Scholarships

Scholarships

What types of scholarships does Calvin offer?

Academic scholarships: Academic scholarships range from $1,000 to $15,000.  Consideration is automatic based on the student's admission application, GPA, and test scores.

Diversity awards: In order to advance the diversity of the student body at Calvin, these awards are given to new students who come from culturally diverse backgrounds as reflected in their admission application, including the personal statement.

Music scholarships: Scholarships of $250 to $5,500 are available for students who participate in music.  Applications are due in January; auditions are held in February.

Additional scholarships: Over 1400 named and departmental scholarships are awarded to incoming and returning students based on specific eligibility requirements. Some of these scholarships require a separate letter of application.

How does Calvin determine scholarships?

Incoming students are selected for Calvin's renewable academic scholarships based on a careful review of the following information:

• Unweighted cumulative GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)
• ACT or SAT score (not including the writing section)
• Admission application information detailing involvement, leadership, honors and cross-cultural experience
• New students may also apply for named and departmental scholarships, which are based on specific eligibility requirements and may require a separate letter of application.

When are scholarships awarded?

The scholarship committee begins its selection process in November and continues to award Presidential, Dean's, Faculty Honors, Honors and Knollcrest scholarships to newly admitted students on a rolling basis. The National Merit, Trustee, music, and named and departmental scholarships are awarded in February to new students.

For maximum consideration for all scholarships, applicants should be admitted to Calvin by February 1.  

Returning students may begin applying for Upper Class Named Scholarships using the Calvin Portal in January; applications for these scholarships are due March 1.

How do I renew my Calvin scholarship?

All Calvin academic scholarships and diversity awards are renewable for up to five years* if the recipient meets the renewal criteria. In most cases, this means the student must maintain the cumulative grade point average required. No application to renew the scholarship is needed.

• Scholarship renewal criteria for students entering Calvin 2009-11 »
• Scholarship renewal criteria for students entering Calvin 2008 and prior »

*The Calvin National Merit Scholarship is available for up to four years as long as the recipient is continuously enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress at Calvin.  National Merit Scholars are considered for a fifth year scholarship based on their cumulative grade point average.

 Can scholarship amounts change?

Students who significantly exceed the renewal criteria of their original academic scholarship have the opportunity to improve their academic scholarship. 

• Scholarship renewal criteria for students entering Calvin 2009-11 »
• Scholarship renewal criteria for students entering Calvin 2008 and prior »

How do I appeal my scholarship?

Incoming students may have their scholarships reevaluated based on:

• new academic transcripts with a higher cumulative GPA
• new scores from standardized tests (either ACT or SAT)

You must provide this information to the office of financial aid before March 1.