Northeast Colleges with Scholarships for a 3.5 GPA
A 3.5 GPA is a strong academic profile — but in the Northeast, it does not always translate into predictable scholarships the way it does in other regions. This is one of the most holistic parts of the country, where outcomes often depend less on a simple GPA threshold and more on where your student applies, how the school uses aid, and whether the college is trying to recruit students like them.
Northeast strategy tip: In this region, success is less about hitting a number and more about choosing the right schools. Merit aid exists, but it is often limited, competitive, or used strategically rather than handed out through big automatic grids.
That is why Northeast results can feel confusing to families. A student with a 3.5 GPA may be only middle-of-the-pack at a well-known flagship, but a much stronger recruit at a private college trying to shape its class and manage enrollment. In this region, the biggest mistake is assuming every school will reward the same profile in the same way.
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What this means: In the Northeast, a 3.5 GPA can still lead to strong financial outcomes — but usually through targeted applications, merit-friendly private colleges, state aid, regional tuition programs, or smart in-state public options rather than broad automatic merit.
Important context: This page focuses on colleges in the Northeast where a 3.5 GPA may put your student in range for scholarship opportunities. Many awards in this region are competitive or limited, some schools prioritize need-based aid over merit, and others may use state or regional tuition programs that function more like a discount than a traditional scholarship.
Why a 3.5 GPA Matters in the Northeast
In the Northeast, a 3.5 GPA often places a student in a competitive middle tier. At some colleges, that may be strong enough for meaningful merit consideration. At others, it may simply make the student a solid applicant in a much deeper pool.
That is what makes this region different. The same GPA that triggers automatic scholarship charts in other parts of the country may lead to very different outcomes here depending on whether the school is public or private, merit-friendly or need-focused, test-optional or test-sensitive, and trying to recruit your student’s profile or simply evaluate them holistically.
CRP Insight: In the Northeast, a 3.5 GPA is less about guaranteed outcomes and more about positioning your student at the right schools.
That is why this region rewards strategy more than volume. A family that applies thoughtfully can do much better than a family that simply assumes “strong GPA = strong merit.”
What Changes at a 3.5 GPA
At this GPA range, families move into a zone where real opportunities exist — but the path is less predictable than it is in regions with more published merit grids. In the Northeast, the win often comes from understanding which type of school is most likely to reward the profile your student brings.
- Merit aid becomes possible — but not predictable. A 3.5 GPA may trigger real awards at some colleges and very little at others.
- Private colleges may become stronger scholarship targets. Many mid-sized private schools use merit strategically to compete for good students.
- Test-optional flexibility can help. In this region, many colleges will let a 3.5 GPA stand on its own if test scores do not help the application.
- State aid and tuition programs matter more. For some families, the biggest savings may come from state-funded aid or regional discounts rather than institutional merit.
- Application quality starts to matter more. Essays, rigor, activities, and fit can influence outcomes in a region where many colleges review applications more holistically.
Reality check: A 3.5 GPA alone rarely drives large automatic scholarships in the Northeast. Families should expect a more selective and school-specific process.
CRP Pro Tip: Many elite Northeast schools do not offer merit aid at all. They rely almost entirely on need-based financial aid, which means the right “financial fit” school may not be the same thing as the most selective school on your student’s list.
Merit Leverage in the Northeast
In the Northeast, merit leverage comes from targeting the right schools — not assuming every college will reward the same GPA in the same way. Families often do best here when they compare private-college merit, in-state public value, state-funded aid, and regional tuition programs side by side instead of chasing one kind of scholarship.
CRP Insight: In this region, the biggest mistake families make is assuming merit works the same everywhere. It does not — and that is where strategy makes the difference.
A 3.5 GPA student may be only average for a better-known flagship, but a very attractive applicant for a private college trying to boost enrollment or shape its incoming class. That is one of the biggest Northeast unlocks: sometimes the lower net price comes from a private college offering substantial merit, not a public university with a famous name.
- Target merit-friendly private colleges. This is often where a 3.5 GPA stretches the furthest in the Northeast.
