Scholarships and grants

We believe nothing should ever stand in the way of the person you were meant to become. All Bluffton students receive one or more of the following Bluffton scholarships and grants. 

For students entering Bluffton fall 2024

Scholarship competitions

Presidential Scholarship Competition  
Students with a 3.5 GPA (or higher) and a 24 ACT/1160 SAT (or higher) automatically qualify to participate in the annual Presidential Scholarship Competition on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. You may also qualify for participation with a 3.75 GPA with no test scores required. Students attending these events compete for a full-tuition Presidential scholarship.

This scholarship is renewable all four years, if the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA, making it valued at more than $138,800 over four years.   >>> more information


Academic scholarships and grants

First-year students will be eligible to receive one of the following Academic Scholarship or Grant:

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship
    This prestigious $22,000 award (valued at $88,000 for four years) is given to high-achieving students who have distinguished academic records and accomplishments, based on GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA.
  • Academic Honors with Distinction Scholarship
    This $20,000 annual scholarship (valued at $80,000 for four years) is awarded to new students with high academic standing who have proven themselves in the classroom and beyond. It is awarded based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA.
  • Trustees Scholarship
    This $18,000 annual scholarship (valued at $72,000 for four years) is named in honor of Bluffton University's trustees who actively invest their time and resources into Bluffton students. Awarded to strong students based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 2.5 collegiate GPA.
  • Centennial Scholarship
    This $16,000 annual scholarship (valued at $64,000 for four years) is named in recognition of the 100+ years of education that Bluffton University has provided students in preparing them to impact the global community. Awarded to new students based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 2.3 collegiate GPA.
  • Founders Grant
    A $14,000 award (valued at $56,000 for four years) is given to new students who seek to continue discovering their academic potential.

 
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Music scholarships
Art major scholarship
Science scholarship
  • Lehman-Huber-Zehrbach Scholarship
    A full tuition scholarship is awarded to one nursing major with preference given to female nursing students from India. To qualify, students must live on campus all four years. Apply for admission to Bluffton by Jan. 1 to be eligible. Those selected must deposit by Feb. 15 to secure their award.
  • Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship 
    A $4,000 scholarship (valued at $16,000 for four years) is awarded to a top student in a science, technology or math field. Recipients must be Ohio residents.  
    More about the Knowlton Memorial Scholarship
  • Choose Ohio First Grant
    Up to four renewable, stackable grants of $2,475 are awarded to eligible first-year and transfer students. Eligible students are Ohio residents and a female or ethnic minority in STEM, or male in nursing. Apply for admission to Bluffton by Jan. 1 to be eligible. 
    More about Choose Ohio First Grant
  • Natural & Applied Sciences (NAS) Scholarship 
    Mathematics, mathematics with AYA licensure, nutrition and dietetics, enviromental science, biology, chemistry, pre-medicine, medical lab sciences, engineering, pre-physical therapy and physics majors with a minimum 26 ACT/1240 SAT may apply for $3,000 departmental scholarships which are renewable for four years. 
    More about the Natural & Applied Sciences Scholarship
  • Music Ensemble Grant
    A $1,000 award (valued at $4,000 for four years) is awarded to new Bluffton students based on an audition. 
    More about the Music Ensemble Grant
  • Art Major Scholarship
    A scholarship starting at $1,000 is awarded to new Bluffton students whose art portfolios are highly rated by Bluffton University art faculty. Portfolios must be submitted by Feb. 1, for consideration.
    More about the Art Major Scholarship

Additional opportunities

  • Mennonite Student Grant
    A $5,000 award (valued at $20,000 for four years) for new students who are members of any Mennonite church congregation.
  • Alumni Grant
    A $1,000 award is given to students whose parents, grandparents or siblings are part of Bluffton University's 15,300+ alumni.
  • Out-of-State Grant
    A $1,000 award (valued at $4,000 for four years) for new, out-of-state students to help off-set travel costs.
  • Bluffton Award
    The Bluffton Award is offered to select residential students who file the FAFSA but who do not qualify for need-based grants. The award amount varies and is automatically renewable for three additional years.
  • Church Matching Grant
    Matches grants from a Christian church to a student who is a member of their congregation. The program must comply with IRS regulations.  Church matching grant information >
  • Learn and Earn program
    Students may work in a campus job to help finance their college education by working eight hours each week. Learn and Earn >
Need-based support
  • Bluffton Opportunity Grant
    Awarded to students based on completion of the FAFSA form. This award can be added to the above awards. This grant is awarded based on need as determined by the FAFSA. Amounts vary.

Mennonite Student Grant 2019-20

 

Comm Enrichment Grant 2019-20

Top