Marist College Scholarships (2026–2027) — Merit Aid, Hidden Scholarships & Cost

Marist College Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on June 19, 2026
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and average family net price
  • Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
  • Flagship and hidden-gem awards
  • Honors and stacking strategy

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~65%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 25-30
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1230-1348
  • Average GPA: N/A

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌 Marist College at a Glance

Average Net Price
$39,660/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
$10,000–$30,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
11 opportunities
2 automatic · 9 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA TBD+; ACT 24+ / SAT 1180+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 15 • FAFSA: TBD
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA & CSS Profile
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Marist College (Read This First)

  • Merit money is tied to early timing: Marist has a priority scholarship deadline around November 15. Miss that, and your chances at the best merit awards drop fast—even if your student is strong.
  • This is still a high-cost private school—even with merit: Average net price is close to $40K/year :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, so a $10K–$30K scholarship doesn’t automatically make it “affordable.” You need to run the real numbers early.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes — Marist College is test-optional.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 25-30; SAT: 1230-1348.

Average net price? About $39,660/yearyear after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.


💰 Cost of Attendance at Marist College 2026-2027

📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.

Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.

Category (2026–2027) In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) $50,760 $50,760
Housing & Meals (typical) $20,130 $20,130
Total (Direct Costs) $70,890 $70,890

Average Federal Net Price: $39,660 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.

📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options

Marist College is a private institution that charges the same tuition and mandatory fees to all undergraduates regardless of residency; tuition is listed separately from required activity, health, and orientation fees, housing and meal plans are listed separately as room and board in the cost-of-attendance tables, and no nonresident tuition waivers or regional reciprocity discounts are described in official tuition, cost, or admission materials

📄 CSS Profile Required for Institutional Aid

Marist College requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA to award most forms of institutional need-based aid, including Marist Grants and many endowed scholarships.

If your family does not submit the CSS Profile, your student may still receive federal aid but could miss out on thousands of dollars in Marist-funded assistance.

👉 New to the CSS Profile? Start here: What Is the CSS Profile? A Simple Guide for Parents

⚠️ Important clarification

Marist requires the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for many institutional grants. Common mistake: families file only the FAFSA and miss out on Marist-funded aid. If Marist is on your list, submit both forms by the priority deadline.

FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Marist College

Why do in-state and out-of-state costs look identical?
Marist is a private college, so it does not use residency-based tuition rates. Students generally pay the same tuition and required fees whether they live in New York or not.

What’s included in the “Tuition & Mandatory Fees” line?
Marist’s 2026–27 estimate includes tuition plus required fees (including items like activity and health services fees). Some fees (like orientation) may apply only once, but they still show up in the first-year cost estimate.

Is the $72,030 total what we’ll actually pay?
That number reflects the direct, billed costs for a first-year student living on campus before aid (tuition/fees + housing/meal plan). Your net cost depends on grants, scholarships (including Marist merit scholarships), and your housing choice.

What does the $39,660 average net price actually mean?
It’s a federal average of what students paid after grants and scholarships. Students with strong merit awards or significant need-based aid can land below that number, while families who don’t qualify for aid may pay closer to the published direct cost.

Does Marist offer regional tuition programs like WUE, MSEP, or Academic Common Market?
Usually no — those programs mainly apply to public universities that have in-state rates to discount. At Marist, the savings lever is typically institutional aid (merit + need-based grants), not residency programs.

What are the “extra” costs families forget to budget for?
Books/supplies, travel, and personal expenses can add a few thousand dollars per year. If your student borrows federal loans, loan fees can also show up in the official cost of attendance.

Sources:
https://www.marist.edu/admission/undergraduate/fin-aid-scholarships/freshman-cost-and-tuition
https://www.marist.edu/admission/undergraduate/fin-aid/tuition-fees
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?192819-Marist-University

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Marist College

Marist College awards automatic merit scholarships to incoming freshmen based on the admission application alone. There is no separate scholarship application for these awards, and students are notified at or shortly after admission.

⚠️ Test Score Policy Note

Marist is test-optional. If you choose to submit scores, the college does not clearly publish a superscore policy for the ACT or SAT. Submitting your strongest single test sitting is typically the safest approach for merit consideration.

If your student looks like this:
  • High academic stats + early applicant: Focus on maximizing automatic merit and confirming CSS Profile submission.
  • Solid A/A- student comparing private colleges: Merit may not cover everything — stacking alumni, program-based, or endowed aid becomes important.
Automatic
Marist Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15
✓ Renews (2.85 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000–$20,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1180 SAT

Stacking & Combining
Serves as the primary institutional merit award; students generally receive only one Marist merit scholarship and total institutional aid is typically capped.