- Compare need-based and merit outcomes. Some families will win more through aid formulas than scholarship charts.
- Use test-optional policies strategically. If test scores are not helping, this region often gives families more flexibility.
- Apply early when possible. At some colleges, earlier applicants may get stronger scholarship consideration.
- Look at state programs before assuming merit is the answer. For qualifying families, state-funded aid can sometimes matter more than institutional scholarships.
- Compare public vs private net price, not sticker price. In the Northeast, the “cheaper-looking” option on paper is not always the cheaper one after aid.
The New England Tuition Break: If your student lives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, they may qualify for reduced tuition at certain out-of-state public colleges through a regional program if they choose an approved major not offered by their home-state public options.
CRP Pro Tip: In the Northeast, state aid is often more powerful than merit aid. For some families, programs tied to income, residency, enrollment status, or public college attendance may reduce tuition more than a modest merit scholarship ever would.
Student Scenarios: What This Looks Like in Real Life
A 3.5 GPA can lead to very different outcomes in the Northeast depending on whether the student is aiming at private colleges, state universities, income-based aid, or test-optional schools that let the GPA carry more of the weight.
The Private College Play
3.5 GPA + merit-friendly private colleges: This student may look only average at a flagship but become a stronger scholarship target at private colleges using merit to compete for applicants.
The State School Strategist
3.5 GPA + in-state public option: For this family, the best result may come from lower baseline tuition plus state aid rather than a bigger merit award somewhere else.
The Test-Optional Advantage
3.5 GPA + weaker test scores: In the Northeast, this student may benefit from colleges that allow the GPA, course rigor, and overall application to stand on their own.
The Missed Strategy
3.5 GPA + prestige-only list: This family may end up paying more than necessary by focusing only on selective schools that offer little or no merit aid.
Scholarship Matches
Based on a 3.5 GPA | Northeast Region
Showing Merit Scholarship Opportunities
These are colleges in the Northeast where a 3.5 GPA may put your student in range for scholarship opportunities. Some schools below may offer merit aid, while others may make more sense because of state aid, regional tuition breaks, or better overall value.
Regional strategy note: In the Northeast, families should not evaluate scholarship offers in isolation. Merit, state aid, tuition breaks, and private-college discounts can all change the final math.
Important: Some colleges in this region offer little or no merit aid, even for strong students. Always click through to the college page and verify whether the real opportunity is merit, need-based aid, state aid, or a regional tuition program.
Scholarship Matches
Based on a GPA 3.5 | Northeast profile. Institutions with actionable merit aid identified.
Colleges Listed
51
Total institutions with matching merit programs.
Showing all Scholarship results. These are colleges where your GPA puts you in range for real scholarship opportunities — including automatic, competitive, and honors-based awards For more information on each college, click to view the full scholarship breakdown.
Important: Some scholarships listed as “automatic” may still depend on application timing, funding limits, or test scores for the highest award levels. Use the details on each college to understand how predictable the offer really is.
🏛️ Delaware State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ DE
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Full Tuition Scholarship (Out-of-State)
GPA: 3.50 | ACT: 23 | SAT: 1130 | Ends: Rolling — enroll the fall right after high school graduation; awarded first-come, first-served while funds remain.
Strategic Note: Out-of-state U.S. citizen freshmen with at least a 3.5 GPA and a 23 ACT or 1130 SAT who get their file complete early and enroll the fall after high school — these students often miss the Presidential cutoff but still hit DSU's strongest automatic out-of-state tier.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Saint Joseph's University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jesuit Preparatory Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Follows general first-year admission timelines.
Strategic Note: First-year students coming straight from a Jesuit high school with at least a 3.00 unweighted GPA on a 4.00 scale.
