Scholarships and Grants

In the spectrum of educational funding, scholarships and grants are the "free money." These awards do not need to be repaid. In general, scholarships are given based on merit and grants are given based on financial need. A student is automatically considered for Federal grants and Villanova-endorsed grants and scholarships, listed below, simply by applying for financial assistance from Villanova University. For all other outside grants and scholarships, it is the student's responsibility to verify application procedures and deadlines.

Need-based Grants  |  Scholarships  | Other Scholarship Opportunities

Need-Based Grants

Villanova University Grant

This is an institutional grant based on financial need. Students must be accepted/enrolled in a full-time (minimum of 12 credits per semester) undergraduate degree program in the day college and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. All Villanova students must apply for need-based financial assistance to be considered for this institutional grant. This award can be applied only to tuition charges billed by Villanova University during the academic year (i.e. during the Fall and Spring semesters) for a maximum of 8 semesters (4 years). To be given priority consideration for the grant, students must meet the application deadline. This grant may be replaced by endowed scholarship funds.

Federal Pell Grant Program

This is a Federal grant for students demonstrating exceptional financial need and accepted/enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Application for Federal Pell Grants may be made by submitting an initial FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA. Part time students may be eligible for Pell grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This is a Federal grant administered by the educational institution based on financial need. Only undergraduate degree candidates are eligible. Priority consideration is given to Pell Grant recipients. All Villanova students must complete an initial FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA to be considered for the program.

PHEAA Grant

A Pennsylvania State Grant based on financial need for students and their parents who qualify as Pennsylvania state residents and who are accepted/enrolled in an undergraduate program and enroll for at least six credits each semester. For State Grant consideration, students are required to file either an initial FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA by May 1. Additional information on the Pennsylvania State Grant can be found at www.pheaa.org.

Other State Grants

Certain States permit its own state grant funds to be used by students attending schools in Pennsylvania, such as Villanova University. Students are responsible for checking with their respective State Higher Education Agency as to the correct application process and deadlines that are necessary for state grant consideration.

Scholarships

Each year, the University receives applications for admission from a group of gifted and talented individuals. In determining the ways in which the University will award financial assistance, a priority is placed on providing support on the basis of a student's demonstrated financial need.

In addition to need-based financial aid, the University provides financial assistance on the basis of student's academic achievements and their proven leadership and participation in activities outside of the classroom, in both their school and community; the University has a particular commitment to enrolling academic and civic leaders who are traditionally underrepresented on college campuses (e.g., low income, first generation and multicultural students.)

Presidential Scholarship  

The Presidential Scholarship is a renewable, merit-based award covering full tuition, room, board (up to 19 meals-per-week plan), general fee, and the cost of textbooks for eight consecutive semesters. Presidential Scholars are transformational leaders both on and off campus who have demonstrated a love of learning and a commitment to enhancing both their local and broader civic communities. Villanova Presidential Scholars represent diverse intellectual, social, ethic, and economic backgrounds.  Each year, of the 28 Presidential Scholarships, 6 scholarships are reserved for candidates from historically underrepresented groups; including African American/Black, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian/Native Alaskan, Asian/Pacific Islander, first in their family to pursue a college education, and low income (generally Federal Pell Grant eligible) students.

While there are no minimum grade point average or standardized test score requirements for Presidential Scholarship eligibility, the average high school GPA among Presidential Scholarship finalists for the Class of 2018 was 4.19/4.00 on a weighted scale, the average combined SAT score (Critical Reading + Math) was 1480/1600, the average ACT score was a 34/36. The Selection Committee takes a holistic approach in reviewing applicants and looks at multiple criteria including academic achievement, civic engagement, creativity, expertise in a particular field, leadership and resiliency.

In order to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, students must first be nominated by the chief academic officer of their high school (principal, president, headmaster), guidance counselor, or an official school designee.  They can also be nominated by a representative from a home school entity or non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping high school students with the college search process.  They then must submit a completed application for admission by December 1. Upon nomination, students will be given further instruction on how to apply for the Presidential Scholarship.