💡
Strategic Detail
Merit ranges and test score expectations are approximate and can change by year; Marist is test-optional and does not clearly publish a superscore policy.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most merit recipients with solid A/A- records and consistent coursework rigor.
Automatic
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15
✓ Renews (2.85 GPA, 4 yrs)
$23,000–$30,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
✎ ~28 ACT✎ ~1300 SAT

Stacking & Combining
Serves as the primary institutional merit award; students generally receive only one Marist merit scholarship and total institutional aid is typically capped.

💡
Strategic Detail
Merit ranges and test score expectations are approximate and can change by year; Marist is test-optional and does not clearly publish a superscore policy.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top portion of admitted freshmen with strong academics who often apply Early Action.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published student profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.

Who actually wins these awards: At Marist, higher-dollar merit awards tend to go to students who apply early and show consistent academic strength. Students in the solid A-range often land the Marist Scholarship, while Presidential-level awards usually combine strong academics with an early application and a competitive overall profile.

FAQ — Automatic Merit at Marist College

Do I need to apply separately for Marist merit scholarships?
No. All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission.

Does applying Early Action help with merit aid?
Yes. While Marist does not publish strict quotas, higher-value awards like the Presidential Scholarship are more commonly awarded during the Early Action round (Nov 15).

Can test-optional students still receive merit scholarships?
Yes. Marist is test-optional, and students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores are still considered for merit. Strong grades, course rigor, and the overall application matter more in those cases.

Are these scholarships stackable?
These academic merit scholarships generally serve as the primary Marist merit award. Some students may also qualify for additional institutional or “hidden gem” scholarships, but total institutional aid is typically capped.

What GPA is required to keep the scholarship?
Both the Presidential and Marist Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided the student maintains at least a ~2.85 cumulative GPA and meets enrollment requirements.

Does Marist superscore ACT or SAT results?
Marist does not clearly state a superscore policy. If you submit scores, assume they will evaluate individual test sittings rather than combining section highs.

Sources:
https://www.marist.edu/financial-aid/freshman/types-of-aid/scholarships
https://library.marist.edu/web/guest/admission/financial-aid/marist-scholarships
https://www.marist.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/first-year-student

🏆 Competitive & Flagship Scholarships at Marist College

Marist College does not offer a separate, campus-wide “flagship” scholarship program with its own application, interview, or scholar cohort (such as Stamps or full-ride honors programs found at some universities).

Instead, Marist structures its aid in two main ways:

  • High-value academic awards (including the Presidential Scholarship) that are automatically awarded at admission and covered in the Automatic Merit section.
  • Smaller, targeted scholarships tied to specific programs, talents, or backgrounds (e.g., music, theatre, athletics, alumni or service-based awards), which are best understood as “hidden gem” scholarships rather than traditional flagship awards.
⚠️ Important Clarification for Families

If you’re searching for a single, competitive, full-tuition or full-ride scholarship with a separate application, Marist does not currently offer one. The largest institutional awards are determined through the admissions review itself, not a standalone scholarship competition.

That doesn’t mean competitive opportunities don’t exist — they’re just distributed differently. Students with special talents, service records, or affiliations should focus next on the Hidden Gem Scholarships section, where Marist’s program-based and identity-based awards are listed in detail.

This institution does not offer designated Competitive scholarships at this time.

FAQ — Competitive & Flagship Aid at Marist

Is the Presidential Scholarship considered a flagship award?
It is Marist’s highest academic award, but it is not a traditional flagship scholarship. It is awarded automatically at admission without a separate application or interview.

Are there any full-ride scholarships at Marist?
Marist does not advertise a guaranteed full-ride institutional scholarship. Some students approach full coverage by combining automatic merit, institutional grants, and outside scholarships.

Where should students with special talents or backgrounds look instead?
Those opportunities live in the Hidden Gem Scholarships section, which includes program-based awards (music, theatre, athletics) and targeted institutional scholarships.

Does applying early improve access to Marist’s highest awards?
Yes. While there is no separate flagship competition, higher-value merit awards are more commonly seen in the Early Action pool.


💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at Marist College

These scholarships don’t always show up in headline marketing—but for the right students, they can significantly reduce cost. Most are targeted by background, program, or enrollment path and often require extra verification, auditions, or applications beyond admission.

Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Alumni Children Scholarship
📅 Deadline: With admission / enrollment
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Award applies in addition to merit-based scholarships, subject to overall institutional aid limits.

💡
Strategic Detail
Effective Fall 2021, all children of alumni who enroll full-time at Marist receive $5,000 per year for up to four years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time undergraduates who are confirmed children of Marist alumni.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dollars for Scholars Match
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited annual institutional matching pool; awards processed first-come, first-served until funds are exhausted. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Marist matches up to $500 per recipient, subject to an annual institutional cap and first-come, first-served processing.

