Scholarships and Grants
Bucknell Grants and Scholarships
Bucknell University seeks students who are highly motivated and intellectually curious scholars with an enthusiasm for learning and a passion for community. We believe in students who are meritorious in many different aspects, including academics, athletics and the performing arts. Our grant and scholarship program is a mix of grants that are based on financial need and scholarships that are based on merit. This blended approach to utilizing institutional grant and scholarship funds provides the university with the flexibility not only to enroll the class, but shape the class, and to appropriately recognize the achievements of the best and brightest students in our applicant pool. Our merit aid is limited, but we encourage students to contact the respective offices to learn more about merit aid possibilities.
The majority of funding is awarded to students who have demonstrated institutional financial need as determined by our Office of Financial Aid. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded to students who either 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 University each year, our scholarships are extremely competitive. Our review of applications is comprehensive and holistic, extending beyond formulas and metrics to allow for a thorough consideration of each applicant and his or her achievements and experiences.
Bucknell University Need-Based Grant
This is our University need-based grant, awarded to students who have institutional financial need as calculated by Bucknell University's Office of Financial Aid. Eligibility for this award can change from year to year if your family's financial circumstances change (e.g. income, assets, number of undergraduate students enrolled at least half time in first undergraduate degree seeking programs) or if you do not follow the procedures and meet 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 be aware that our merit scholarships are only awarded to incoming first-year students. See below for award descriptions.
|
Scholarship |
Description |
Financial Award |
Need or Merit Based |
Renewability |
|
Presidential Fellowships |
Recognizes the finest applicants through a thorough evaluation of each candidate who demonstrates exceptional potential to the university. Recipients present superior academic profiles, highlighting a very rigorous curriculum, superior grades and standardized test scores with a commitment to school and civic engagement. In addition, given the annual research opportunity, candidates display an eagerness for scholarly endeavors. We plan to offer approximately 80 Presidential Fellowships in order to enroll approximately 25 students. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions. |
$20,000 renewable per year, beginning with the Class of 2015 plus $1500 Research Opportunity with a faculty member |
The vast majority of these awards are need-based. However, we will award a small number to a few students who either do not have need as determined by Bucknell University's Office of Financial Aid, or are not financial aid applicants. |
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and satisfy particular requirements of the program. |
|
Bucknell Women in Science and Engineering Scholars (B-WISE) |
Initially established through a grant from the Clare Boothe Luce Foundation and continued by Bucknell, this program supports high-achieving women engineering majors. B-WISE Scholars enjoy mentoring relationships with our Deans of Engineering. We plan to offer approximately 30 B-WISE Scholar opportunities in order to enroll 5 students. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions. |
$20,000 renewable per year |
Financial need is not a requirement. |
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you meet the requirements of the academic department and maintain satisfactory academic progress. |
|
Dean's Scholarships |
Recognizes exceptionally strong applicants through a thorough evaluation of each candidate who demonstrates tremendous potential to the university. Recipients present outstanding academic profiles, highlighting a very rigorous curriculum, superior grades and standardized test scores with a commitment to school and civic engagement. We plan to offer approximately 150 Dean's Scholarships in order to enroll approximately 75 students. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions. |
$10,000 renewable per year |
The vast majority of these awards are need-based. However, we will award a small number to a few students who either do not have need as determined by Bucknell University's Office of Financial Aid, or are not financial aid applicants.
|
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and satisfy particular requirements of the program.. |
|
Campus Enrichment Scholarships |
Recognizes applicants with diverse life experiences who will contribute to the cultural and intellectual campus community. 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. We plan to offer approximately 100 Campus Enrichment Scholarships in order to enroll approximately 50 students. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions.
|
$6,000 renewable per year |
The vast majority of these awards are need-based. However, we will award a small number to a few students who either do not have need as determined by Bucknell University's Office of Financial Aid, or are not financial aid applicants.
|
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and satisfy particular requirements of the program. |
|
Arts Merit Scholarship |
Recognizes applicants with extraordinary talents in performing arts selected by faculty members through auditions. Awards are available for the following areas: Music, Theatre, Dance, Art/Art History, Creative Writing, Literature and Film/Media Studies. The award recipients must meet Bucknell's academic expectations as well as participate in their respective departments' programs. We plan to enroll approximately 70 Arts Merit Scholarships in order to enroll approximately 35 students. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions.
|
Range between $2,500 and $10,000 renewable per year |
Financial need is not a requirement. |
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you meet the requirements of the academic department and maintain satisfactory academic progress. |
|
Mathematics Scholarships |
Recognizes mathematics applicants for superior academic performance. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions.
|
$10,000 renewable per year |
Financial need is not a requirement. |
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you meet the requirements of the academic department and maintain satisfactory academic progress. |
|
FIRST Scholarship |
Recognizes students who have participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition at least one full season, a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team or have been a mentor for a FIRST Lego League (FLL) team during high school. Applicants must submit a 500 word essay regarding your FIRST experience and your career goals, as well as a letter of recommendation from an adult mentor/coach on your FIRST team. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions.
|
$10,000 renewable per year We plan to award approximately 12 in order to enroll no more than 5 students. |
Financial need is not a requirement. |
Automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress and satisfy particular requirements of the program. |
Athletic Aid
For incoming students, we have limited athletic merit aid available in a number of our sports programs. Opportunities vary, so please contact the respective coach for details.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students with the highest federal need. Awards currently range from $400 to $5,550. If you become Pell eligible after we receive and review your tax information, please be aware that we will reduce previously awarded Bucknell Need-Based Grant dollar for dollar.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The SEOG grant is awarded to Pell recipients with the highest federal need. Please be aware that our SEOG funding is very limited, so not all Pell recipients will receive it. If you become SEOG eligible after we receive and review your tax information, please be aware that we will reduce previously awarded Bucknell Need-Based Grant dollar for dollar.
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. Awards currently range from $500 to $4,348 (but this may change depending on the state budget). 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 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 Grant 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.
