Need-Based Scholarships

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's Gifted Tuition Scholarships support exceptionally talented music students with a passion for Latin music who have financial limitations. Applicants must be 17-25 years old and admitted to start or continue a four-year bachelor's degree in music at the accredited institution of their choice in the fall. Three Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $120,000 each are awarded, covering tuition and housing over four years of full-time study, plus wrap-around services from the foundation. Recipients must maintain strong academic standing each semester. Apply online with two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and a university acceptance letter; materials may be in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Applications open in December and closed April 10 for the 2026 cycle.

Partnership scholarship covering required direct costs for eligible Metro Nashville Public Schools graduates admitted to Vanderbilt through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or the QuestBridge National College Match. Recipients must qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or have parental adjusted gross income of one hundred thousand dollars or less and must apply for need-based aid via the CSS Profile and FAFSA. The award covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals for up to eight semesters plus a six-thousand-dollar summer stipend after the second or third year for internships.

The American University District Scholars Award supports high-achieving, low-income students from District of Columbia public and public charter high schools. Ten scholarships are awarded annually covering full tuition plus room and board at American University, with additional institutional aid available up to full demonstrated financial need. There is no separate scholarship application; eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for fall admission by January 15 and submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the same deadline. Scholars also receive mentoring, advising, and cohort programming through the District Scholars program.

Full-ride access scholarship for high-achieving, high-need students graduating from zoned Metro Nashville Public Schools who enroll at Belmont University. The award covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and academic supplies for four years and includes summer academy, mentoring, and academic support. Candidates work with their MNPS counselor to submit the Bell Tower supplemental essay, admission application, counselor recommendation, and FAFSA when eligible. Minimum weighted high school GPA is 3.0. Scholars maintain full-time enrollment, a 2.5 Belmont GPA, and 48 hours of community service each semester.

High-achieving U.S. high school seniors graduating in spring 2027 who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college, have a minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA, and demonstrate financial need (families with annual gross income up to $95,000 considered) may apply via the Common App. Scholarships provide up to $55,000 per year toward tuition, living expenses, books, fees, and required costs at the nation's top colleges and universities. Submit academic recommendations, counselor recommendation, school report, and transcripts through the Common Application. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the largest undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need.

Top community college students in the United States who are sophomores by January 1 or recent graduates since spring 2022, plan to transfer full-time to a four-year college, hold at least a 3.5 GPA, and demonstrate financial need may apply for the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship through the Common App. Awards provide up to $55,000 per year as last-dollar funding toward completing a bachelor's degree. The selection process is rigorous and considers academics, financial need, perseverance, leadership, and community commitment. Recipients also receive college advising, transition support, and access to internship and graduate scholarship opportunities through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

The Ross Tidemann Scholarship provides $50,000 over four years to one incoming Barton School business major with demonstrated financial need, selected through the Allen, Gibbs and Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition. Applicants must complete the FAFSA or include a financial-need statement in their AGH application, and work experience noted on the activities chart is considered. High school seniors declare a business major, meet AGH academic thresholds, and compete on campus in November. The award honors Wichita business leader Ross Tidemann and supports freshmen entering the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University.

Need-based access scholarship honoring Reverend E.S. Rose for incoming Belmont first-year students with academic achievement and community leadership. Belmont awards two full-tuition scholarships each year and, in alternating years, one additional half-tuition award. Priority goes to admitted students whose permanent residence is in Metro Council districts 17, 19, and parts of 18 near E.S. Rose Park; if none qualify, Metro Nashville Public School seniors in the free or reduced meal program may be considered. Apply for admission by December 1. Recipients maintain at least 12 credits and a 2.75 Belmont GPA and complete community service near Edgehill or Rose Park.

The Ford Scholars Program awards up to 120 renewable scholarships each year to promising students from Oregon (and Siskiyou County, California) who work hard, have significant financial need, and face barriers to higher education. The renewable award provides up to $40,000 per year, calculated from financial need and the cost of attendance at the student's college. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, recent graduates, or the equivalent who have never enrolled full time in college; plan to earn a bachelor's degree; enroll full time, on campus, in the fall at a federal-aid-eligible public or private nonprofit college in their home state; and have a completed financial aid application with a Student Aid Index of no more than 8,000. There is no minimum GPA. Applications open December 1 and close March 2.

The Harry Najim Scholarship awards $40,000 over four years to one incoming business major selected through the Allen, Gibbs and Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition at Wichita State. The award considers financial need through the FAFSA or a need statement, and community engagement demonstrated on the AGH activities chart. High school seniors must declare a business major, submit admission and competition materials by November deadlines, and meet minimum GPA or test-score requirements. The on-campus AGH competition requires in-person attendance. Najim Scholars enter the Barton School as freshmen with strong academic records and community involvement.