🏛️ Monmouth University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Monmouth Incentive Grant
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: March 1 (Regular Decision and scholarship priority date)
Strategic Note: This is the entry tier of Monmouth's automatic merit ladder. It goes to admitted students whose academic record shows real promise but falls short of the higher Grant and Excellence thresholds. The renewal bar is also the most forgiving — a 2.0 cumulative GPA — which makes it a steady, dependable piece of the package.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ MontClair State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Presidential Scholarship
GPA: 3.40 | Ends: Rolling (admission)
Strategic Note: High-achieving first-time freshmen with strong unweighted GPAs (3.4+), solid class rank, and a competitive application overall. It's selective — Montclair calls it 'highly competitive,' so think of it as a true merit award, not a participation prize.
🏛️ Coppin State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ MD
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship
GPA: 3.30 | ACT: 23 | SAT: 1140 | Ends: December 1
Strategic Note: High-achieving Coppin admits with a weighted 3.3+ cumulative high school GPA who also clear the 1140 SAT or 23 ACT bar (or present a strong test-optional file). Awards are limited and offered by invitation only, so applying well before December 1 matters.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ MA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Dean’s Scholarship
GPA: 3.40 | ACT: 22 | SAT: 1100 | Ends: Rolling — follows the general freshman admission deadline.
Strategic Note: Above-average admits in the 3.4–3.7 GPA range or 1100–1190 SAT / 22–24 ACT — either threshold qualifies, so this catches the broad middle of UMassD's admitted class. Award sits between the Admissions Award and the Chancellor's tier.
🏛️ Quinnipiac University
$32,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ CT
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Student Academic Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Rolling; recommended application by April 1 for full scholarship consideration
Strategic Note: Quinnipiac's transfer floor of 2.5 cumulative GPA is genuinely generous, which is why this award has the highest minimum of any of their automatics. Students transferring with a B average tend to land at the lower end of the range, while transfers with strong A-minus or better records — especially those bringing an associate's degree from a Connecticut community college — typically land near the $32,000 ceiling.
🏛️ Rider University
$28,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Rider Merit Scholarships (First-Year)
GPA: 2.70 | Ends: Rolling; Jan 15 priority for full scholarship consideration; Nov 15 for Musical Theatre and Acting applicants
Strategic Note: Nearly every admitted first-year student receives a merit award. Higher GPAs and stronger course rigor land closer to the $28,000 ceiling, while solid-but-mid-range applicants typically receive awards in the lower part of the range.
🏛️ Siena College
$27,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Presidential Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | ACT: 25 | SAT: 1160 | Ends: Rolling
Strategic Note: Students bringing a strong academic story to the table — roughly a 90+ high school average (about a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale), honors and AP coursework on the transcript, and real community involvement. Testing is optional at Siena, but if your scores are sitting at 1160+ SAT or 25+ ACT (superscored), submit them — that profile lines up with typical Presidential recipients.
🏛️ Saint Peter's University
$27,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Dean's Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Rolling — apply early for full consideration
Strategic Note: Strong students sitting in the A-/A range — roughly a 3.5 to 3.99 unweighted GPA — who hit submit on their application and don't fall into the 4.0 Academic Excellence bracket.
+ 8 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Robert Morris University
$26,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ PA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ RMU Freshman Merit Scholarship — Tier 2
GPA: 3.40 | Ends: Rolling — awarded at time of admission
Strategic Note: Strong academic freshmen with a weighted GPA between 3.40 and 3.79.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Niagara University
$24,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Merit Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Rolling
Strategic Note: Community college transfer students who are active PTK members, walk in with at least a 3.00 GPA, and submit membership documentation. This is one of Niagara's most generous transfer awards and beats the top standard transfer tier.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Providence College
$23,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ RI
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ St. Rose of Lima Transfer Tuition Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Transfer priority: Apr 1; final: Jun 1 for fall entry
Strategic Note: Admitted transfer students entering in the fall with a college GPA of 3.5 or higher and a strong academic record from their prior institution.
🏛️ Saint Francis University
$22,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ PA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Bell Tower Scholarship
GPA: 3.45 | Ends: Rolling with admission — no separate scholarship deadline.
