can choose the Test Score Pathway or Test-Optional Pathway. For Test Score Pathway, students can submit ACT or SAT scores, and for Test-Optional Pathway, students may choose to submit an application essay or to participate in an admission interview.