📄
How to Apply
Secure an eligible Dollars for Scholars award and submit official documentation to Student Financial Services for matching consideration.

💡
Strategic Detail
Marist has committed a maximum pool (e.g., $10,000) for matching scholarships each year; once exhausted, no further matches are made.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who earn local Dollars for Scholars awards and submit documentation before matching funds are exhausted.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marist Endowed Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies (often spring cycle)
✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Generally stacks with institutional merit aid, but total institutional aid is typically capped; individual donor rules may apply.

📄
How to Apply
Complete profiles and applications in Marist’s internal scholarship portal after enrollment; meet any donor-specific criteria.
Selection criteria: Varies by donor; often considers financial need, academic performance, major, and personal background.
✎ Essays

💡
Strategic Detail
Many endowed scholarships are need-based and require FAFSA and often CSS Profile; individual awards and criteria vary by donor.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who carefully complete internal scholarship profiles, demonstrate fit with donor criteria, and often have documented financial need.
Automatic
Marist Brothers Scholarship
📅 Deadline: With admission / enrollment
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based

Stacking & Combining
Award is in addition to other merit-based scholarships (up to institutional merit cap).

💡
Strategic Detail
Effective Fall 2018; applies annually for four years provided the student attends full time (at least 12 credits per semester) and remains in good academic standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students graduating from Marist Brothers high schools in the U.S. or abroad who enroll full-time and remain in good academic standing.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Music Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by audition schedule
✓ Renews
$2,000–$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Can stack with institutional merit aid, subject to overall institutional aid limits and ensemble participation requirements.

📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission and complete a required music audition by departmental deadlines.
Selection criteria: Audition-based evaluation of musical ability and fit with ensemble needs.

💡
Strategic Detail
Award range is estimated based on prior examples; Marist does not publish fixed dollar amounts for all arts scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with strong instrumental or vocal performance who successfully audition and participate in Marist ensembles.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
NCAA Athletic Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Recruiting cycle
✓ Renews
Varies
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Determined by NCAA scholarship limits and team budgets in each sport. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Aid levels differ by sport and roster needs; may interact with other institutional aid per NCAA and institutional policy.

📄
How to Apply
Engage with Marist Division I coaches during the recruiting process; offers are extended at coach discretion within NCAA rules.
Selection criteria: Coach evaluation of athletic ability, team fit, and recruiting priorities.

💡
Strategic Detail
Specific scholarship amounts and percentages are not publicly listed and vary widely by sport and year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Recruited Division I student-athletes whose abilities match roster and scholarship needs in their sport.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Otto Sussman Trust Scholarship
📅 Deadline: As needed
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 Upperclassmen

Stacking & Combining
Intended as last-resort funding for students facing unforeseen financial hardship in their final year; supplements other aid after all forms are exhausted.

📄
How to Apply
Contact the Office of Student Financial Services; application is completed in coordination with a financial aid administrator and submitted to the Trust.
Selection criteria: Evaluates severity of financial hardship, academic record, and proximity to graduation.
✎ Essays

💡
Strategic Detail
Preference given to seniors and graduate students in their final year of study; applications must be submitted by the university financial aid officer, not directly by students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: 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.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) Scholarship
📅 Deadline: With transfer admission
✓ Renews (2.85 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🎓 Transfer

💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable with approximately 2.85 GPA and full-time enrollment as indicated in CRP content; specific internal policy details are not fully published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving community college transfer students who are active PTK members.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Theatre Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by department timeline
✓ Renews
$2,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad

Stacking & Combining
Can stack with institutional merit aid, subject to overall institutional aid limits and continued theatre participation.

📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission and complete a theatre audition or submit a portfolio by departmental deadlines.
Selection criteria: Audition/portfolio-based evaluation of theatre talent and contribution to productions.

💡
Strategic Detail
Award range is estimated based on departmental examples; exact amounts and renewal criteria vary by year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Applicants with demonstrated theatre experience and strong auditions or portfolios.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

*Estimated award ranges are based on prior recipient reports, departmental examples, and third-party summaries. Marist does not publish fixed dollar amounts for all program-based or donor-funded scholarships; actual awards may be higher or lower.

Timeline to maximize aid at Marist
  • Aug–Nov: Apply Early Action if possible; submit FAFSA and CSS Profile.
  • Nov–Feb: Complete any auditions or program-specific applications.
  • Spring after enrollment: Watch for endowed scholarship opportunities through Marist’s internal portal.