Important Dates:

**Please Note: According to current federal tax law, "Scholarship amounts that exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for attendance and coursework are considered taxable income to the recipient.  Amounts which would be considered taxable include scholarship funds which cover the costs of room and board, travel, and optional equipment."  Please consult your tax advisor for information regarding filing a tax return and reporting these amounts.

Villanova Scholarship

The Villanova Scholarship is awarded on the basis of exemplary academic achievement and accomplishments outside of the classroom. In order to be eligible for consideration, students will need to be enrolled in a rigorous curriculum, rank in the top 5% of their graduating class (if rank is reported), or have a minimum grade point average of a 3.85 on a 4.00 weighted scale (if rank is not reported) and a minimum combined SAT of 1380/1600 or a composite score of 31/36 on the ACT.  All grade point averages and class rank information is taken cumulatively at the end of the sixth semester of high school.

For the 2014-15 academic year, scholarships (ranging between $3,000 to $12,500) were distributed to 1,241 admitted students for a total of $6.5 million. The average, non-negotiable scholarship amount was valued at $5,200, per year. Recipients of the scholarship averaged a 4.24/4.00 GPA on a weighted scale and 1450/1600 on the SAT or a 32/36 composite on the ACT.

In order to be considered for a Villanova Scholarship a student must submit a completed application for admission by December 1 and finalists will be required to participate in the Villanova Alumni Interview Program.

Important Dates:

Commuter Scholarship

Partial tuition scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding students commuting from their families' homes who have demonstrated superior academic achievement and have exemplary SAT or ACT scores with a preference given to students who have a demonstrated financial need. Candidates for the Commuter Scholarship must apply to the University as commuting students to be eligible for consideration. Awards totaling $352,000 were offered to 28 prospective students for the 2014-15 academic year. A scholarship committee reviews qualified applicants, and recipients will be notified on or before April 1.

The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program

The Villanova/Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program awards five partial scholarships per year to academically outstanding undergraduates who are the first in their families to attend college, and demonstrate a financial need. First generation is defined as students whose parents or siblings have neither completed a degree from a two-year or four-year institution, nor are currently in the process of taking coursework towards a two-year or four-year degree. The scholarship can be renewed for an additional three years of undergraduate study if recipients maintain certain academic standards.

In order to apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete and submit the Common Application with the Member School Section for Villanova, no later than January 15. In addition, candidates must complete a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program application and submit to the Office of University Admission by February 7. The selection committee will review qualified applicants and will notify the recipients by April 1.

Sponsor: Villanova University / Coca-Cola Foundation

Award: Varies. Last year’s award amount was $6,250 per year.

Important Dates:

Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Application

Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund

The Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund has been instituted for the purpose of providing need-based scholarship assistance to those who have extensive personal interest, involvement and experience in the Hispanic/Latino culture. The award is made to students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and whose families currently reside in the United States, who come from communities or populations that have been historically underrepresented in the student body at Villanova, who have demonstrated financial need, and who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. This award will be granted to two entering freshmen. This scholarship is renewable for a total of eight consecutive regular semesters. Returning undergraduate students will be considered for scholarship renewal on the basis of their academic performance and financial need. In order to apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete and submit the Common Application with the Member School Section for Villanova, no later than January 15. In addition, candidates must complete a Goizueta Scholarship application and submit to the Office of University Admission by February 7. The selection committee will review qualified applicants and will notify the recipients by April 1.

Sponsor: Villanova University

Award: Varies. Last year’s award amount was $12,500 per year.

Important Dates:

Goizueta Scholarship Application

Hovnanian Scholarship

Established in 1990 the Hovnanian Scholarship provides funding to undergraduate students of Armenian descent to attend Villanova University on a full-time basis. The scholarship can be used towards tuition, room and board. The award is offered to qualifying students whose families currently reside in the United States, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who have exemplary high school records, correspondingly high SAT or ACT scores and are of Armenian descent. Demonstrated financial need may also be taken into consideration and is renewable each year based on available funds provided that the recipient maintains a minimum 2.75 GPA each semester.

