Siena Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Merit scholarship ranges and how students qualify
- Named awards and transfer scholarship opportunities
- How to time application & stack Siena aid with state/federal grants
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~78%
- Middle 50% SAT (submitted): 1110–1340
- Middle 50% ACT (submitted): 27–33
- Average HS GPA: ~3.53
Middle 50% = the score band where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Siena at a Glance
Last verified: October 23, 2025
Siena ensures a baseline of institutional scholarship via its Siena Guarantee — at least $14,250/year in scholarships — for all full-time students. Merit awards top out around $27,000 for strong academic records. With test-optional admissions, GPA and course rigor carry strong weight. Although no full-cost scholarship is broadly advertised, combining Siena’s institutional aid with state/federal grants often produces a much lower net price than sticker suggests.
Use this guide to estimate your net cost, see which merit tiers might apply to your student, and plan FAFSA & admissions timing for best results.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes. Siena is test-optional; SAT/ACT are not required. (Holistic review)
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? SAT 1110–1340; ACT 27–33 among those who submit scores.
What’s the average net price? ~$32,697 after scholarships & grants (federal College Scorecard).
Does Siena offer full-tuition / full-ride scholarships? Not broadly. Its institutional aid and merit scholarships reduce tuition significantly, but no published full-ride program exists for all applicants.
University COA page: https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/
Tuition & Fees / Room & Board: https://www.siena.edu/offices/business-services/student-accounts/tuition-fees-room-board/
Housing costs (2025–2026): https://www.siena.edu/offices/community-living/general-housing-information/housing-costs/
Admissions deadlines: https://www.siena.edu/apply/deadlines/
Testing policy (test-optional): https://www.siena.edu/apply/application-process/
The Siena Guarantee: https://www.siena.edu/apply/the-siena-guarantee/
BigFuture (admissions ranges & costs): https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/siena-college/admissions
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?195474=
💰 Cost of Attendance at Siena College
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–17 credits) | $48,895 | $48,895 |
| Housing & Meals (typical on-campus) | $17,260 | $17,260 |
| Total Direct Costs | $66,155 | $66,155 |
Note: Books & supplies, transportation, and personal expenses are not included in the table because families do not pay these charges directly to Siena. They are indirect/estimated costs that vary based on course materials, travel distance, and individual spending.
Academic reciprocity: Siena participates in the Hudson–Mohawk Association cross-registration program—expanded course access at partner campuses, no tuition discount.
Quick FAQ
Why are in-state and out-of-state the same? Siena is a private college with one tuition rate.
Will my total match $66,155? Not exactly—your residence hall, meal plan, and personal spending will move your total up or down.
What’s “average net price”? It’s the average families paid after grants/scholarships in that federal year—helpful for ballpark budgeting.
University COA page: https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/
Tuition & Fees / Room & Board: https://www.siena.edu/offices/business-services/student-accounts/tuition-fees-room-board/
Housing costs (2025–2026): https://www.siena.edu/offices/community-living/general-housing-information/housing-costs/
College Catalog (2025–2026): https://catalog.siena.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=733
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?195474=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $25,000–$27,000 per year | Automatic for strongest admits: typically GPA ≥ 3.5 with advanced/AP/Honors rigor. SAT/ACT optional (1160+ SAT or 25+ ACT if submitted strengthens) | No | Yes — maintain good academic standing; see award letter for cutoff | A–/A averages (3.5+), AP/IB/Honors; ACT 28+/SAT 1300+ can strengthen but not required* | Rolling (priority FAFSA: March 1) |
| Franciscan Scholarship | $23,500 per year | Solid academics; typically B+/A– (GPA ~3.3–3.6) plus involvement/service | No | Yes — maintain academic progress per letter | B+/A– students (~3.3–3.6*), strong service/involvement; not strictly test based | Rolling (priority FAFSA: March 1) |
| St. Clare Scholarship | $22,000 per year | Automatic for high school GPA 3.0–3.19 | No | Yes — maintain good academic standing | B averages (GPA 3.0–3.19) regardless of test scores | Rolling |
| Siena Guarantee (floor) | Minimum $57,000 over 4 years | All admitted students qualify for at least this amount in Siena scholarships | No | Yes — packaged as institutional merit | Every admitted student, even below named scholarship tiers | Rolling |
*GPA/test bands marked with * are estimates for parent guidance based on published thresholds and recent award patterns. Actual cutoffs may vary by applicant pool and year.
