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, and are awarded based on GPA, test scores, community service, leadership, musical talent and the strength of your high school curriculum.
Any student receiving a University Merit Scholarship must maintain a 2.75 DePauw GPA at the end of each year in order to continue to automatically receive the award. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the scholarship.
DePauw University Merit Scholarships
This is a scholarship 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 and 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 DePauw GPA at the end of each year in order to continue to automatically receive the award. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the scholarship.
Please complete the application below and submit it, along with your essay (instructions provided below) by January 7, 2023.
Apply Now
Music Performance Awards
DePauw grants Music Performance Awards to music majors who demonstrate exceptional talent during an audition for music faculty. Music Performance Awards vary in amount up to full tuition, may be combined with University Merit Awards, and are limited to tuition expenses only.
Any high school senior who completes an application to DePauw University and the audition for the DePauw University School of Music will receive a $1,000 School of Music Audition Award in addition to their University Merit and Music Performance Awards.
College of Liberal Arts (CLA) 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.
Contact Music Admission for more information.
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. Accepted students receive a need-based financial aid award with limited loans that meets their demonstrated financial need. In addition, students receive extensive training in return for their commitment to the four-year program. Students interested in learning more about the program should contact the Office of Admission at admission@depauw.edu.
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. Students interested in learning more about the program should contact the Office of Admission at admission@depauw.edu.
Bob Hershberger Servicio Program
The Bob Hershberger Servicio Program is a program designed for incoming first-year DePauw students interested in social justice, international curiosity, intellectual challenges, and the Spanish language. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a five-week intensive summer program on DePauw’s campus and in an international setting prior to the beginning of the academic year. 100% of program related expenses are covered for students selected to participate. You must submit an application to DePauw University before you can apply for Servicio en las Américas.
Apply Now
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR INDIANA STUDENTS
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program provides a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to selected students from each Indiana county and can be used at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university.
As a Lilly Winner, you will have access to prestigious benefits:
- You will be considered an Honorary Rector Scholar
- As a Rector Scholar, you will have access to special programming, including lunches, dinners, talks from visiting VIPs
- Other opportunities to meet and network with alumni in all fields
- An additional advisor and will often meet individually with the students to discuss opportunities to take advantage of, such as national scholarships and internships
- You will receive a book stipend from the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program and a DePauw scholarship equal to the value of room and board. This total award amounts to $69,810 for the 2022-2023 academic year
- The University will provide 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. No separate application necessary.
*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 ($51,736)
Room and Board ($13,788)
Provides $800 book stipend
Provides 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 will 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.