Hofstra University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

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

If your student is looking at private universities on Long Island, Hofstra stands out with a mix of strong academics and generous merit aid. This guide breaks down real costs, scholarships, and honors perks so you can see what Hofstra might actually cost your family. For New York state-specific aid, be sure to also check our New York State Aid Guide alongside this page.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Hofstra University

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees (12–17 credits)	$59,960	$59,960
Housing & Meals	$19,687	$19,687
Books & Supplies	$1,000	$1,000
Travel	$1,000	$1,000
Personal Expenses	$1,050	$1,050
Total (before aid)	$83,767	$83,767

Average Net Price: $35,129 (latest federal data). This is what families actually paid after scholarships and grants—no loans included.

Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: Hofstra is a private university with one tuition rate. There are no state reciprocity, WUE, or Flagship Match discounts—all students pay the same published tuition.

COA FAQ

Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
At Hofstra, there’s no difference—everyone pays the same tuition because it’s a private university.

How much can aid actually lower the cost?
The average family paid about $35k per year after grants and scholarships, compared to the sticker price of $83k.

Do I need to apply separately for Hofstra’s tuition discount programs?
No. Since there are no state reciprocity or WUE discounts, your main focus is applying for Hofstra’s merit scholarships and need-based aid.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Hofstra reviews every admitted first-year for institutional merit (no separate app). Awards below are per year and reflect Hofstra’s published ranges; selection is holistic.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility (plain English)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Scholars	$35,000	Strong academics; holistic.	No	Yes	Published guidance: SAT/ACT-equiv 1300–1600; weighted GPA 3.9–4.3.
Provost Scholars	$29,500–$34,000	Solid academics; holistic.	No	Yes	Published guidance: SAT/ACT-equiv 1150–1590; weighted GPA 3.2–4.3.
Dean’s Scholars	$10,000–$29,000	Admissible academics; holistic.	No	Yes	Published guidance: SAT/ACT-equiv 1030–1560; weighted GPA 2.7–4.3.

Ranges above reflect Hofstra’s own guidance for who “will likely receive” each award; selection remains holistic and awards are tuition-only. Renewal generally requires full-time enrollment and maintaining the scholarship GPA specified in the award letter.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do they superscore?
Yes. If you submit scores, Hofstra will superscore the SAT/ACT (they consider your highest section scores across test dates). Test submission is optional, but Trustee and Presidential are offered only to students who submit standardized test scores.

Is a separate scholarship application required?
No. All admitted first-years are automatically reviewed for merit during admission; Early Action (Nov 15 or Dec 15) is recommended for top awards.

Can these stack with other aid?
Institutional scholarships are tuition-only and typically cannot exceed tuition when combined with other Hofstra tuition awards. Need-based grants and external scholarships may stack up to cost of attendance (see your award letter for specifics).

🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships

These are Hofstra’s top, highly competitive scholarships that go beyond the automatic merit awards. They usually cover full tuition and are offered only to a small group of the strongest applicants each year.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Trustee Scholars Program	Full tuition (4 years; ≈30 awards annually)	First-year admits with exceptional academic achievement and distinction. Early Action strongly recommended.	No (reviewed during admission; EA by Nov 15 or Dec 15 recommended)	Yes (must remain full-time and meet GPA renewal requirements in award letter)	Published guidance: ~1540 SAT/ACT-equivalent, ~4.2 weighted GPA, top 10% of class, plus strong leadership/service profile.

Flagship Scholarship FAQ

What makes the Trustee Program competitive?
Only about 30 students are chosen each year, out of thousands of applicants. Selection is holistic and looks beyond academics to leadership, service, and distinction.

Do you need to apply separately?
No. Consideration is automatic with your admission application. But applying Early Action (Nov 15 or Dec 15) is strongly encouraged since most awards are offered then.

Can Trustee Scholars stack with other aid?
Because it’s a full tuition scholarship, it generally replaces other Hofstra tuition awards. Federal and outside scholarships can still help with housing, meals, or fees.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the big merit awards, Hofstra has smaller programs and niche scholarships that can help reduce costs. These often target special groups of students or unique opportunities like study abroad or ROTC.

