Merit based scholarships are given after you submit your FAFSA, if one is available, based on individual institution's minimum GPA cut offs. They want your individual FAFSA to ensure that you're eligible to have the remaining fees/tuition covered when drafting your reward and for regulatory reporting purposes. Like all scholarships, they will come in different amounts, depending on the school (usually only a small percentage). FA offices will also have needs-based scholarships and may also have a master list of other available scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for (write an essay). Keep in mind that many schools take away needs-based scholarships if you receive other scholarships.
Federal Pell Grants are not available for graduate students, however, you may ask for your FA office to maximize your Perkins Loans versus Graduate Plus or whatever. There are many advantages to Perkins Loans. That's what I did.
