Scholarships at Vanderbilt University

Selective engineering scholarship program for meritorious Vanderbilt School of Engineering undergraduates with demonstrated financial need, emphasizing engineering excellence, business acumen, and service learning. About ten entering students join a cohort each year, beginning with a required four-week FEST summer bridge program before the first fall semester. Scholars receive fifteen thousand dollars per year plus support for summer immersive experiences, cohort programming, and career development through four years. Participants must remain active in Clark Scholars programming throughout their undergraduate engineering career.

First-year applicants to Vanderbilt University who combine strong academics with leadership and meaningful extracurricular involvement may apply for the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship through MyAppVU. Recipients receive full tuition plus a one-time summer stipend for an immersive experience after sophomore or junior year. The award renews for up to eight semesters with a 3.0 GPA, and Vanderbilt may add need-based aid when demonstrated need exceeds full tuition. Apply via MyAppVU after submitting your admission application. The scholarship honors Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, whose 1873 gift founded the university to strengthen ties across the country.

Additional merit scholarship for incoming first-year Vanderbilt students who held part-time employment during high school and demonstrate financial need. Candidates are identified through the merit scholarship review process; students should submit the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application and answer Carell-specific questions by December 1 to ensure consideration. The award covers full tuition and required fees and renews for four years of undergraduate study when satisfactory academic progress is maintained. Need-based eligibility is verified through the student's financial aid application.

Merit and service scholarship for Blair School of Music students committed to civic-minded service, fostering appreciation of the arts, cultivating new audiences, and strengthening public arts education. Eligible applicants must also demonstrate financial need and are identified through the Vanderbilt merit scholarship review; completing the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application by December 1 is encouraged. Recipients receive support covering full cost of attendance plus a summer study stipend. The award renews for four years when recipients maintain satisfactory academic progress and program participation.

Designated merit scholarships for qualified incoming first-year Vanderbilt applicants residing in Houston, Texas, and selected counties in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Candidates are identified by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships based on academic achievement and fulfillment of each scholarship's geographic and eligibility criteria. Students must apply for Vanderbilt admission and complete the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application by December 1 to ensure consideration alongside other merit awards. Award amounts vary by fund. Scholarships renew with satisfactory academic progress.