🎓 Temple University Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
- Honors and specialty awards (e.g., President’s Scholar, Lambert Foundation)
- How to stack Temple aid with Pennsylvania state grants
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~80.5% (Fall 2024)
- Average HS GPA: 3.42
- Average SAT (submitted): 1276
- Average ACT (submitted): 28
Source: Temple University “At a Glance” (2024–2025)
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Temple at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
Temple University blends access and affordability in a major urban setting. Most applicants are automatically considered for merit aid, and top students can compete for high-value awards like the President’s Scholar Award and the Lambert Foundation Scholarship.
Pennsylvania residents can often stack Temple merit with state grants. For nonresidents, strong academics and leadership can unlock competitive scholarships that help narrow the tuition gap.
FAQ
Does Temple offer automatic scholarships? Yes. Applicants are automatically reviewed for Temple Academic Scholarships; award amounts vary by GPA and strength of curriculum.
Are there full-tuition awards? Yes. The President’s Scholar Award covers full tuition for select top students, while the Lambert Foundation Scholarship funds full in-state tuition for a limited number of recipients.
Is Temple test-optional? Temple has maintained a test-optional policy in recent years, though official confirmation for 2025–26 has not yet been published.
What’s the average net price? Approximately $29,641 per year after grants and scholarships (excluding loans).
💰 Cost of Attendance at Temple University (2025–2026)
Temple is a public research university in Philadelphia known for offering strong value, especially for Pennsylvania residents. Out-of-state students pay a higher sticker price, but many qualify for automatic or competitive merit awards that reduce the cost.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $20,624 | $36,248 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus median) | $17,100 | $17,100 |
| Estimated Total (table items only) | $37,724 | $53,348 |
Note: Figures include tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals only. Books, transportation, and personal expenses typically add another $3,000–$3,500 per year and are included in Temple’s full financial aid budget. Housing & meals use a $17,100 median based on 2025–26 residence hall and dining plan options. Optional health insurance is not shown.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Temple University offers several levels of automatic admission-based merit awards for new freshmen. GPA is the main factor, and optional test scores are considered only if submitted. Temple does not superscore; only the highest score from a single test date is used for scholarship review.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean’s Scholarship | $2,000–$5,000/year | GPA typically ≥3.4; college-prep curriculum | No | Yes — GPA ≥3.0, full-time | Students with GPA in mid-3s, good rigor, early application | Feb 1 (priority) |
| President’s Scholarship | $5,000–$10,000/year | GPA usually 3.6+; top 10–15% of HS class; leadership or advanced courses | No | Yes — GPA ≥3.0, full-time | Students in top 10–15%, strong extracurriculars, early submission | Feb 1 (priority) |
| Provost’s Scholarship | Half to Full Tuition | GPA 3.8+; AP/IB/dual courses; test scores optional | No | Yes — GPA ≥3.0, full-time | Top students; exceptional academics and rigor; best for early applicants | Feb 1 (priority) |
| General Merit Scholarship | $1,000–Full Tuition | All admitted freshmen, automatic review | No | Yes — GPA ≥3.0, full-time | Ranges by GPA/curriculum; many get $1,000–2,000; top get named awards | Feb 1 (priority) |
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on public data and recent award history. Temple adjusts exact awards every year depending on budget and applicant pool; confirm your offer with your official acceptance.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply? No. All admitted freshmen are reviewed automatically.
Does Temple superscore SAT or ACT? No. Only the highest composite score from a single date is used for merit review.
Can these stack with other aid? Yes. Automatic merit stacks with departmental awards, need grants, and outside scholarships, but cannot exceed cost of attendance.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Temple University does not publish any university-wide, freshman-only competitive (application/contest) scholarships. Instead, freshmen are considered automatically for all merit aid at admission. After they enroll, students can access hundreds of selective donor, college, and departmental awards—these may require essays, recommendations, or portfolios and are accessed through Scholarship Universe. These internal awards are categorized as Hidden Gems.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No freshman-only university competitive scholarships | — | — | — | — | Use Scholarship Universe for post-admission donor/departmental selection | Varies—see Scholarship Universe |
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Does Temple have a flagship full-ride contest? No. There is no freshman-exclusive application or flagship full-ride competition.
Where do I look for scholarships requiring essays or portfolios? In Scholarship Universe and individual colleges (like Tyler, Fox, Klein) after admission. These are listed as Hidden Gems in our guide.
Can outside awards stack? Yes. Major outside competitive scholarships (such as Stamps or national contests) can stack with Temple merit and need-based aid up to the cost of attendance.
🎖️ Honors College
Temple’s Honors College creates a smaller, high-engagement academic and social community inside the university. The program features seminar courses, faculty mentorship, support for fellowships, Honors dorms, and priority registration. Admission relies on GPA (often 3.6+), strong essays, and records of service or leadership—not just perfect grades.
| Program | Award / Benefit | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lambert Foundation Scholarship | Full tuition (up to 18 credits/term, PA resident only) | PA residents admitted to Temple Honors College | No—automatic with Honors selection | Yes—must retain Honors standing/full-time | Top PA-resident Honors admits | March 1 (priority/notification in Honors packet) |
| Temple Honors College Admission | Seminars, advising, housing, registration, research | New/continuing students (GPA 3.6+, essays, recs) | Yes—separate Honors app | Yes—maintain standing & coursework | Curious, academically strong, engaged writers/leaders | Feb 1 (freshmen); rolling/semester for continuing |
| Honors College Scholarships | $1,000–$4,000/yr | Active Honors students; often need-based or for service/academics | Yes—via Scholarship Universe or Honors app | Varies by award | Honors scholars active in campus service, research, or leadership | Spring/fall cycles (vary by fund) |
| Departmental Honors Programs | Transcript notation, $500–$1,500 stipends (select majors) | Upper division, GPA 3.3–3.5+, major thesis/capstone | Yes—apply through department | Annual or one-time | Majors completing advanced work/research with faculty | By dept cycle (spring/fall) |
Honors FAQ
Is admission to Temple Honors automatic? No—requires essays and sometimes recommendations; holistic selection.
Does Honors delay graduation? No—seminars and thesis can be integrated into a normal timeline.
Are extra scholarships offered? Yes—Honors and departments offer additional scholarships, awarded by application or nomination.
When should students apply? Most competitive for freshmen applying by regular deadlines; current students can apply after their first semester.
⭐ College Specialty
Temple University is a nationally recognized R1 Research University, which means your student will have access to top-tier labs, faculty, and research opportunities right in the heart of Philadelphia. What makes Temple stand out isn’t just its size—it’s the blend of practical, career-driven programs and nationally ranked academic strengths that prepare students for jobs and graduate schools across the country.
Program Spotlight: Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture is consistently ranked among the top art schools in the U.S., with nationally known programs in Fine Arts, Architecture, and Graphic & Interactive Design. Students here don’t just learn—they exhibit, publish, and showcase work across Philadelphia and beyond.
Other areas where Temple stands out nationally and statewide:
- Fox School of Business: Ranked among the top 15 in the U.S. for Risk Management & Insurance and Supply Chain Management (U.S. News, 2024).
- Klein College of Media & Communication: Nationally known for Journalism, Advertising, and Strategic Communication, with programs ranked in the top tier regionally.
- Health Professions: Temple’s Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Podiatric Medicine programs are the only ones of their kind in Pennsylvania.
- Beasley School of Law: Ranked #54 nationally (U.S. News, 2024), known for trial advocacy and international law.
- Music & Dance (Boyer College): Recognized nationally for jazz studies, orchestral performance, and music education.
- Public Health: One of the largest and most respected public health programs in the region, driving research and community health policy statewide.