FAQ — Hidden Gem Scholarships at Marist

Which hidden scholarships are the easiest to qualify for?
The Alumni Children and Marist Brothers Scholarships are the quickest wins if your student qualifies, since they’re based on verification rather than competition.

Do students need to keep applying for scholarships after admission?
Yes. Many endowed and donor-funded awards are awarded through Marist’s internal portal and may open after enrollment.

Are arts scholarships worth pursuing even if amounts vary?
If your student already plans to participate, yes. These awards can stack with merit aid and reward skills the admission office values.

How should families think about athletic scholarships?
Athletic aid depends heavily on the sport and coaching needs. Families should have direct conversations with coaches early to understand what’s realistic.

Sources:
https://www.marist.edu/financial-aid/freshman/types-of-aid/scholarships
https://library.marist.edu/web/guest/admission/financial-aid/marist-scholarships
https://marist.scholarshipuniverse.com/public/home
https://www.marist.edu/documents/d/guest/otto-sussman-trust-scholarship-letter

🎖 Honors Program at Marist College

Marist College does not operate a centralized Honors College with automatic admission-based perks or guaranteed scholarships. Instead, academic enrichment opportunities are offered through selective programs, faculty mentorship, and departmental pathways.

⚠️ Important for Families

There is no automatic Honors-based tuition discount or scholarship at Marist. High academic achievers are primarily rewarded through automatic merit scholarships awarded at admission, not through a separate Honors aid structure.

This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.

What “Honors” Looks Like at Marist

  • Smaller, discussion-based courses within select programs or majors
  • Faculty-directed research or capstone projects, often in upper-level coursework
  • Priority access to certain academic experiences, depending on department
  • Transcript or program distinctions rather than a standalone Honors College label

Who This Works Best For

  • Students who value close faculty relationships over formal Honors branding
  • High-achieving students who already received strong merit aid at admission
  • Students planning to pursue graduate school and who want research or capstone depth
  • Students comfortable seeking out opportunities rather than enrolling in a preset Honors track

FAQ — Honors & Academic Enrichment at Marist

Is there an Honors College application?
No. Marist does not have a standalone Honors College or a separate Honors admission process.

Do Honors students receive extra scholarships?
No guaranteed Honors-only scholarships are published. Academic scholarships at Marist are awarded primarily through the automatic merit process at admission.

How do strong students access advanced coursework?
Through departmental advising, selective courses, faculty research opportunities, and capstone projects, rather than a centralized Honors curriculum.

Does Marist Honors carry weight for graduate school?
Yes—graduate schools typically care more about research experience, faculty recommendations, and academic rigor than whether a college uses an “Honors College” label.

Sources:
https://www.marist.edu/financial-aid/freshman/types-of-aid/scholarships
https://library.marist.edu/web/guest/admission/financial-aid/marist-scholarships
https://www.marist.edu/academics

⭐ College Specialty

Marist College is best known for combining a traditional liberal arts foundation with career-oriented programs that connect directly to employers—especially in the Northeast. Families often discover Marist through its strong business outcomes, but the college has also built a national reputation in areas like fashion, communication, and applied technology.

Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Marist focuses on programs where internships, applied learning, and industry connections are built into the student experience.

  • Business: Marist’s business programs are widely recognized for strong placement in finance, accounting, marketing, and management—especially with employers in New York and the Hudson Valley. Internships and professional networking are a core part of the curriculum.
  • Communication & Media: The college has a long-standing strength in communication, journalism, and media studies, with hands-on coursework that emphasizes writing, digital storytelling, broadcasting, and public relations.
  • Fashion (Merchandising & Design-Adjacent Fields): Marist is nationally known for fashion merchandising programs that blend business, marketing, and design thinking—appealing to students interested in the fashion industry without pursuing a traditional art-school path.
  • Computer Science & Applied Technology: Marist has invested heavily in applied computing, data-driven coursework, and technology-focused programs that align with real-world problem solving rather than purely theoretical study.

✨ Wrapping It Up

Marist College is a private university where merit scholarships do real work, but affordability usually depends on understanding the full picture — not just the headline award. Most students receive one primary merit scholarship through admission, while additional support comes from need-based grants, select stackable programs, and department- or donor-funded awards.

Because Marist charges a single tuition rate for all students, the biggest cost differences come down to which scholarships apply, whether the CSS Profile is filed on time, and whether families pursue the smaller awards that often get overlooked. Missing one step — especially the CSS Profile — is one of the most common reasons families see a higher net price than expected.

If Marist is on your list, the smartest move isn’t guessing what aid might come through — it’s comparing Marist side-by-side with similar private colleges and identifying where your student’s academic profile, timing, and eligibility unlock the most value.

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