Bucknell University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- How Bucknell handles merit scholarships (and what’s competitive)
- Hidden and department-level scholarships worth checking
- How to stack aid at a private university like Bucknell
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~32%
- Middle 50% ACT: 25–32
- Middle 50% SAT: 1270–1370
- Average GPA (HS): 3.65
Source: Bucknell University Common Data Set. Middle 50% = where half of enrolled students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Bucknell at a Glance
https://www.bucknell.edu/sites/default/files/institutional-research/common_data_set_2023_2024.pdf
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?211291-Bucknell-University
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid
💰 Cost of Attendance at Bucknell University (2025–2026)
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus at Bucknell. Because Bucknell is a private university, in-state and out-of-state costs are the same. Indirect expenses (books, travel, and personal costs) still matter for budgeting and financial aid — but they’re not billed by Bucknell.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $70,576 | $70,576 |
| Housing & Meals | $17,560 | $17,560 |
| Total (Direct/Billed) | $88,136 | $88,136 |
Why only these items? We focus on the costs you typically pay directly to Bucknell — tuition/required fees, housing, and meals. Bucknell’s full Cost of Attendance also includes indirect expenses such as:
- Books & course materials
- Transportation (travel to/from campus)
- Personal/miscellaneous expenses
- Health insurance (if not covered elsewhere)
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price is approximately $40,429 per year after grants and scholarships (federal College Scorecard average).
Two important notes for families:
- Net price is an average. Some students pay much less (especially with need-based aid), while others pay closer to the full billed cost.
- Use the official Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate based on your household information.
Learn how net price and the new Student Aid Index (SAI) work in our Net Price & SAI Guide.
Bucknell University requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA for students seeking need-based financial aid. This is common at private colleges and allows Bucknell to award its own institutional grants more precisely.
- FAFSA: Determines eligibility for federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans)
- CSS Profile: Used by Bucknell to award institutional grants and need-based scholarships
- Merit scholarships: Usually awarded at admission and do not require the CSS Profile
Important: Skipping the CSS Profile can significantly reduce the amount of aid Bucknell is able to offer, even if you qualify based on income.
👉 What Is the CSS Profile? A Plain-English Guide for Parents →
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Bucknell University
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same at Bucknell?
Bucknell is a private university, so tuition and fees are not set by state residency rules. Everyone starts with the same billed price, and the difference comes from scholarships and need-based aid.
What’s the difference between “billed costs” and the full Cost of Attendance?
Billed costs are what you pay directly to Bucknell (tuition/fees + housing/meals if living on campus). The full Cost of Attendance also includes indirect costs like books, travel, and personal expenses — which matter for budgeting and financial aid calculations.
Is the $40,429 net price what my family will pay?
Not necessarily. That number is a federal average across students who receive aid. Your real cost can be higher or lower depending on your household income, assets, and the scholarships your student earns. The best next step is Bucknell’s Net Price Calculator.
Does Bucknell offer “automatic” merit scholarships?
Bucknell’s merit scholarships are typically awarded at the time of admission. That means there usually isn’t a separate scholarship application for general merit — but awards are still competitive (not guaranteed by a simple GPA/test-score chart).
Are there any programs that can cover full tuition?
Bucknell does not advertise a general full-tuition scholarship that any first-year applicant can count on. However, there are targeted programs for specific student groups (for example, certain transfer cohort programs) that may cover full tuition for selected students.
Does Bucknell require the CSS Profile?
Yes. If your student is applying for need-based financial aid at Bucknell, plan on completing both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/information-about-tuition-fees
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?211291-Bucknell-University
✅ Admission-Based Merit Scholarships at Bucknell University
Bucknell awards most of its institutional merit scholarships at the time of admission. There is typically no separate, general scholarship application, but awards are competitive and not guaranteed by a GPA or test-score chart.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucknell Admission-Based Merit Scholarships | Varies (often five-figure annual awards) | Strong academic performance, rigorous coursework, and overall fit with Bucknell; not guaranteed by GPA or test-score cutoffs | No | Yes | Academically strong applicants who stand out holistically, not just by numbers | With admission decision (ED or RD) |
| High-Level Admission-Based Merit | Can reach ~$40,000 per year | Exceptional academic preparation and institutional fit; limited availability | No | Yes | Top admits in the applicant pool; amounts and labels vary year to year | With admission decision |
| National Merit Scholarship (Bucknell-Sponsored) | $2,000 per year | National Merit Finalists who list Bucknell as first-choice institution with NMSC by the published deadline | No | Yes | Finalists who commit to Bucknell through the National Merit process | NMSC first-choice deadline (typically late spring) |
Important: Bucknell does not publish fixed GPA or test-score cutoffs for merit scholarships. Award names and amounts can change from year to year and depend on the applicant pool and institutional priorities.
FAQ — Bucknell Admission-Based Merit
Are these scholarships guaranteed if my student is admitted?
No. Admission does not guarantee a merit scholarship, even for academically strong applicants.
Do we need to submit a separate scholarship application?
Generally, no. Most institutional merit is considered automatically during the admission process.
Can merit scholarships be combined with need-based aid?