In order to apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete and submit the Common Application with the Member School Section for Villanova, no later than January 15 of their senior year, and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Board PROFILE Form by February 7 of their senior year. In addition, candidates must complete a Hovnanian Scholarship application and submit to the Office of Financial Assistance by April 15. The selection committee will review qualified enrolled students and will notify the recipients by the end of June. Returning undergraduates will be considered for scholarship renewal based on academic performance and financial need.

Sponsor: Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation

Award: Varies

Hovnanian Scholarship Application

St. Martin de Porres Grant

Villanova University provides St. Martin de Porres Grants to serve the University’s goal of attracting a richly diverse population of undergraduate students – an essential component of our effort to offer the highest quality education to all Villanova Students. St. Martin de Porres Grants are valued at full tuition and general fees. Grant recipients are from the Greater Philadelphia area and are members of the most underrepresented groups in undergraduate education, including (but not limited to) members of underrepresented racial and ethnic populations, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students from families in which few or no members have attended college. To be eligible for consideration, students must have exemplary high school records, correspondingly high SAT or ACT scores, leadership roles, and active involvement through service to the community. The Greater Philadelphia area is defined as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties in New Jersey; and New Castle County in Delaware. In addition, candidates must complete a St. Martin de Porres Grant application and submit to the Office of University Admission by February 7. Finalists will be required to interview on campus in March. The selection committee will review qualified applicants and notify the recipient by April 1.

Sponsor: Villanova University

Award: Full tuition, general fee

Important Dates:

St. Martin dePorres Scholarship Application

Anthony Randazzo Endowed Presidential Scholarship

Denise McNair Memorial Scholarship

The Denise McNair Memorial Scholarship has been instituted in memory of Denise McNair who, on Sunday, September 15, 1963, died in the early days of the civil rights movement in a racially-motivated bomb attack at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This scholarship, valued at full tuition for eight consecutive semesters, will be awarded every four years to an entering freshman who is a U.S. citizen from a traditionally underrepresented population, has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and is committed to family, religious faith, peace and justice. The McNair Scholarship is awarded every four years to an entering freshman.  Therefore, this scholarship will next be awarded to an entering freshmen starting in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Villanova National Merit Scholarship

These awards, ranging from $500 to $2,000, are offered to top students who are designated as finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and who selected Villanova University as their first college choice. Eleven admitted students were offered awards through the Villanova National Merit Scholarship program for 2012-2013.

Air Force ROTC/Villanova Scholarship

Level 2 scholarship recipients who meet academic qualifications set by the University may be nominated by the Air Force to have their Level 2 scholarship awarded by the United States Air Force, raised to Level 1, and meet the full cost of tuition by means of state and federal grants and University funds. Up to five awards are made annually to entering freshmen selected by the University from those who are nominated by the Air Force. The student is responsible for the first year base through federal, state and family resources. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must meet all minimum academic requirements of the Villanova Scholarship.

Army ROTC/Villanova Scholarship

For selected Army ROTC award recipients, Villanova grants up to five scholarships. Villanova University agrees to fund U.S. Army scholarship winners with an amount not to exceed $5,000 to be used for University room and board charges. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must meet all minimum academic requirements of the Villanova Scholarship.

Naval ROTC/Villanova Scholarship

The University provides grants to NROTC scholarship recipients who are designated by the Navy. Traditionally underrepresented students who have been awarded a three-year NROTC award will receive a full tuition scholarship from the University for their freshmen year. Villanova also offers a limited amount of partial scholarships annually to NROTC Scholarship recipients. These partial scholarships may be applied toward room or board expenses incurred at Villanova. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must meet all minimum academic requirements of the Villanova Scholarship.