Scholarships are forms of financial aid that do not have to be repaid.
Scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit, talent or affiliation. Scholarships large and small may be part of a student’s financial aid award. At Shenandoah University we provide a variety of scholarships to students. Our institutional aid is based on academic merit as well as need. All institutional aid is renewable for four years as long as the student remains at full-time and has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. Awards will be divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.
$22,000 per year
The Presidential Scholarship is a highly selective, limited scholarship available to incoming first-year students. There are only 10 Presidential Scholarships awarded each year and selection is quite competitive. In order to be considered for a Presidential Scholarship, a student must be admitted no later than February 1 and meet the GPA score requirement:
Minimum high school GPA of 3.8 (weighted GPA is accepted)
Scholastic, leadership, and community activities are considered in the evaluation process. Consideration is based upon a student’s application for admission to the university; no additional application is required to apply. However, students are strongly encouraged to submit an activity resume with their admission materials.
This scholarship may be renewed annually for a total four years, as long as the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. The Presidential Scholarship is awarded in place of the Academic Scholarship, Donor Funded Scholarship(s), and/or Conservatory Scholarship.
$7,000 – $17,000 per year*
The Academic Scholarship is available to incoming first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, or School of Nursing. Consideration is based upon a student’s high school GPA, and their program of study at Shenandoah.
The Academic Scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Office of Financial Aid and listed in the undergraduate catalog.
*May very by degree.
$5,000 – $12,000 per year*
The Academic Transfer Scholarship is available to students transferring from another college or university into the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, or School of Nursing. Eligibility is based upon the student’s cumulative GPA from those transfer credits accepted by Shenandoah University. No additional application is required to apply; eligibility is determined based upon a student’s application for admission to the university.
The Academic Transfer Scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Office of Financial Aid and listed in the undergraduate catalog.
*May very by degree.
$2,000 – $22,000 per year
The Conservatory Scholarship is available to students pursuing a degree within the Shenandoah Conservatory. The scholarship is awarded based upon a student’s application for admission, their audition, and the needs of the conservatory.
The Conservatory Talent Award may be renewed annually for a total of four years. Recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and meet the requirements as set by the Conservatory to keep the award. This scholarship is awarded in place of the Academic Scholarship.
$1,000 per year
Shenandoah University offers a scholarship to full-time undergraduate students who are residents of Virginia and have been members in good standing of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church for at least one year. Membership standing must be certified by their minister.
The Methodist Scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Office of Financial Aid and listed in the undergraduate catalog – Application.
Shenandoah Specialized Endowed Scholarships
These scholarship opportunities are provided by the generosity of our donors and have unique requirements that include location of High School and High School GPA. These scholarships may require an essay.
Shenandoah’s mission commits the institution to advancing global citizenship. There are a number of financial aid and scholarship programs that are available only to US citizens or Virginia residents. However, in recognition that SU is also home to many international students and all that they bring to our community, SU has designated international scholarship amounts.
Undergraduate international applicants are considered for an international student scholarship at the time of acceptance to the university. Eligible applicants for consideration may include any first-year or transfer applicants who hold primary citizenship in a country other than the U.S.* Scholarship amounts vary based on applicant qualifications and GPA.
*U.S. Citizens, dual U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for a scholarship in this category but may be eligible for other scholarships listed on this page.
Scholarships equal to tuition
Shenandoah University participates in the tuition exchanges programs of The Tuition Exchange and the Council of Independent Colleges. These not-for-profit, reciprocal scholarship programs make it possible for the undergraduate dependents of faculty and staff at participating colleges and universities to apply for full tuition scholarships at partner institutions. The scholarship is available to incoming first-year students only and supplements the VTAG and other Shenandoah scholarships to bring the total amount covered to full-tuition; this is not stackable with institutional or state grants. Students are selected based upon their high school GPA.
This scholarship may be renewed annually for an additional three years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Office of Financial Aid and listed in the undergraduate catalog. Eligibility for tuition exchange must be certified annually by the tuition exchange liaison of their parent’s institution. No additional application is required to apply. Recipients are notified in March.
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue scholarships from outside the university. Your home community and the Internet can be great potential sources for a scholarship. Also, do not stop applying for scholarships once you have been enrolled at Shenandoah University. Outside scholarship opportunities will continue to become available throughout your academic career.
If you receive scholarships from outside of Shenandoah University, please make our office aware by reporting them by selecting the “Report/View Outside Awards” tab from the menu in Hornet Hub.
Outside Scholarships List
Important information to consider when searching for scholarships: Scholarship Scams
At Shenandoah we understand that Financial Aid is an important, and sometimes confusing, factor in your college search process. We are here to help you understand your Shenandoah University financial aid package and financial options. Contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Find out more about your Cost of Attendance