FAQ
Do I need a separate application? No. All admitted students are automatically considered for Siena’s merit scholarships.
Is Siena test-optional and do they superscore? Yes — Siena is test-optional, and if you submit scores, they will superscore across test dates.
Can awards stack? Siena applies your highest institutional merit scholarship; need-based aid and outside scholarships can still be stacked up to the cost of attendance.
Siena Merit Scholarships – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/
Siena Affordability – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/afford/
Cost of Attendance & Calculator – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/cost-attendance/
Siena College St. Clare Scholarship – https://www.scholarships360.org/scholarship/siena-college-st-claire-scholarship/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
Beyond Siena’s automatic merit awards, the college also offers a limited number of competitive flagship scholarships. These are not guaranteed with admission — students must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, or service, and in some cases complete a separate application or interview.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|
No flagship competitive scholarships are currently listed separately from Siena’s automatic merit awards. Students should focus on Presidential, Franciscan, and other automatic scholarships as the college’s top institutionally funded awards.
FAQ
What makes a scholarship “competitive” at Siena? Unlike automatic merit, competitive scholarships usually require an extra step such as an interview, essay, or special review. Siena does not currently list any additional competitive flagship awards beyond its automatic merit tiers.
Are national flagship awards like National Merit or STAMPS offered here? No — Siena is not a partner with National Merit, STAMPS, or QuestBridge.
Should students still apply for outside competitive scholarships? Yes. Many Siena students combine institutional merit with competitive national or regional awards to reduce their net cost.
Siena Merit & Competitive Scholarships – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/
Siena College Scholarships – https://collegereadyparent.org/siena-college-scholarships/
Siena College Endowed Scholarships – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/endowed/
🎖️ Honors College
Siena’s J. Spencer & Patricia Standish Honors Program is designed for high-achieving students who want an academic experience that goes deeper than the standard curriculum. It features small, discussion-driven seminars, close faculty mentorship, and flexibility to integrate study abroad or internships without delaying graduation.
GPA usually 3.7+, strong writing/critical thinking, AP/IB/Honors coursework, plus a clear record of service or leadership. Admission is by invitation or selective application review; approximately 50 students enter each year.
- Priority course registration
- Small Honors seminars and faculty mentorship
- Option to contract courses for Honors credit
- Capstone thesis or research project support
- Flexibility to study abroad or intern without adding time to degree
FAQ
Is admission automatic with Siena admission? No — students are invited after admission review or may signal interest; final acceptance is selective (application, essay, recommendations).
Does Honors add extra time to graduate? No — the curriculum fits a standard four-year plan, even when combining study abroad or internships.
Are there dedicated scholarships tied to Honors? No separate Honors scholarships are published; Standish Honors students typically hold the highest Siena merit or donor-endowed awards offered via FAFSA/academic review.
What’s the deadline? Indicate interest during the admissions process or by Siena’s priority deadline to be considered. Returning students may apply after 30 credits with a GPA of 3.3+.
Standish Honors Program – https://www.siena.edu/academics/standish-honors-program/
Catalog: Standish Honors – https://catalog.siena.edu/arts-sciences/students/honors/
Admissions Requirements – https://www.siena.edu/admissions/
Siena Scholarships – https://www.siena.edu/offices/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/
Financial Aid Terms – https://www.siena.edu/academics/financial-aid/terms/
⭐ College Specialty
Siena College is a private Franciscan liberal arts college in New York that has built a reputation for blending small-school attention with strong professional preparation. Families often choose Siena for its accredited business programs, growing data science offerings, and research opportunities that rival larger institutions — all while keeping a close-knit campus feel.
- Data Science: Siena offers one of the first liberal arts–focused data science degrees in the region, integrating technical skills with applied problem-solving.
- Accounting: Consistently ranked among the top accounting programs in New York State for CPA pass rates and job placement.
- Siena Research Institute (SRI): Nationally cited polling center that provides paid undergraduate research positions and media visibility.
- Political Science & Pre-Law: Siena students benefit from internship pipelines to New York State government and law schools, with recognition across the Northeast.