The Presidential Scholarship Program
Villanova University seeks to attract academic, civic, and culture leaders who represent diverse intellectual, social, racial, and economic backgrounds, including those from families in which few or no members have attended college. Successful candidates are awarded this renewable scholarship, which covers tuition, general fee, room, board and books for eight consecutive semesters. (NOTE: This scholarship only is applicable to the University’s General Fee. All other fees are the responsibility of the student. A student’s eligibility for Federal and/or State grant dollars may be applied to these fees.)
Presidential Scholarship Committee
The Presidential Scholarship Committee is composed of the Deans of each of the undergraduate colleges (Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Engineering and Nursing) as well as the Director of the University Honors Program and the Assistant Vice President of Multicultural Affairs who serve as Co-Chairs. College selection committees for each of the colleges are appointed annually by their respective Dean.
Criteria
The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and active participation in their school and the broader civic community. Effective with the awarding for the 2009-10 academic year (i.e., those students who will enter as freshmen in the fall 2009 semester), students must be nominated by the chief academic officer of their high school (principal, president, headmaster) or an official school designee. Nominees will be expected to show evidence of superior academic performance as reflected by their high school course selection and grade point average, as well as a high level of achievement on the SAT or ACT. Candidates will be required to submit a resume and essay along with the nomination form. The average weighted high school grade point average of candidates selected as finalists for the Presidential Scholarship in the Fall 2009 entering freshman class was 4.23 (on a 4.00 weighted scale) and the average combined SAT score (Critical Reading and Math) was 1460 with ACT scores that were similar in competitiveness. A total of 28 Presidential Scholarships totaling $1,034,600 were offered to freshman candidates for the 2009-10 academic year.
Each year, a number of historically underrepresented students who have demonstrated leadership in their ability to make significant contributions to the academic and social cultures within their schools and communities are awarded Presidential Scholarships. In addition to tuition, the cost of textbooks, and room and board charges (up to the 19 meals-per-week plan) for eight consecutive semesters also will be included. A total of 6 scholarships totaling $277,794 were offered to freshman candidates for the 2009-10 academic year.
Further Information
For more information regarding the Presidential Scholarship Program, visit the following web sites: Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and The Center for Multicultural Affairs. For more information regarding the Program’s particular commitment to enrolling Underrepresented Students, contact the Center for Multicultural Affairs at 610-519-4075.
- Villanova University Honors Program: The academic home of our Presidential Scholars.
- Office of Financial Assistance.
