Types of Aid - Merit-Based Scholarships

Renewing your Merit-Based Scholarships:
Frequently Asked Questions

Calvin College is pleased to offer merit-based scholarships as one way to recognize and encourage academic excellence. Each year, more than 70 percent of first-year students are awarded a renewable, merit-based scholarship. Students are selected for Calvin's merit-based scholarships based on a careful review of the following information:

GPA and academic transcripts
Scores from standardized tests (either ACT or SAT)
the student's written response to essay #2 on the admission application

These scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000:

National Merit Scholarship at $10,000
Trustee Scholarship at $10,000
Presidential Scholarship up to $6,000
Deans Scholarship up to $4,500
Faculty Honors Scholarship up to $3,500
Honors Scholarship up to $2,500
Knollcrest Scholarship at $1,000

Students are automatically considered for the merit scholarships at the time of their admission to Calvin. To be considered, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.15 (non-weighted, on a 4.00 scale), an ACT composite score of 22 or SAT combined score (math and critical reading) of 1030. The quality and content of the student's written essay is also of great importance.

The Scholarship Committee begins its selection process in November and continues to make awards on a rolling (continuing) basis for the Presidential, Dean's, Faculty Honors, Honors and Knollcrest scholarships. The National Merit and Trustee Scholarships have different selection processes, as noted below. For maximum consideration for all scholarships, applicants should be admitted to Calvin by February 1. No further scholarship application is required unless noted.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

$10,000 per year, for four years
National Merit Scholarships are awarded to students who are selected as finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Calvin awards these scholarships to students who designate Calvin as their first choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Total award value: $40,000*

TRUSTEE SCHOLARSHIPS

$10,000 per year
Students must be admitted by February 1 to be considered for this scholarship.
Students considered will be in the top 3% of Calvin's admitted students. While GPA and test scores are important considerations, the selection committee will also give careful attention to the extent and quality of the student's involvements, leadership roles and honors received in school, church, and community. The selection process for the Trustee Scholarship includes a full review of the student's completed admission file, including GPA, academic transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and careful consideration of the student's written response to essay #2 on the admission application.
Approximately 70 Trustee Scholarships will be awarded. In most cases, recipients will have initially been awarded a Presidential Scholarship; the Trustee Scholarship will replace the previously awarded scholarship.
Students will be notified of their selection for a Trustee Scholarship by March 1.
Trustee Scholarships are renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.50
Total award value: $40,000*

Students will be selected for the following scholarships based on these considerations:

academic record, including GPA and academic transcripts
standardized test scores (either ACT or SAT)
the quality and content of their written response to essay #2 on the application for admission

(This essay must clearly demonstrate both the quantity and quality of his or her involvements, leadership roles, and honors received in school, church or community activities.)

The academic profiles provided below are a guideline, not a guarantee, for each award. Within each award category, the amount of the scholarship is determined in part by the student's written response to essay #2 on their application for admission.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Up to $6,000 per year
Typical profile of students considered:
- GPA of 3.85
- ACT composite score of 28 or combined SAT of 1260
Renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.50
Total award value: up to $24,000*

DEAN'S SCHOLARSHIPS

Up to $4,500 per year
Typical profile of students considered:
- GPA of 3.75
- ACT composite score of 27 or combined SAT of 1220
Renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.40
Total award value: up to $18,000*

FACULTY HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS

Up to $3,500 per year
Typical profile of students considered:
- GPA of 3.65
- ACT composite score of 26 or combined SAT of 1180
Renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.30
Total award value: up to $14,000*

HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS

Up to $2,500 per year
Typical profile of students considered:
- GPA of 3.50
- ACT composite score of 25 or combined SAT of 1140
Renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.20
Total award value: up to $10,000*

KNOLLCREST SCHOLARSHIPS

$1,000 per year
Typical profile of students considered:
- GPA of 3.15
- ACT composite score of 22 or combined SAT of 1030
Renewable for four years with a Calvin GPA of 3.00
Total award value: $4,000*

* Total award value is based on four years of meeting appropriate renewal criteria.