Scholarships

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Fall 2023 Scholarship Matrix for First-Year Students

>Fall 2023 Scholarship Matrix for First-Year Students (PDF)

Spectrum of Scholarships Program

Aquinas College has an innovative scholarship program, for incoming traditional-aged undergraduates, called the "Spectrum of Scholarships Program." Scholarships are merit-based and recognize an array of students who have excelled in academics, leadership, athletics or community service. Aquinas recognizes these exceptional students with awards ranging from $15,000-$25,000. With the exception of the competition scholarships, there are no minimum or maximum number of institutional scholarships awarded.

Spectrum of Scholarships Competition (Saturday, January 28, 2023):

By Invitation Only.

We’re awarding 125 scholarships to the best and brightest applicants at our annual Spectrum of Scholarships Competition.

Jerome C. Byrne Full-Tuition and Room Scholarship

Each year the top performer in our annual Spectrum of Scholarships Competition for incoming first-year students will receive this full-tuition award and room scholarship. This award may be renewed for four years provided the student maintains a 3.7 grade-point average at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition to be held during their senior year. Recipients of the Jerome C. Byrne award are automatically admitted into our Insignis Honors Program. This scholarship supercedes the prior merit scholarship the student receives.

John E. Veneklasen Full-Tuition Scholarship

Each year one outstanding incoming first-year student will receive this full-tuition scholarship. This award may be renewed for four years provided the student maintains a minimum 3.5 grade-point average each year at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Recipients of the John E. Veneklassen award are automatically admitted into our Insignis Honors Program. This scholarship supersedes the prior merit scholarship the student receives.

R. Paul Nelson Full-Tuition Scholarships (3):

Each year three excellent incoming first-year students will receive this full-tuition scholarship. This award may be renewed for four years provided the student maintains a 3.5 grade-point average at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Recipients of the R. Paul Nelson award are automatically admitted into our Insignis Honors Program. This scholarship supercedes the prior merit scholarship the student receives.

St. Catherine Scholarships (10):

Each year 10 outstanding incoming first-year students will receive this award. This award is valued at $2,000 annually and is renewable for four years provided the student maintains a minimum 3.0 grade-point average each year at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Candidates must place between 6th and 15th in the competition.

St. Anselm Scholarships (15):

Each year 15 outstanding incoming first-year students will receive this award. This award is valued at $1,000 annually and is renewable for four years provided the student maintains a minimum 3.0 grade-point average each year at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Candidates must place between 16th and 30th in the competition.

St. Albertus Magnus Scholarships (95)

Each year 100 outstanding incoming first-year students will receive this award. This award is valued at $500 annually and is renewable for four years of study provided the student maintains a minimum 3.0 grade-point average each year at Aquinas. Candidates are required to attend an on-campus competition during their senior year. Candidates must place between 31st and 125th in the competition.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Departmental Scholarships

Additional Financial Aid Information

AQ Cost Calculator
Use our online AQ Net Price Calculator to find out your eligibility for merit-based scholarships and need-based assistance. Estimate your actual out-of pocket costs for an Aquinas Education.

Academic Scholarships

Valedictorian / National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship

A $1,000 merit scholarship for high school valedictorians and/or National Merit Semifinalist. All students who will graduate as the valedictorian of their class as well as all students who have been named National Merit Semifinalist will receive this scholarship.

This scholarship goes above and beyond Aquinas' Spectrum ofScholarships Program. For example, you may receive a Merit Scholarship for $18,000 or $20,000, plus this scholarship for an additional $1,000, for a total of $19,000 or $21,000 in merit-based scholarship money from Aquinas. The only scholarships that supersede this award are the Jerome C. Byrne, the John E. Veneklasen and the R. Paul Nelson Full Tuition Scholarships.

This scholarship is renewable for up to five years provided the student maintain a 3.0 grade-point average at Aquinas and submit a letter at the end of each school year detailing his or her service and volunteerism in their community, family and/or at Aquinas College.

Application
To apply for an Aquinas scholarship, please submit an application for admission to Aquinas College. You will automatically be considered for all scholarships that you qualify for by the Aquinas College Scholarship Committee. Be sure to send an official transcript and test scores in with your application. Aquinas will also need verification of your valedictorian status from your guidance counselor.

If you would like to see if you qualify for need-based financial assistance, be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available to be filed on Oct. 1.

Athletic Scholarships

Each year the athletic department awards a number of partial scholarships to individuals who excel in a particular sport. Recommendations are made by the coaches and approved by the athletic director. The awards are renewable as long as the student meets the criteria outlined in the Athletic Letter of Intent.

Alumni Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to full-time dependent students who are sons or daughters of Aquinas Alumni or parents who have earned a minimum of 60 credits at Aquinas College.

Transfer Scholarships

Transfer Honors Scholarship

Traditional age students transferring from a college with a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher may receive a $15,000 Transfer Honors Scholarship. The awards are renewable each year, as long as the student maintains a GPA of 2.75 at Aquinas. The student is considered for the scholarship at the time of application to Aquinas College. This scholarship is only for traditional age students.

Transfer Scholarship

Traditional age students transferring from a college with a cumulative college GPA of 3.0-3.49 may receive a $12,000 Transfer Scholarship. The awards are renewable each year, as long as the student maintains a GPA of 2.75 at Aquinas. The student is considered for the scholarship at the time of application to Aquinas College. This scholarship is only for traditional age students.

Transfer Grant

Traditional age students transferring from a college with a cumulative college GPA of 2.70-2.99 may receive a $8,000 Transfer Grant. The awards are renewable each year, as long as the student maintains a GPA of 2.5 at Aquinas. The student is considered for the scholarship at the time of application to Aquinas College. This scholarship is only for traditional age students.

Global Student Scholarships

Each year the Coordinator of Global Recruitment recommends high-quality foreign students for academic scholarships. Aquinas recognizes these exceptional students with awards ranging from $15,000-$20,000. Renewal of these scholarships is based upon the student's maintaining good academic standing with the College.

Scholarships & Financial Aid