College of the Holy Cross Scholarships (2025–2026)
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Last Updated on January 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~18–19%
- Middle 50% ACT: 29–33
- Middle 50% SAT: 1280–1430
- Average GPA (HS): Not reported
Source: College of the Holy Cross Office of Admissions (most recent published profile / CDS). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Holy Cross at a Glance
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships-grants
https://catalog.holycross.edu/about/financial-aid/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross
💰 Cost of Attendance at the College of the Holy Cross (2025–2026)
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. Holy Cross is a private college, so in-state and out-of-state costs are the same.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $67,200 | $67,200 |
| Housing & Meals (typical on-campus) | $19,700 | $19,700 |
| Total (Direct / Billed) | $86,900 | $86,900 |
Why only these items? We include the costs families typically pay directly to Holy Cross: tuition, housing, and meals. The college’s full Cost of Attendance also includes indirect expenses such as:
- Books and course materials
- Transportation (travel to and from campus)
- Personal and miscellaneous expenses
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price is about $36,868 per year after grants and scholarships (federal data).
Because Holy Cross awards substantial institutional aid, many families—especially those with demonstrated need—pay significantly less than the sticker price.
Use the college’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate, and learn how net price and the Student Aid Index (SAI) work in our
CSS Profile Guide.
In addition to the FAFSA, the College of the Holy Cross requires the CSS Profile to award institutional financial aid.
This form allows the college to assess eligibility for Holy Cross Grants and other need-based funding, including full-tuition grants for many families with incomes at or below $100,000.
👉 If this is your first time filling it out, start with our step-by-step
CSS Profile Guide.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at the College of the Holy Cross
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same?
Holy Cross is a private institution, so tuition is not subsidized by state taxes. All undergraduates pay the same published tuition rate regardless of residency.
Is the $86,900 total what most families actually pay?
No. That figure reflects the full sticker price before aid. The average net price is much lower due to Holy Cross’s institutional grants, and many families pay far less depending on financial need.
Does Holy Cross offer in-state discounts or regional tuition exchanges?
No. Holy Cross does not participate in programs like WUE, ACM, or MSEP. Financial aid is awarded based on institutional policy rather than residency.
Do I need to file the CSS Profile if we won’t qualify for need-based aid?
If you are applying for Holy Cross institutional aid, yes. Families who submit only the FAFSA may still qualify for federal aid, but the CSS Profile is required for Holy Cross Grants.
What costs are not billed directly by the college?
Books, transportation, and personal expenses are not billed by Holy Cross but are included in federal aid calculations. These typically add several thousand dollars per year.
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid
https://catalog.holycross.edu/about/financial-aid/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at the College of the Holy Cross
Holy Cross offers a limited number of automatic merit scholarships that are awarded directly by the Admission Committee. There is no separate scholarship application for these awards, and they are highly selective.
Holy Cross superscores both the ACT and SAT for admission and scholarship consideration, using the highest section scores across test dates. Submitting all test sittings can strengthen a student’s academic profile for merit review.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magis Scholarship | Partial tuition (amount varies) | Outstanding academic achievement; holistic admission review* | No | Yes — typically 4 years | Top academic admits in a highly selective pool | With admission application |
| Faber Scholarship | Partial tuition (amount varies) | Strong academics; demonstrated financial need considered* | No | Yes — typically 4 years | High-achieving admits whose profiles align with institutional priorities | With admission application |
| Ellis Scholarship | Full tuition (4 years) | Worcester, MA residents only; academic excellence | No (interview by invitation) | Yes — 4 years | Top Worcester applicants invited to interview | With admission application |
| Brooks Scholarship (Music) | Full tuition (4 years) | Incoming music majors; audition required | Yes — department process | Yes — 4 years | Exceptional musicians pursuing music degrees | Department deadline |
| Bean / FitzGerald Scholarships (Classics) | Full tuition (4 years) | Incoming classics majors; departmental selection | Yes — department process | Yes — 4 years | Students with exceptional preparation in classics | Department deadline |
| Organ Scholarship | Full tuition (4 years) | Music majors/double majors; organ performance focus | Yes — audition required | Yes — 4 years | Highly specialized music applicants | Department deadline |
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published student profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at Holy Cross
Do I need to apply separately for Holy Cross merit scholarships?
No. All admission-based merit scholarships are awarded automatically as part of the admission review process.
Are there published GPA or test score cutoffs?
No. Holy Cross does not publish merit grids or guaranteed thresholds. Awards are highly selective and based on holistic review.
Are departmental scholarships automatic?
No. Music and Classics scholarships require auditions or departmental selection and are limited to specific majors.
Does test-optional admission affect merit chances?
Holy Cross is test-optional, but strong test scores—especially when superscored—can strengthen a student’s academic profile for merit consideration.
Do merit scholarships stack with need-based aid?