Scholarship/Program	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH)	Comprehensive aid package (varies by FAFSA need)	First-year applicants with academic promise and financial need; interview and documentation required	Yes — apply by Feb 1 through NOAH program office	Yes, program-based renewal rules	Students with strong persistence, community focus, and need profile who commit to NOAH support programming
Amsterdam Exchange Scholarships	Full tuition for semester/year abroad (6 awards; 3 reserved for Zarb business students)	Hofstra undergraduates accepted to the University of Amsterdam exchange program	Yes — via Study Abroad/Provost’s office	N/A (one-term or one-year award)	High-achieving students with strong GPA and program fit; Zarb majors favored for reserved slots
Army ROTC Scholarships	Up to full tuition, plus monthly stipend and book allowance	Students meeting U.S. Army ROTC academic, fitness, and service commitment standards	Yes — via ROTC national board	Yes, with satisfactory progress and service commitment	Students with leadership ability, good academics, and physical fitness (STEM majors often favored)
Study Abroad & Research Grants	$500–$2,500	Students participating in Hofstra-sponsored study abroad or undergraduate research	Yes — through Study Abroad or faculty mentor applications	N/A (one-time awards)	Engaged students with solid academic standing and faculty recommendations
LGBTQ+ Activism Scholarships	Ranges from partial tuition up to full tuition, plus potential summer stipend	Students with a record of activism or potential for leadership in LGBTQ+ advocacy; open to all identities	Yes — typically through Financial Aid/Scholarship portal	Yes, subject to continued engagement and academic standing	High-achieving applicants with proven activism or leadership experience in LGBTQ+ causes
Booster Alumni Endowed Spirit Scholarship	Varies ($1,000–$5,000 typical range)	Active members of Cheerleading Squad, Kickline/Dance Team, Pep Band, Twirling Corps, or Mascot with minimum GPA	Yes — via Spirit/Alumni Relations	Yes, if active participation and GPA maintained	Spirit team members in good academic standing who show commitment for at least one year
WorldChangers Scholarship Contest	$1,500 (one-time)	Admitted students who submit a social media entry demonstrating their plan to make an impact as a “Hofstra World Changer”	Yes — contest entry required	No	Creative admitted students who actively participate in the social media contest

Disclaimer: Award amounts for LGBTQ+ Activism Scholarships and Booster Alumni Endowed Spirit Scholarship reflect published ranges or evidence-based estimates from similar Hofstra endowed funds. Exact amounts vary by donor funding and year. Always confirm current-year values with Hofstra’s Financial Aid Office.

Hofstra Student Leadership Awards (recognition, not direct tuition coverage)
First-Generation Office resources and support (may connect to donor-funded awards, but no set dollar scholarship at present)
Various departmental and graduate program scholarships (handled separately by schools/departments)

Hidden Gem FAQ

What is NOAH?
It’s Hofstra’s long-standing access program that combines academic and financial support for high-potential students with financial need. Admission is competitive and requires a Feb 1 application.

Do study abroad awards cover all costs?
Not usually — most cover a portion of tuition or travel. The Amsterdam exchange is the exception, with a small number of full-tuition spots.

How do ROTC scholarships work at Hofstra?
Hofstra students can enroll in Army ROTC; if selected, scholarships can cover full tuition and provide stipends, in exchange for a military service commitment after graduation.

⭐ College Specialty

Hofstra is a private university on Long Island best known for its hands-on learning, media connections in New York City, and strong professional schools. Families often hear about its award-winning student radio station and dual-accredited business programs, but Hofstra also shines in health, nursing, and partnerships with Northwell Health. While not classified as an R1 research university, it has built a reputation for career-ready programs tied to industry pipelines.

Standout Program:

🎙️ Broadcast Journalism & Media — Hofstra’s WRHU (88.7 FM) has won the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award for “College Station of the Year” four times (2014, 2019, 2022, 2023). It also serves as the flagship station for professional sports teams, giving undergraduates unique, nationally recognized on-air experience.

Frank G. Zarb School of Business — Holds dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting (a distinction earned by fewer than 2% of business schools worldwide).
Nursing & Health Professions — Clinical placements through partnerships with Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare system, provide direct pipelines to jobs.
Law & Public Policy — Maurice A. Deane School of Law is regionally ranked and noted for family law and health law programs (U.S. News 2024 specialty rankings).

🎖️ Honors College

The Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College (RHC) at Hofstra offers motivated students small classes, mentorship, and a community that makes a big university feel more personal. Admission is both by invitation and self-application, so strong students can find a way in at multiple points in their college journey.

What a Typical Hofstra Honors Student Looks Like:

Average SAT/ACT around 1390/31, weighted GPA above 4.0, and usually ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. Students also show rigor through AP/IB courses and leadership in service or activities.

Perks of Honors at Hofstra:

Priority registration for courses
Dedicated Honors housing community
Small, seminar-style classes and faculty mentorship
Opportunities for research, thesis projects, and NYC cultural events

Honors FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. Some top students are invited after admission, but others may apply with a Hofstra GPA of 3.4+ (or 3.6+ after the first term). Transfers with a 3.5+ GPA can also join.

Does the Honors College add time to a degree?
No. Honors courses and options are designed to integrate into any major, so students graduate on time.

Are there extra scholarships?
RHC itself does not publish a separate full scholarship, but honors students often compete well for Hofstra’s flagship awards and can access special grants for study abroad and research.

What are the deadlines?
Early Action applicants are more likely to be invited. Current Hofstra students may apply after their first semester once GPA requirements are met.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Sorting through Hofstra’s costs and scholarships can feel overwhelming, but when you break it down the picture is clearer: strong automatic merit for most admitted students, one flagship full-tuition scholarship for the very top, and plenty of hidden opportunities through programs like NOAH, ROTC, and study abroad. Paired with its standout programs in media, business, and health, Hofstra offers both financial pathways and academic value that can make a private education more affordable than it first appears.

✅ Last updated: September 20, 2025