Strategic Note: Incoming freshmen whose weighted GPA lands at or above 3.45 on SFU's 5.0 scale. SFU uses a straightforward grid — you don't compete for this, you earn it by meeting the cutoff, so calculate honestly and apply early.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Maine
$20,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ ME
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ International Presidential Scholarship
GPA: 3.20 | Ends: March 31 (priority)
Strategic Note: Top non-US international applicants (except Canadians), strong academic records
+ 7 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Seton Hall University
$18,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: Rolling — Seton Hall reviews transfers on an ongoing basis for both fall and spring entry.
Strategic Note: Incoming transfers with a competitive academic record from their prior institution — the higher your transfer GPA and the stronger your coursework, the larger your award within the published $5,000–$18,000 band.
🏛️ University of Rhode Island
$17,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ RI
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ University & Presidential Merit
GPA: 3.20 | Ends: Dec 1 priority; applications after this date are still reviewed as merit funds remain available.
Strategic Note: Students landing in the $8K–$17K tier tend to bring a 3.6+ GPA with a genuinely rigorous transcript (honors, AP, dual-enrollment), plus leadership or service that shows up in recommendations. The floor of $2K goes to solid 3.2 GPA admits without the same rigor stack. Test scores don't factor in — URI reviews merit test-optional.
🏛️ University of UMass Boston
$17,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ UMass Boston Freshman Merit Scholarship
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: November 1 (early action); February 15 (regular)
Strategic Note: First-year students with a recalculated 3.3+ GPA. The actual dollar amount is tiered by where you live: Massachusetts residents land in one range, Northeast Regional (NEBHE) students another, and out-of-state students the highest tier — final amount is set by holistic review of rigor, GPA, scores, and service.
🏛️ Rowan University
$12,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Rowan University Scholars Program
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: Apply for admission by January 31 for full scholarship consideration
Strategic Note: Strong in-state first-years with a rigorous course load and a solid GPA (3.3+ unweighted is a useful benchmark, though Rowan doesn't publish a hard cutoff). Test-optional applicants are reviewed the same way; awards stretch into low five figures for the top tier.
🏛️ University of New Hampshire
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NH
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Distinction Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Semester admission deadlines
Strategic Note: Transfer applicants entering a UNH bachelor's program with a cumulative college GPA between 3.50 and 3.79.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Delaware
$7,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ DE
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Blue Hen / Delaware Scholar Award
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: Jan 15 (priority)
Strategic Note: Mid 50% of strong admits (esp. Delaware residents)
🏛️ Central Connecticut State University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ CT
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Central Merit Scholarship - Tier 2
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: Rolling (with admission)
Strategic Note: Incoming first-year students with a solid academic record — generally a high school GPA between 3.30 and 3.79. No essay, no test scores, no separate application: admissions pulls the GPA right off the transcript.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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Strategic Note: Based on your stats, you also strongly qualify to compete for the Competitive & Hidden Gem awards below. These require holistic review or a separate application.
🏛️ Canisius University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Hassett Creative Writing Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: January 19, 2026 (Hassett Family Creative Writing Scholarship application deadline).
Strategic Note: A very small number of incoming students who declare Creative Writing, submit outstanding creative work, and meet the academic and application requirements.
🏛️ Marist College
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Otto Sussman Trust Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: As needed
Strategic Note: Final-year undergraduates from NY, NJ, PA, or OK with at least a 3.0 GPA who face documented, unusual financial hardship that threatens their ability to graduate.
🏛️ Niagara University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Community Advisor (CA) Position
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Typically during the spring semester for positions in the following academic year.
Strategic Note: Sophomore and upperclass students with at least a 2.5 QPA, prior residence hall experience, and strong leadership and conduct records who perform well in the CA selection process.
🏛️ Howard University
FULL RIDEGPA 3.5+ DC
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Karsh STEM Scholars Program
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: KSSP application opens November 1 and closes January 31 at 11:59pm EST. Apply Howard Early Action if you can — EA applicants who meet KSSP criteria are proactively invited, which is a real strategic edge.
