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Undergraduate Scholarships

Saint Louis University offers undergraduate scholarships that recognize, among other areas, academic accomplishment, service involvement and leadership capability. Depending on your major, there may be additional scholarship opportunities offered by your program or department.

Scholarships are awarded at the beginning of your first term and are generally automatically renewed each year, provided you maintain the required GPA and have not exceeded the maximum number of terms offered.  Unless otherwise noted, scholarships are designated for fall/spring terms only and are not available for summer. With our financial aid extension, all undergraduate merit-based scholarships at SLU are renewable for up to 10 semesters. Please note, SLU's medical and law schools, along with the fifth year of SLU's physical therapy and occupational therapy programs, are graduate level and not included in the financial aid extension.

Take the Quiz: See Which Scholarships Might be Right for You

Applying for Scholarships

At SLU, we urge all prospective students to complete their online applications for freshman admission by Dec. 1. By doing so, you are automatically considered for SLU’s merit-based scholarships. No separate application is required.

If we receive your application after Dec. 1, you will be given scholarship consideration based on the availability of funds. Separate applications are still needed for competitive awards, such as the Presidential and Martin Luther King Jr. scholarships.


Merit-based Scholarships

The Billiken, Ignatian, University, and Vice Presidents’ scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen based on your previous academic performance.

Scholarship

Award Amount
(per semester, up to 10 semesters)

 GPA
Vice Presidents' Scholarship $12,500 and above Minimum A
University Scholarship $11,000 Minimum B
Ignatian Scholarship - Billiken Award $5,000 to $7,000 Minimum B-
 

These scholarships automatically renew based upon full-time enrollment over 10 consecutive semesters and maintenance of the required 2.0 GPA.

Application Instructions

Complete and submit SLU’s online application for freshman admission and all required materials by Dec. 1.

Gaokao Scholarship (for students from China)

Eligibility Requirements

  • An overall Gaokao score placing the student above the undergraduate enrollment threshold
  • A score of 125/150 for English
  • Directly admissible to the program of study
  • Speaking proficiency equivalent to a CEFR score of B2+ based on required video interview conducted by Saint Louis University faculty

Award Amount: $10,000-$14,000 per academic year

This scholarship automatically renews based upon full-time enrollment over 10 consecutive semesters and maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Application Instructions

Complete and submit Saint Louis University's application for freshman admission or the Common Application and all required materials (Gaokao results, official high school transcript with English translation, etc.).

Competitive Scholarships

Presidential Scholarship

Saint Louis University’s Presidential Scholarship is a four-year award for exemplary student leaders. This competitive award covers the full cost of tuition for 10 consecutive full-time (up to 18 credit hours) fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.85 or higher, weighted or unweighted, as reported on your transcript at the end of your junior year. ACT/SAT test scores are not required.

These criteria are used only for determining eligibility and do not guarantee that you will be selected as a Presidential Scholarship recipient. After reviewing the applications, SLU invites a select group of students to our St. Louis campus to interview and compete for a Presidential Scholarship.

Award Amount: Full tuition for 10 consecutive full-time (up to 18 credit hours) fall and spring semesters.

Application Instructions

Topic for Scholarship Essay

Prepare a 500-word answer to the following essay question before starting your application:

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to students who live Saint Louis University’s mission of being servant leaders and men and women for others along with demonstrating strong leadership and interpersonal skills. What does it mean to you to be a leader? Give a detailed example of how you have positively influenced others through leadership, and explain how you would continue the University’s mission as a student.

Additional Notes

  • The Presidential Scholarship will replace any other offer of merit-based scholarship or award previously awarded from SLU.
  • Presidential Scholars can apply for additional funding (up to $1,200) to support an Investigative Learning Experience that can take the form of a research venture, service project, internship or other co-curricular endeavor.
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship

SLU’s Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship is an academic award offered to students who have demonstrated leadership as agents of change or influence within their school and/or community activities.

King Scholars champion the ideals of Dr. King and his legacy of servant leadership, on campus and beyond. If you receive a King Scholarship, you’ll participate in a structured program designed to deepen your self-awareness, be exposed to multicultural experiences and encouraged to develop as an advocate for positive social change.

Eligibility Requirements

Freshman Students

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 or higher, weighted or unweighted, as reported on your transcript at the end of your junior year. Transcripts will be accepted through the first semester of your senior year. ACT/SAT test scores are not required.

Transfer Students

  • Completion of at least 24 credit hours of transferable college coursework by the end of the spring term.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher as calculated by Saint Louis University (This number may not correspond with your GPA as it appears on your transcript.)

These criteria are used only for determining eligibility and do not guarantee you will be selected as a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship recipient. After reviewing the applications, SLU invites a select group of students to our St. Louis campus each March to interview for a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship.

Award amount: On average, MLK Scholars receive a total of $24,000 in scholarships and aid per year from the University. This award can be in combination with other SLU merit and/or SLU grant awards and applied to undergraduate tuition charges only.

