INVEST IN YOURSELF
As a student at DePauw University, you’ll spend four years forming valuable relationships, learning through adventure and building leadership skills that will pay dividends over your lifetime.
When it comes to paying for your DePauw education, we’re here to help you and your family. Our Financial Aid staff is committed to working with your family to ensure the accessibility of our academic and residential programs. We carefully assess each student’s unique financial circumstances and find the best combination of need-based financial aid and merit-based awards that you are qualified to earn for funding.
Remember, the Financial Aid Office is your partner and is here to assist you. We provide access to a DePauw education by proactively serving and educating families of varied economic backgrounds. Please contact us if you would like guidance through any step of the financial aid process.
Scholarships and Programs
Scholarship Programs
Our DePauw merit and performance awards are open to first-year and transfer students based on GPA, test scores, community service, leadership, musical talent and high school curriculum strength.
Any student receiving a University Merit Scholarship must maintain a 2.75 cumulative DePauw GPA at the end of each year to continue to automatically receive the award. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the scholarship.
DePauw University Merit Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded at the time of admission based on past academic performance and test scores. All DePauw applicants are automatically considered for this award. No application beyond the general admission application is required.
Rector Scholar Awards
The Rector Scholar Award is DePauw's oldest and most prestigious award. Students are selected for this award based on excellent academic achievement. It is awarded only to the highest academically qualified students in the applicant pool, typically the top five percent.
Any student receiving a University Rector Scholarship must maintain a 3.0 cumulative DePauw GPA at the end of each year to continue to automatically receive the award. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the scholarship.
The scholarship deadline has passed for Fall 2023 applicants.
Music Performance Awards
DePauw grants Music Performance Awards to music majors who demonstrate exceptional talent during a music audition. Music Performance Awards vary in amount up to full tuition, may be combined with University Merit Awards, and are limited to tuition expenses only.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Musicians who commit to enrolling in auditioned large ensembles may audition for Music Performance Awards ranging up to $3,000. Music Performance Awards are limited to tuition expenses only. Students who complete this audition will also be considered for an Applied Lessons Fee Waiver of $1,100. Learn more about auditions.
Achievement Based Scholarships
Bonner Program
Twenty Bonner scholars are selected from the incoming first-year class who have demonstrated a commitment to service and community. Bonner students must have demonstrated financial need as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Bonner Scholar candidates are identified through the application for admission. Bonner Scholar recipients receive a need-based financial aid award with limited loans that meets their demonstrated financial need. Additionally, these students receive extensive training in return for their commitment to the four-year program.
Prindle Institute Ethics Scholarship
The Prindle Institute for Ethics awards scholarships to students who have demonstrated a strong aptitude for thinking about ethics and the critical issues of our time. Recipients must incorporate an ethics education component into their curricular or co-curricular plans at DePauw. Prindle Institute Ethics Scholarship candidates are identified through the application for admission.
Bob Hershberger Servicio Program
The Bob Hershberger Servicio Program is designed for incoming first-year DePauw students interested in social justice, international curiosity, intellectual challenges, and the Spanish language. Selected participants will immerse themselves in a five-week intensive summer program on DePauw’s campus and in an international setting before the beginning of the academic year. 100% of program-related expenses are covered for students selected to participate. You must apply to DePauw University before applying for Servicio en las Américas.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR INDIANA STUDENTS
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program provides a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to select students from each Indiana county. Recipients can use the scholarship at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university.
Lilly recipients at DePauw receive:
- an Honorary Rector Scholar designation
- access to special programming, including lunches, dinners and talks from visiting VIPs
- opportunities to meet and network with alumni in all fields
- an additional advisor who will advise on opportunities such as national scholarships and internships
- a book stipend from the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program and a DePauw scholarship equal to the value of room and board.
- one fully-funded extended studies experience. This can take the form of an overseas trip during Winter or May term; more than 30 such opportunities will be offered in the coming academic year.
Rolla M. Malpas Trust Award
Available to outstanding Indiana students who have substantial eligibility for financial assistance. Need-based eligibility is determined by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Malpas Award will meet full demonstrated financial need with grant assistance.*
Learn more
Robert Lee Copeland Award
The Award covers expenses related to tuition.* Available for students graduating from Lebanon High School. All Lebanon High School applicants are considered for this award. No application beyond the general admission application is required.
*Tuition aid may include a combination of institutional and/or state grants.
Frank W. Braden Scholarship
Students from Decatur County, wishing to apply to DePauw in their senior year are selected for this scholarship upon submitting their college application to DePauw University. The Braden Scholarship includes full tuition, room and board, a $800 book stipend and an opportunity to participate in a Winter Term experience.
Awards will be based primarily on academic and personal merit. Financial need may be considered but will not be given a higher priority in the selection criteria than merit factors. Each candidate must submit the DePauw University Application for Admission consideration.
NEED-BASED AID
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for need-based, state, and federal aid.
We help make your educational investment possible by connecting you with need-based financial aid and merit scholarships for which you qualify. In addition, during your tenure as a student we provide ongoing financial counseling resources as well as study abroad support so you can make the most of every opportunity on campus.
Take the following steps to determine your eligibility for institutional and federal aid.
- Assess Affordability
Use the net price calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket expenses and possible eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid. - Submit FAFSA
Complete your FAFSA using DePauw's school code: 001792.