Scholarships and Grants
The Bucknell Scholarship Program
Our scholarship program is a mix of need-based, above-need and no-need awards. This blended approach to awarding institutional scholarship funds provides the university with the flexibility to appropriately recognize the achievements of the best and brightest students within our applicant pool.
The majority of scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need; a limited number of scholarships are available for students who do not have financial need or do not apply for financial aid.
Since we have an exceptionally talented pool of students applying for admission to Bucknell, all merit awards are extremely competitive. All students who apply for admission are automatically considered.
Bucknell University Need-Based Scholarship
This is our University need-based grant, awarded to students who demonstrate institutional financial need. Eligibility for this award can change from year to year if your family's financial circumstances should change (e.g. income, assets, number of undergraduate students enrolled at least half time in degree seeking programs) or if you do not follow the deadlines for financial aid renewal.
Bucknell Academic Scholarships recognize the most outstanding academic achievements within our applicant pool. Students who have extraordinary academic records and the promise to contribute greatly to the university’s rich learning environment are eligible to be considered.
Please see below for award descriptions.
Presidential Fellows Program
These prestigious scholarships are extremely competitive. We anticipate that about 300 students will be considered for about 25 fellowships offered to members of the Class of 2014.
Selected by the Committee on Admissions, eligible candidates will rank in the top five percent of their high school class, score at least 1450 on the SAT (or equivalent ACT), and show outstanding potential to be contributors to the university. In order to maintain this award for your four years, you must be in good academic standing in terms of both GPA and credit hours. A number of students will have these qualifications, but actual awards are competitive, so not all who qualify will be awarded.
These renewable awards are $12,500 per year, plus a $1,500 internship.
Dean’s Scholarships
Up to 125 members of the Class of 2014 will be designated as Dean’s Scholars. Selected by the Committee on Admissions, eligible candidates will rank in the top five percent of their high school class and score at least 1380 on the SAT (or equivalent ACT). In order to maintain this award for your four years, you must be in good academic standing in terms of both GPA and credit hours. A number of students will have these qualifications, but actual awards are competitive, so not all who qualify will be awarded.
These renewable awards are $10,000 per year.
Bucknell Enrichment Scholarships recognize that students can bring to campus special talents and life experiences that will enrich the university’s learning environment. Recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress each year.
Please see below for award descriptions.
Campus Enrichment Scholarships
We plan to have up to 90 awards in the Class of 2014. Selected by the Committee on Admissions, eligible candidates will have life experiences that will contribute to the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus. First generation college students, students from outside the university’s traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered. In order to maintain this award for your four years, you must be in good academic standing in terms of both GPA and credit hours. A number of students will have these qualifications, but actual awards are competitive, so not all who qualify will be awarded.
These renewable awards are $6,000 per year.
Talent and Performance Scholarships
Bucknell offers a rich campus life that includes opportunities in the performing arts. In order to be eligible for these awards, students must have academic records that match with profile of the Bucknell student body.
Music, Theatre, Dance, Art/Art History and Creative Writing Scholarships are each selected by their respective faculty departments. The award recipients must meet Bucknell's academic expectations as well as participate in their respective departments' programs. We plan to have approximately 60 performing arts scholarship recipients in the Class of 2014.
These renewable awards range between $2,500 and $10,000 per year. Financial need is not a requirement. Please visit the arts merit scholarship website at www.bucknell.edu/admissions/arts for additional information on award descriptions and the selection process.
Athletic Awards
Selected by the Department of Athletics, 6 first year students (3 men and 3 women), each year will receive Basketball Scholarships that cover tuition, fees, average room and average board. (Students who select higher room and board amounts than are included in the published comprehensive cost will be responsible for the difference.)
Federal Pell Grants
These need-based federal grants are available to students with the highest calculated need. This award currently ranges between $400 and $5,350 annually.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This is awarded to Pell recipients who have the highest need. Please be aware that we receive a limited amount of SEOG from the federal government, so not all Pell recipients will receive it. SEOG is not in addition to initial awards, but will replace previously awarded Bucknell Funds.
State Assistance and Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant
We award estimated amounts to PA residents who appear to be eligible based on their CSS PROFILE information. The estimated award range is up to $4,120. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before May 1 in order to apply for this program, and this date is strictly enforced by the state agency.
Bucknell is not able to make up these funds if you do not apply properly and on time. If we do not list this grant on your award letter but the state determines that you are eligible at a later date, please be aware that we will reduce any previously awarded Bucknell University need-based Scholarship dollar for dollar.
Students from outside PA should check with their state agencies for information. Many states provide funds for post-secondary education. Many of these grants are transferable to out-of-state institutions, including those received by residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Unfortunately, state grants awarded to residents of New York and New Jersey are not transferable to colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
Students are recommended to apply to their state grant programs by filing the appropriate application form or by releasing the data to the state on the FAFSA. FAFSA instructions list the deadline dates for filing the form as a state grant application.