Application Instructions

Freshman Students

Transfer Students

Topics for MLK Jr. Scholarship Essays

Please respond to the following essay prompt in 500 words or less.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.” King Scholars are members of an inclusive and intentionally diverse community that leads our campus in addressing issues of social injustices. Please describe one experience or project where you worked with and through social injustices, and what did you learn about working in diverse settings from this experience and/or project? How do you see yourself being an agent of change on SLU’s campus?

Saint Louis University National Merit Award

Saint Louis University collaborates with the National Merit Scholarship Corp. (NMSC) to fund a limited number of scholarships to freshmen each year. These highly competitive awards are funded from one of three sources — Saint Louis University, an outside corporation or the National Merit Scholarship Corp. itself.

Not all National Merit Finalists are guaranteed funding.

Award Amount: Varies

  • If SLU funds the scholarship, the recipient receives $2,000 in additional aid per year.

Application Instructions

  • Complete the steps outlined on the NMSC website.
  • List Saint Louis University as your first choice on the NMSC application.

Award Timeline

  • Spring semester, senior year of high school: SLU receives a roster of eligible students from the NMSC and determines award recipients.
  • March: NMSC begins to offer awards to students chosen by SLU. Awards are accepted by the student.
  • June: NMSC notifies SLU and awards are posted to student's financial aid award.

More Information About the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

 

Transfer Scholarships

Jesuit Transfer Scholarships

Jesuit Transfer Scholarships are awarded to incoming transfer students based on their cumulative GPA in previous college coursework. The scholarships are renewable over a maximum of 10 semesters.

Award Amount: $14,000-22,000

Complete and submit SLU’s online application for transfer admission and all required materials (transcripts, etc.). ACT/SAT scores are not required.

A+ Scholarship

The A+ Scholarship is available to transfer students who were designated as A+ eligible with their high school and attending an A+ participating community college in Missouri.

Award Amount: $3,000 per year

  • Can be combined with other merit-based University scholarships; renewable over a maximum of 10 semesters.
Community College Scholarship 

The Community College Scholarship award is available to transfer students who are currently attending or most recently attended a community college.

Award Amount: $2,000 per year

  • Can be combined with other merit-based University scholarships; renewable over a maximum of 10 semesters.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Phi Theta Kappa awards more than $37 million in transfer scholarships each year at institutions across the country, including SLU.

Eligibility Requirements 

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in previous college coursework
  • 60 transferable college credit hours (or an associate degree)
  • Confirmation of good standing by Phi Theta Kappa advisor in a letter to the Office of Admission

Award Amount: $1,000 per year

  • Renewable over a maximum of 10 semesters
  • May be combined with other scholarships award by SLU.

Application Instructions

John Paul Fechter Service Scholarship

The John Paul Fechter Service Scholarship recognizes new transfer students who have demonstrated significant dedication to community service.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must be in good academic standing and accepted into Saint Louis University
  • 30 transferable college credit hours
  • Demonstration of significant involvement in community service

Award Amount: $10,000 per year

  • Renewable over a maximum of 10 semesters with completion of 40 hours of community service per semester

Application Instructions

Billiken, Ignatian, University or Vice Presidents’ Scholarships

Transfer students who will have completed fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit at the time they enroll at SLU (not including college credit earned during high school) may, at the discretion of the University, also be given consideration for one of the freshman merit-based scholarships.

 

Other Scholarships

Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded to support the retention current SLU students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum of 30 earned SLU credit hours at time of application
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Membership in a racial or ethnic minority group that is underrepresented in relation to the University’s goal to achieve educational benefits of a diverse student body
  • Preference to students from the greater St. Louis or metropolitan area
  • Recommendation from SLU faculty or staff required

Award Amount: Two $10,000 scholarships will be awarded per year

  • Scholarships are not automatically renewed,  but recipients may apply each year.

Application Instructions

  • Applications are available in Scholarship Suite.
  • Deadline for completed applications is June 1.
  • Scholarship recipients will be selected by a campus committee by June 15.
Jesuit Community Scholarship

One student from each of the Catholic schools listed below will receive a scholarship to SLU. Each high school will recommend one candidate for the award.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA.
  • Financial need as demonstrated by a completed FAFSA. FAFSA must be completed by Feb. 1st.
  • Submit an essay
  • School nomination
  • Attendance at one of the following Catholic high schools:
    • St. Louis: Bishop DuBourg High School, Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory School, Chaminade College Preparatory School, Christian Brothers College High School, Cor Jesu Academy, DeSmet Jesuit High School, Duchesne High School, Incarnate Word Academy, Nerinx Hall High School, Notre Dame High School, Rosati-Kain High School, Saint Francis Borgia Regional High School, Saint Louis Priory School, Saint Louis University High School, St. Dominic High School, St. John Vianney High School, St. Joseph's Academy, St. Mary's High School, St. Pius X High School, St. Vincent DePaul High School, Ursuline Academy, Valle High School, Villa Duchesne Oak Hill School and Visitation Academy.
    • Metro East: Althoff Catholic High School, Father McGivney Catholic High School, Gibault Catholic High School, Marquette Catholic High School and Mater Dei Catholic High School

Award Amount: $5,000 to full tuition, depending on financial need

  • Annual award amounts will vary depending upon the financial need of the recipient.
  • This award is renewable each academic year for full-time students who maintain a 2.0 GPA and perform of 20 hours of community service annually at their alma mater high school.