Strategic Note: High-achieving STEM students with strong academic records (3.30+ unweighted GPA minimum, with B or better in STEM coursework), documented community service, and a genuine commitment to a research-oriented PhD or MD/PhD path. The program is highly selective — hundreds apply each year for a cohort of roughly 30. Not every strong STEM applicant gets in; fit with the research-and-graduate-pipeline mission matters as much as the numbers.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Georgetown University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ DC
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Maguire Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Feb 1 (Georgetown financial aid priority deadline); separate Maguire Foundation college scholars application submitted in spring
Strategic Note: A small cohort of graduates from Philadelphia-area high schools (or from Maguire Foundation partner high schools) who show real financial need alongside solid academics, service, and leadership. Selection is joint — you need both a strong Georgetown application AND a competitive Maguire Foundation application, so treat these as two connected efforts.
🏛️ Long Island University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Performing / Fine Arts Awards
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Program-specific audition and portfolio timelines.
Strategic Note: Full-time students with strong demonstrated artistic talent through auditions or portfolios.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ La Salle University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Annenberg-Henrich Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | SAT: 1220 | Ends: Annual La Salle scholarship application cycle — confirm the current deadline with the Office of Financial Aid
Strategic Note: La Salle students pursuing a middle school or secondary education degree with a math or science concentration who plan to teach after graduation. For incoming freshmen, that means a 1220+ SAT (verbal + math) OR a top 20 percent class rank. For current La Salle students and transfers, a 3.0 cumulative La Salle GPA is the bar.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Seton Hall University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: National high school boards typically Oct–Jan; campus‑based awards are rolling after enrollment.
Strategic Note: Students with solid academics, leadership, and fitness who are selected by Army ROTC national or campus boards and commit to commissioning as Army officers, including many nursing majors at Seton Hall.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Providence College
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ RI
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC — Campus-Based Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Rolling after matriculation and enrollment in Army ROTC
Strategic Note: Enrolled Providence College cadets who excel academically, physically, and in leadership within the ROTC program.
🏛️ University of Maryland Eastern Shore
FULL RIDEGPA 3.5+ MD
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1080 | Ends: Early March (cycle deadline announced annually by USDA)
Strategic Note: High-achieving U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA, a 21+ ACT or 1080+ SAT, and a clear plan to work for USDA in agriculture, food, natural resources, or related STEM fields. The competition is national and limited, and selected scholars commit to one year of USDA service for each year of funded support.
+ 6 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Loyola University Maryland
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ MD
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Maguire Scholars Program Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: April 15.
Strategic Note: Students graduating from one of the Maguire Foundation's approved Philadelphia-area high schools who carry at least a 3.0 GPA, can document financial need on the FAFSA, and are active in community service or extracurriculars. The Foundation values consistent service and leadership alongside academics.
🏛️ American University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ DC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Carl G. Anthon Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Varies by year; typically spring for the following academic year.
Strategic Note: Strong College of Arts and Sciences students with at least a 3.5 GPA and substantial credits completed in their major fields.
🏛️ Lafayette College
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Paid Research / Internship Funding (EXCEL + Intern Scholar Programs)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Varies by specific EXCEL or internship funding cycle
Strategic Note: Students selected to conduct faculty-mentored research or funded internships who want to offset summer or term-time living and opportunity costs.
🏛️ Binghamton University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ ROTC Scholarships (Army/Air Force)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Oct–Mar (national ROTC deadlines)
Strategic Note: Students enrolled in Army or Air Force ROTC who pass national selection, maintain GPA and physical standards, and agree to post-graduation service
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Lehigh University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Snyder Family Marching Scholarships
GPA: 2.80 | Ends: Program-specific, typically aligned with music department and Marching 97 timelines.
Strategic Note: Incoming and continuing student instrumental musicians who commit to multiple years with The Marching 97 and maintain required GPA and participation.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Towson University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ MD
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Biology Department Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Departmental (varies; usually late winter or early spring)
Strategic Note: Upper-level Biology majors with at least 12 Biology credits at Towson and GPAs of 3.0 or higher, often with strong faculty support.
🏛️ Saint Joseph's University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jesuit/Catholic Partner High School & Foundation Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: With admission application; awards typically made with admission decision.
