Grand Canyon University offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to help make a quality education affordable. This extensive guide will outline the different scholarship opportunities available from GCU for the 2024 academic year, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Overview of GCU Scholarships
GCU values academic excellence and offers scholarships to recognize outstanding students. All GCU scholarships are renewable for up to 8 semesters as long as eligibility requirements continue to be met.
The priority deadline to complete all scholarship requirements is [DATE] for the 2024-2025 academic year. Requirements include submitting transcripts, test scores, essays, and FAFSA by the deadline.
There are three main categories of GCU scholarships:
Academic Scholarships
Requirements are based on high school GPA and standardized test scores like ACT/SAT. These are the most common scholarships offered.
Talent Scholarships
Given for talents in specific areas like arts, athletics, and music. Usually have additional tryout or showcase requirements.
Special Circumstance Scholarships
For students with unique backgrounds or hardships. Examples include foster youth, military families, and first responders. Require separate applications with proof of eligibility.
Now we will explore the specific requirements and award amounts for GCU’s major academic scholarships.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is GCU’s highest merit scholarship. It covers up to $20,000 per year of tuition.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.85
- Minimum ACT score of 29 or SAT score of 1320
- Submit transcripts and test scores by priority deadline
- Submit a 500-word Presidential Scholarship essay
- Maintain a 3.5 GPA while at GCU to renew each year
This top scholarship is extremely competitive. Only a limited number are awarded each year based on academic excellence. The Presidential Scholarship essay is reviewed by a committee for the quality of writing and critical thinking demonstrated. It is essential to craft a thoughtful, well-written response.
Trustees Scholarship
The Trustees Scholarship provides up to $16,000 annually in tuition assistance. It is GCU’s second-highest academic scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.75
- SAT score of 1230 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Submit transcripts and test scores by priority deadline
- Submit a 300-word Trustees Scholarship essay
- Maintain a 3.25 GPA each year at GCU
A lower GPA or test score than required for the Presidential Scholarship makes students eligible for Trustees consideration instead. Similar to the Presidential, a competitive number is awarded based on a holistic review of academics and essay quality.
Deans Scholarship
The Deans Scholarship provides up to $12,000 per year towards undergraduate tuition costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.5
- Minimum ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1130
- Submit transcripts and test scores on the priority deadline
- No separate scholarship essay required
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA each year enrolled at GCU
This substantial award recognizes students with strong academics but who do not quite meet the higher bar of the Trustees or Presidential Scholarships. It remains one of the most valuable GCU merit awards available based solely on high school performance.
GCU Scholars Award
For students who demonstrate excellent achievement but do not meet the criteria above, the GCU Scholars Award may be available.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.25
- Minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 990
- Submit transcripts and test scores on the priority deadline
- No separate essay required
- Maintain a 2.75 GPA yearly at GCU
This scholarship of up to $8,000 per year is designed to reward and support students who show academic promise through their high school record, despite not qualifying for the higher tiers of merit aid. It remains an impactful way to save on tuition costs.
Transfer Scholarships
GCU understands the value of transfer students and their experiences. Scholarship options exist to help make the transition affordable.
Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship
- For students transferring with an associate’s degree or at least 24 transferable credits
- Minimum 3.5 GPA on all transfer work
- Award amounts up to $10,000 per year
Transfer Achievement Scholarship
- For students transferring with at least 12 transferable credits
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on transfer work
- Award up to $8,000 annually
Both transfer scholarships require official transcripts to be submitted for evaluation by the priority deadline. Yearly renewal also depends on maintaining a 3.0 GPA at GCU.
Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility
All GCU merit scholarships require continued eligibility each academic year to renew. This means:
- Maintaining the required minimum cumulative GPA outlined for your specific award
- Enrolling full-time in at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester
- Remaining continuously enrolled without breaks (except Summer)
- Following all University conduct and academic policies
Scholarships will be re-evaluated at the end of the Spring semester. Students who fall below requirements may lose eligibility for upcoming years. Proactive academic advising is key to staying on track.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to automatic consideration for the merit scholarships above based on your academic profile, GCU offers additional options to potentially increase your award:
High Achiever Scholarship Option
- For those just below the criteria for major scholarships above
- $4,000 one-time award for strong academics and essay
LopeStrong Commitment Scholarship
- For Arizona residents with financial need
- Guarantees cost of tuition met for up to 5 years
- Requires separate application and FAFSA
Departmental/Talent Scholarship Auditions
- Vary by academic program or talent area (e.g. Theatre, Dance)
- Audition/interview required in addition to normal materials
- Can include academic + talent-based funding
The Financial Aid team is always willing to discuss your profile and scholarship fit. There may even be additional untapped potential worth exploring.
Athletic Scholarships
GCU takes pride in its NAIA athletic programs and the over 250 student-athletes they support each year. Partial and full scholarships are available through the respective coaches.
Common Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts and test scores
- show demonstrated athletic talent and skills through tryouts
- NCAA/NAIA eligibility including transcripts and test scores
- Participation commitment letter and coach recommendation
Specifics Vary by Sport:
- Recruitment timelines and tryout dates set by each coaching staff
- Award amounts at coaches’ discretion based on talent and team needs
Making early initial contact with your desired program’s coaching staff is important to explore opportunities. GCU athletics continues growing, so walk-on spots may also become scholarship upgrades with strong performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Priority Deadlines for Scholarship Consideration?
The priority deadlines are [DATE] for Fall 2024 enrollment. By this date, applicants must submit all required materials like transcripts, test scores, essays, and FAFSA for automatic scholarship review. Applications will still be considered after, but awards are not guaranteed and offered on a rolling basis as funds allow. Meeting priority deadlines ensures full eligibility evaluation.
2. Do Scholarships Stack or Can I Receive Multiple Awards?
At GCU, merit scholarships are not able to be layered on top of each other. Students will only receive the highest scholarship amount for which they qualify based on their academic and extracurricular profiles. For example, a student eligible for both the Presidential and Deans Scholarship would only be awarded the Presidential level funding.
3. What GPA is Required to Maintain Scholarships Each Year?
The minimum cumulative GPA required to renew scholarships annually is detailed for each award level previously. They range from 2.75 to 3.5 depending on the scholarship. It is critical to stay on top of academic progress and get support early from advisors or tutoring if in danger of falling below renewal levels. Only credit-bearing coursework is calculated into the GPA, not audited classes.
4. How do I Apply for Scholarships – Is There an Application?
For the automatic academic scholarships based on high school GPA and test scores, no separate application form is needed. GCU will evaluate you for consideration when they receive your transcripts and scores by the priority deadline. The High Achiever and LopeStrong Commitment programs have additional applications required. Coaches also may have athlete-specific forms for their programs. Admissions or Financial Aid can provide the right links or paperwork.
5. What Majors are Eligible for Different Scholarship Amounts?
All undergraduate majors and programs at GCU qualify for the same merit scholarship award amounts and criteria described for academic, transfer, athletic, talent, or special circumstance scholarships. The funding levels do not vary based on a student’s intended field of study. Private or restricted scholarships offered through specific colleges or departments may have their own targeted criteria, but standard GCU merit awards apply university-wide.