Application Instructions

  • Complete and submit the online application for freshman admission, FAFSA and all required materials by Dec 1.
  • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb 1.
  • Prepare a 500-word essay in response to the question “What does a Catholic education mean to you?”
  • Student must submit the essay and complete the application to their high school counselor by the deadline established by the high school.
  • For more information, contact your high school guidance counselor.
Jesuit High School Award

The Jesuit High School Award recognizes students from Jesuit high schools for their continued commitment to Jesuit education.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Automatically awarded to freshman applicants from a Jesuit high school

Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per year

  • Renewable over 10 consecutive semesters to students who maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Can be combined with other merit-based scholarships.
  • Jesuit High School Award and Catholic High School Award are mutually exclusive. Students are not eligible to receive both.

Application Instructions

Catholic High School Award

The Catholic High School Award recognizes students from Catholic high schools for their continued commitment to Catholic education.

Eligibility Requirements 

  • Automatically awarded to freshman applicants from a Catholic high school

Award Amount: Up to $4,000 per year

  • Renewable over 10 consecutive semesters to students who maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Can be combined with other merit-based scholarships.
  • Jesuit High School Award and Catholic High School Award are mutually exclusive. Students are not eligible to receive both.

Application Instructions

Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholarship

SLU's Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholarship is an academic award for Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship supports motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholar
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Letter of recommendation from Boys Hope Girls Hope Organization

Application Instructions

  • Complete and submit the online application for freshman admission and send in all transcripts by Feb. 1.
  • Complete and submit the Boys Hope Girls Hope application by Feb. 1.
  • Submit one letter of recommendation by Feb. 1. This letter will be uploaded through the Billiken Gateway portal by adding your Boys Hope Girls Hope coordinators email address.
Access Academies Scholarship

The Access Academies Scholarship provides a scholarship to any full time undergraduate student with financial need who has graduated from an ACCESS Academies School. Access partners with three middle schools and 26 private high schools, and it serves over 500 students across the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Graduate of an Access Academies School
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Letter of recommendation from an Access Academies program

Application Instructions

  • Complete and submit the online application for freshman admission and send in all transcripts by Feb. 1.
  • Complete and submit the Access Academies application by Feb. 1.
  • Submit one letter of recommendation by Feb. 1. This letter will be uploaded through the Billiken Gateway portal by adding your Access Academies contact email address.
Family Award

Undergraduate siblings who are enrolled full-time at SLU are each eligible for the Family Award.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Multiple siblings enrolled at SLU as full-time undergraduate students
  • The Family Award can be combined with other scholarships or grants, but not with full-tuition scholarships, such as Presidential Scholarships or tuition remission.

Award Amount: $3,000 per year

  • Renewable as long as multiple siblings remain full-time undergraduate students and each student maintains at least a 2.0 GPA.

Application Instructions

Saint Peter Claver Service Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an incoming student from an urban setting who is committed to community service. Only one award is expected to be granted every four years. The selection and renewal decisions will be completed by committee.​

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum 3.2 GPA
  • Verifiable record of community service and demonstrated financial need

Award Amount: Approximately $5,000 per year

  • Renewable over a maximum of four semesters so long as you maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete 40 hours of community service per academic year in North St. Louis City and selected surrounding communities

Application Instructions

  • Complete and submit the online application for freshman admission and all required materials (transcripts, etc.) by Dec. 1. ACT/SAT scores are not required. 
  • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 15.
SLU Difference Award

The SLU Difference Award is part of the University’s Billiken Promise. Undergraduate students are awarded up to $10,000 — in addition to their financial aid packages — that can be used to pay for summer or winter terms and certain graduate courses. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Full time (12-18 credit hours)
  • St. Louis campus

Award Amount: $10,000 for first-time freshmen and $6,000 for transfer students

Nursing Scholarships

Learn more about scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the Valentine School of Nursing. 

 

Private Scholarships

In addition to Saint Louis University Scholarships, many students receive scholarships from outside sources. Though extra work is required, the reward can be significant. It is recommended that students search for these scholarships throughout their entire academic career.

Free websites exist to assist you in your search, and you may want to consider opening a separate email account to manage the responses.

Finally, you may want to write a simple, generic letter indicating why you deserve the scholarship. Then as you continue to apply, you can simply edit your letter to target a particular scholarship.

All scholarship checks from outside funding sources should include the student Banner ID number and be mailed to:

Saint Louis University
Office of Student Financial Services Attn: Scholarship Area
Room 2, DuBourg Hall
1 N. Grand Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 63103

The policies, regulations, procedures and fees are subject to change without prior notice, if necessary, to keep Saint Louis University policies in compliance with state and federal laws and/or with rules and regulations of Saint Louis University.