Strategic Note: Students from partner Jesuit, Cristo Rey Network, and other designated Catholic or foundation-supported schools who meet published criteria such as minimum GPA.
🏛️ Drexel University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ The Drexel Promise
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Follows Drexel's transfer admission cycle; applications for each entry term are reviewed on a rolling basis and deadlines vary by term.
Strategic Note: Transfer students nationwide who finish an associate degree at an accredited U.S. community college, land admission to a full-time on-campus bachelor's program at Drexel, and hold at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. This isn't a competitive scholarship — meet the eligibility criteria and it's yours.
🏛️ Manhattan College
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NY
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Resident Assistant (RA) Grant
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Spring semester prior to the academic year of RA service — exact dates are set annually by Residence Life.
Strategic Note: Upper-division students selected as Resident Assistants — strong GPAs, prior residential experience, and clear evidence of leadership, reliability, and community-building on campus.
🏛️ Saint Francis University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ PA
●Elite Selection
Top 1–2% / Interview / Highly Restrictive
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How This Is Awarded
→ SEED Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | SAT: 1100 | Ends: Rolling — SFU notifies qualifying students during admission review.
Strategic Note: Incoming freshmen who hit the 3.0 GPA + 1100 SAT (Math + Critical Reading) threshold and receive a direct invitation from SFU. It's most impactful for students whose SAT strength outpaces their GPA-driven merit tier — SEED can lift them above what the standard grid would deliver.
🏛️ Monmouth University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ SOAR Grant
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: March 1 (FAFSA and admission priority for packaging)
Strategic Note: Full-time undergraduates selected by the Director of Undergraduate Admission who show a combination of academic promise and financial need, including some science and education majors whose awards may be prorated during off-campus terms.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Fairleigh Dickinson University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Peter & Sylvia Sammartino Scholarship (QUEST Education majors)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 23
Strategic Note: Incoming freshmen entering FDU's QUEST 5-year BS/MAT program who can show both real academic readiness (3.0+ college-prep GPA) and a clear, articulated commitment to teaching. Leadership and education-related experience help.
🏛️ Rider University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Elite Selection
Top 1–2% / Interview / Highly Restrictive
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Trustee Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Feb 1 (annual deadline for Fall start; the current cycle's deadline has passed and the next cycle opens for the following Fall)
Strategic Note: Three community college graduates each year who are active PTK members with at least a 3.5 GPA, real leadership and service track records, and strong essays, videos, and Interview Day performances.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ UMass Lowell
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.5+ MA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Resident Advisor (RA) Benefits
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Feb–Mar before academic year
Strategic Note: Returning undergraduate RAs selected for leadership/people skills and campus involvement.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Hofstra University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Amsterdam Exchange Scholarships
GPA: 3.40 | Ends: Late February (for full-year or semester scholarship in the following academic year)
Strategic Note: High-achieving juniors and seniors accepted to the Amsterdam exchange, with at least a 3.4 GPA; three of six awards typically go to Zarb School of Business majors.
🏛️ Coppin State University
FULL RIDEGPA 3.5+ MD
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Presidential Scholarship
GPA: 3.50 | ACT: 25 | SAT: 1200 | Ends: December 1
Strategic Note: Students at the very top of the admitted pool — typically weighted GPAs at or near 4.0, SATs in the 1200+ range or ACTs at 25+ (when submitted), and a serious track record of leadership and service. Awards are limited, by invitation only, and highly competitive.
🏛️ University of Hartford
$25,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ CT
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Hartford Promise + Greater Futures Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 1 (recommended FAFSA and program completion date)
Strategic Note: Hartford residents graduating from Hartford Public Schools who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, 93%+ attendance, and full-time enrollment at UHart while meeting program and FAFSA requirements.
+ 6 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Maryland Baltimore County
$22,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MD
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Meyerhoff Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 24 | SAT: 600 | Ends: January 15 (priority)
Strategic Note: High-achieving, research-focused STEM students planning to pursue graduate study, typically with strong GPAs, rigorous coursework, and demonstrated commitment to the advancement of minorities in the sciences.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ New York University
$20,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: CCTOP transfer application deadlines as specified by NYU.