Yes. Merit awards can usually be combined with need-based grants, though Bucknell may adjust total aid to stay within packaging policies.
Are Engineering or Management Scholars included here?
No. Those programs are selective cohort-based awards and are covered separately under competitive scholarships.
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarship-programs
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/types-aid
🏆 Competitive Scholarships at Bucknell University
Bucknell’s competitive scholarships are limited, high-impact awards that require a separate selection process. These are open to the general student body and typically involve additional review beyond the standard admission decision.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Fellowships | $30,000 per year | Outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and engagement across disciplines | Yes (competitive selection) | Yes | Top admits with strong academics and demonstrated leadership | By admission round (typically with or shortly after admission) |
| Gamgort Family Gateway Scholars Program | Meets full demonstrated need (no loans) | First-generation students with strong academics and financial need | Yes (program selection) | Yes | High-achieving first-gen students selected for a small cohort | With or shortly after admission (program timelines vary) |
| Tools for Tomorrow Founder’s Scholarship | Covers full cost of attendance | Students who are Home Depot associates or children/grandchildren of associates | Yes (program-specific application) | Yes | Eligible applicants selected through the Tools for Tomorrow program | Program-specific deadline (varies) |
FAQ — Competitive Scholarships at Bucknell
What makes these scholarships “competitive”?
These awards require additional selection beyond admission and are limited in number. Strong academics alone are not enough.
Are these open to all majors?
Yes. Unlike departmental awards, these programs are open to the general student body and are not restricted to a specific college or major.
Can students receive both competitive and admission-based merit?
Sometimes. Bucknell may combine awards, but total aid is packaged according to institutional policies.
Are full-tuition or full-ride awards common at Bucknell?
No. Outside of targeted programs like the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship or Gateway Scholars, Bucknell does not offer a broad full-ride scholarship for most students.
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarship-programs
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/types-aid
🎖 Honors & Academic Enrichment at Bucknell University
Instead of a single Honors College, Bucknell emphasizes department-level honors, faculty-mentored research, and selective scholar programs that allow motivated students to pursue advanced academic work within their major.
For many students, this means deeper engagement in their field rather than a separate honors track layered on top of general education requirements.
FAQ — Honors & Enrichment at Bucknell
Does Bucknell have an Honors College?
No. Bucknell does not operate a centralized Honors College or honors dorm. Academic enrichment is handled through departments and selective programs.
Can students still do honors-level work?
Yes. Many departments offer honors options such as senior theses, capstone projects, or advanced seminars for high-performing students.
Are honors opportunities tied to scholarships?
Not automatically. Some competitive scholarships and scholar programs include enrichment components, but honors-level coursework itself is not required to receive admission-based merit.
Is there a separate application for departmental honors?
Requirements vary by department. Some honors tracks require faculty approval or a GPA threshold after enrollment rather than an application at admission.
Should students avoid Bucknell if they want an Honors College?
Not necessarily. Students who prefer close faculty mentorship and major-specific depth often find Bucknell’s model more meaningful than a broad honors program.
⭐ What Bucknell University Is Known For
Bucknell is a private university in a classic college-town setting, with a strong reputation for hands-on learning, strong academics, and majors that blend theory with real-world problem solving. If your student wants a school where professors know their name and internships/research are part of the culture, Bucknell is worth a close look.
One of Bucknell’s biggest strengths. Great fit for students who want strong fundamentals plus project-based work and close faculty mentoring.
The Freeman College of Management is a major draw. Good for students who want strong analytics, leadership development, and internship pathways.
Strong option for students interested in business-adjacent careers, policy, finance, or grad school. Pairs well with data/quant skills.
Solid STEM pathways for students interested in labs, research, and health-related graduate tracks. Best fit for students who want mentorship over “mega-lecture” science.
FAQ — Bucknell Programs & Academic Fit
Is Bucknell more “engineering-focused” or “business-focused”?
It can be both. Bucknell is known for strong engineering and a strong management college. The better question is:
does your student want a technical, project-based path (engineering) or a leadership/analytics path (management)?
Will my student have access to research and internships?
Often, yes — especially in STEM and business pathways. The advantage of a smaller private university is that motivated students
can sometimes access research or mentorship earlier than they could at a large public school.
Is Bucknell a good fit for students who are undecided?
It can be, but students should explore early. Bucknell’s strengths are strongest when a student is ready to lean into a pathway
(engineering, management, economics, or sciences) and use mentorship + opportunities to build momentum.
Does program strength affect scholarships?
Sometimes. Admission-based merit is evaluated holistically, but Bucknell also has selective program-based scholarships that may align
with certain academic tracks. Families should focus on fit first, then treat scholarship programs as a bonus.
🔗 Official Bucknell University Links
Use Bucknell’s official university resources below to verify admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid -
How to Apply (First-Year Students):
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/apply -
Early Decision & Application Deadlines:
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-dates-deadlines -
Scholarship Programs & Institutional Aid:
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarship-programs -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees-financial-aid -
Net Price Calculator:
https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/bucknell -
Admitted Student Profile / Common Data Set:
https://www.bucknell.edu/sites/default/files/institutional-research/common_data_set_2023_2024.pdf