Yes. Merit scholarships can stack with Holy Cross Grants and other need-based aid, though total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships-grants
https://catalog.holycross.edu/about/financial-aid/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
Unlike many large public universities, the College of the Holy Cross does not offer broad, application-based flagship scholarships (such as full-ride programs with essays, interviews, or leadership competitions open to all applicants).
Holy Cross focuses its financial aid strategy on meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. As a result, most high-dollar awards are need-based grants, not competitive merit scholarships.
Some named awards—such as the Ellis Scholarship—are sometimes described as “competitive,” but they are automatically considered at admission, restricted to specific populations (Worcester, MA residents), and do not require a separate scholarship application. For CRP purposes, these are best understood as special automatic awards, not flagship competitions.
FAQ — Competitive Scholarships at Holy Cross
Does Holy Cross have a full-ride or leadership flagship scholarship?
No. Holy Cross does not publish or operate a general full-ride or leadership-based flagship scholarship open to all applicants.
Why doesn’t Holy Cross offer large competitive merit programs?
Holy Cross prioritizes meeting full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students rather than allocating funds to a small number of merit-only awards.
Is the Ellis Scholarship a flagship award?
Not in the traditional sense. While it covers full tuition, it is limited to Worcester residents and does not require a separate scholarship application, making it closer to a special automatic award.
If my student is very high-achieving, should we expect a competitive merit scholarship?
Not typically. High-achieving students are more likely to receive strong need-based aid or limited automatic merit rather than a separate competitive scholarship.
Where should families focus instead?
Families should focus on completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile accurately and on time, as this is the primary pathway to substantial aid at Holy Cross.
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships-grants
https://catalog.holycross.edu/about/financial-aid/
🎖 Honors Programs & Opportunities
The College of the Holy Cross does not operate a separate undergraduate Honors College. Instead, high-achieving students can pursue departmental honors within their major and may later receive support for prestigious national fellowships and awards.
At Holy Cross, honors recognition is typically earned during enrollment through advanced coursework, faculty mentorship, and thesis or capstone projects — not granted automatically at admission.
Most academic departments offer an Honors track or Honors thesis option for juniors and seniors who meet GPA and coursework requirements. These opportunities emphasize research, writing, and close faculty collaboration rather than additional scholarships.
Holy Cross also maintains an Office of Distinguished Fellowships and Graduate Studies, which supports students applying for highly competitive external awards such as Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Rhodes, and similar national fellowships. These awards are funded externally and are not institutional scholarships.
FAQ — Honors at the College of the Holy Cross
Is there an Honors College at Holy Cross?
No. Holy Cross does not have a centralized Honors College or honors-based housing, advising, or scholarship program.
How do students earn honors recognition?
Students typically qualify through strong academic performance in their major and by completing honors-level coursework,
a thesis, or a capstone project, usually during junior and senior year.
Are there scholarships tied specifically to honors programs?
No. Holy Cross does not award separate scholarships solely for participation in departmental honors programs.
Do honors programs affect financial aid?
No. Participation in honors tracks does not automatically change a student’s financial aid package.
What is the value of honors at Holy Cross?
Honors programs offer academic depth, faculty mentorship, and preparation for graduate school or national fellowships,
rather than direct financial incentives.
https://www.holycross.edu/academics/support-resources/awards-honors-fellowships
https://catalog.holycross.edu/requirements-policies/honors-awards/
⭐ College Specialty
The College of the Holy Cross is a nationally respected Jesuit liberal arts college known for rigorous academics, close faculty mentorship, and strong preparation for graduate school and public-service careers. Families often choose Holy Cross for its small classes and writing-intensive curriculum, but its reputation extends well beyond “general liberal arts” into specific fields where alumni placement and outcomes are consistently strong.
Liberal Arts & Jesuit Education — Holy Cross is widely regarded as one of the top Jesuit undergraduate institutions in the U.S., known for academic rigor, ethical leadership training, and strong outcomes in law, medicine, public policy, and graduate study.
- Economics & Political Science: Two of Holy Cross’s most popular and well-regarded majors, with strong placement into law school, public policy roles, consulting, and federal service.
- Biology & Pre-Health Pathways: Advising-intensive programs with high medical and health-professional school placement rates relative to class size.
- Psychology: Research-driven undergraduate curriculum that prepares students well for graduate study, counseling, and clinical pathways.
- Writing-Intensive Liberal Arts Core: Emphasis on critical thinking, ethics, and communication skills that employers and graduate programs consistently value.
🔗 Official College of the Holy Cross Links
Use Holy Cross’s official university resources below to verify admissions requirements, financial aid policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/admissions -
Application Plans & Deadlines (ED / RD):
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/admissions/first-year-applicants -
Scholarships, Grants & Institutional Aid:
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships-grants -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid -
Net Price Calculator:
https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/holycross -
Common Data Set / Student Profile:
https://www.holycross.edu/about-holy-cross/institutional-research