Strategic Note: Community college students from NYU partner schools with at least a 3.0 GPA, sufficient transferable credits, nomination, and a strong transfer application.
🏛️ Delaware State University
$20,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ DE
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Verizon STEM/eSports Women’s Scholarships
GPA: 3.50 | Ends: Varies by Verizon and DSU program cycle — watch DSU announcements for current dates.
Strategic Note: Upper-level women in STEM at DSU with strong GPAs and a genuine track record in eSports, gaming clubs, or related leadership — not weekend players, but students who have built or led something visible on campus.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Saint Peter's University
$15,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ INVEST Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Program application deadlines apply (previously April 1)
Strategic Note: Upper-division STEM majors with at least a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.3 major GPA who commit to teaching in high-need school districts after graduation.
🏛️ Worcester Polytechnic Institute
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MA
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Dearborn Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Stage 1 (online app + Mechanical Aptitude Test): February 1. Stage 2 (transcript, faculty letter, career assessment): March 15.
Strategic Note: Students with high mechanical aptitude (as proven on the MAT) and strong physics or engineering academic records who can be described as inventors, innovators, or designers with a vision for the future.
🏛️ MontClair State University
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Talent Scholarships (Arts)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: January–March (varies by department)
Strategic Note: Strong auditions or portfolio submissions in arts degree programs.
🏛️ Syracuse University
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Our Time Has Come Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: May 23
Strategic Note: Full-time students of color (U.S. citizen/perm. resident) with service and academic merit.
🏛️ Stonehill College
$7,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ MA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Brockton Scholarship
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: Transfer application deadlines for Massasoit–Stonehill Transfer Guarantee; typically by published transfer term deadlines
Strategic Note: Massasoit Community College transfer students who are residents of Brockton or graduates of Brockton High School, New Heights Charter School, or Southeastern Regional High School and who meet Massasoit–Stonehill Transfer Guarantee criteria.
🏛️ Rowan University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ NJ
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Rowan University Foundation Scholarships
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: Varies by scholarship; most close in February or March
Strategic Note: Students who actually log in to Scholarship Universe, answer every matching question, and apply to multiple donor awards — not just one. Many are decided on the matching answers alone; the rest reward students who take the essay seriously and submit early.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Morgan State University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MD
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ School of Architecture & Planning Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Department-set deadlines; some awards list specific term-based timelines.
Strategic Note: Upper-division Architecture, Planning, or built-environment majors who show academic achievement and financial need and complete required departmental application steps.
🏛️ University of Pittsburgh
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ TRIO McNair Scholars
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: Winter–early spring
Strategic Note: First-gen, low-income, URM, research-focused with plan/mentor
🏛️ University of UMass Boston
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ College & Department Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: November 1 (most)
Strategic Note: Active, academically strong students in their program
🏛️ Temple University
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ PA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Diamond Research Scholars
GPA: 3.25 | Ends: Feb 1 (for summer programs)
Strategic Note: Research-active undergrads with faculty-mentored summer project.
🏛️ Fairfield University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ CT
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Global Fairfield Study Abroad Scholarships
GPA: 2.80 | Ends: April 1 (summer/fall programs); October 1 (winter/spring programs)
Strategic Note: Fairfield undergraduates with at least a 2.8 GPA who are approved for Global Fairfield programs and demonstrate financial need and/or strong academic purpose for studying abroad.
🏛️ SUNY Maritime College
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.5+ NY
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Scholarship
GPA: 3.30 | Ends: April 15
Strategic Note: Upper-class Maritime students from PA, NJ, or DE who have maintained at least a 3.3 GPA. An active connection to the regional maritime industry helps.
🏛️ University of Delaware
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ DE
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Study Abroad / Zipser / Global Grants
GPA: 2.80 | Ends: Semester before experience
Strategic Note: Students in approved programs with strong interest and financial need
🏛️ University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.5+ MA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Oct 15 (fall); Mar 1 (spring)
Strategic Note: Top transfer students active in PTK honor society
