Syracuse University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Real cost of attendance and what families actually pay
- Automatic merit awards (if available) and who qualifies
- Competitive scholarships like Coronat and Leadership Scholars
- Hidden gems in arts, public affairs, and departmental aid
- Honors program perks and how to stack awards smartly
Paying for a private university like Syracuse can feel daunting, especially for first-generation families. The good news: SU has a strong record of merit aid and competitive awards, especially in its flagship programs like Newhouse and Maxwell. This guide breaks down the real costs, automatic and competitive scholarships, and hidden opportunities you might not see on the admissions brochure. Don’t forget to also check the New York state aid guide for programs that can stack with Syracuse aid.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Syracuse University
| Category (2025–2026 est.) | On-Campus | Living with Parents |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $66,580 | $66,580 |
| Housing & Meals | $19,756 | $9,586 |
| Misc. Fees (incl. tech/cable) | $1,849 | $1,849 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,799 | $1,799 |
| Transportation | $817 | $2,382 |
| Personal/Misc. | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| Total (before aid) | $92,128 | $83,456 |
Assumptions: Full-time undergraduate, 12–18 credits per term. Housing & meals reflect a standard on-campus plan; “living with parents” uses Syracuse’s published commuter allowance.
That’s what families actually paid after scholarships and grants — no loans — according to federal data.
Most private universities, including Syracuse, use the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA to award university grants and scholarships. Read our step-by-step CSS profile guide. Tips: watch for priority filing dates, gather parent/noncustodial info if required, and align your FAFSA & CSS data.
Who qualifies for financial aid?
All U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can submit the FAFSA; Syracuse also requires the CSS Profile for institutional aid.
How much do most families actually pay?
The average net price is about $51K per year, but families with lower incomes often pay significantly less thanks to Syracuse’s need-based aid packages.
Is Syracuse need-blind?
Syracuse is not fully need-blind. Admission is primarily based on academics and holistic review, but ability to pay can play a role for some applicants.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Syracuse considers admitted first-year students for university and college-based merit awards automatically—no extra scholarship application. Some colleges (like A&S | Maxwell and Falk) also run selective “leadership” awards that are still automatic to be considered.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) + Stacking | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University Merit Scholarship (Admissions) | Varies; tuition-specific (exact amount appears on admission offer) | Holistic academic achievement (GPA, rigor, leadership; portfolio/audition where applicable). May combine with other tuition-specific awards but not beyond tuition; amounts remain constant across years. | No (automatic with admission) | Yes — keep ≥2.75 GPA & full-time (up to 8 semesters; 10 for approved 5-year) | Admits with strong academics and activities; test scores can help if submitted, but SU is test-optional. |
| A&S | Maxwell Leadership Scholars (automatic consideration) | 50% tuition (4 years) | Apply to any A&S | Maxwell major; exceptional leadership and academics. Tuition-specific; standard university stacking rules apply. | No (automatic; selective) | Yes — ≥2.75 GPA, remain in A&S | Maxwell | Top leadership profiles in A&S | Maxwell; early admit notification common for recipients. |
| Falk College Leadership Scholars (automatic consideration) | Annual tuition-specific award (renewable; amount not publicly listed) | Apply to a Falk College major by ~Jan 1; strong leadership & academics. Follows university stacking (tuition cannot be exceeded). | No (automatic; selective) | Yes — standard merit renewal rules | Leaders in health/sport/social sciences with strong records and timely application. |
Note: Syracuse does not publish fixed dollar tiers for university-wide automatic merit. Named “Leadership” awards above are selective but require no separate scholarship application. All university scholarships are tuition-specific.
Do I need a separate application?
No. University merit and the college leadership awards listed here are automatic with your admission review. Just apply by the posted admission deadlines (ED: Nov 15; RD: Jan 5). Some competitive programs appear later in the “🏆 Competitive” section.
Are test scores required — and does Syracuse superscore?
Syracuse is test-optional through Spring 2027. If you submit SAT/ACT, the university will superscore your results (they combine your highest section scores across test dates). You may self-report; official scores are required only if you enroll.
How do stacking and renewal work?
Syracuse scholarships are tuition-specific and can be combined with other tuition-specific awards (including outside scholarships) but not beyond full tuition. Most merit renews for up to 8 semesters if you maintain ≥2.75 GPA and full-time enrollment.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Syracuse’s most prestigious awards go beyond automatic merit. They are highly selective, often include interviews or extra steps, and can be worth half to full tuition. Some are automatic consideration once you apply to a specific college; others require a short, separate application. Deadlines are firm—most align with admission deadlines (Nov 15 for Early Decision, Jan 5 for Regular Decision).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility & What Makes it Competitive | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coronat Scholars Program | Full tuition + study abroad + research funding | College of Arts & Sciences applicants. Academic excellence, leadership, and service. Finalists invited to interview. | No — automatic consideration; interview if finalist | Yes — 8 semesters | Historically ~4.1+ GPA and ~1480 SAT or higher; exceptional service/leadership records. Highly selective. |
| Leadership Scholars Program | ≈50% tuition (varies by college) | Strong leadership and service; offered in A&S | Maxwell, Whitman, and iSchool. No extra app. | No — automatic consideration | Yes — 8 semesters (maintain ≥2.75 GPA) | Students with top GPAs and sustained leadership/service in school and community. |
| FIRST Robotics Scholarships | Up to $25,000/year (renewable) | Engineering & Computer Science applicants who participated in FIRST Robotics (FRC or FTC). U.S. citizen or permanent resident required. | Yes — submit FIRST form to Syracuse | Yes — maintain GPA/enrollment | Robotics competitors with strong STEM backgrounds who also meet Syracuse admission standards. |
| Bandier Scholarship | ≈Half tuition | Newhouse School, Bandier Program for Recording & Entertainment Industries. Extremely selective; application with essays, recs, interview. | Yes — separate Bandier application | Yes — maintain GPA/enrollment | One student per year; outstanding creative and academic profile in music/media industries. |
Disclaimer: Syracuse University does not publish strict GPA/test cutoffs for these competitive scholarships. Data above is drawn from official descriptions and past recipient profiles. Figures such as GPA 4.1+/SAT 1480+ are historical averages, not guarantees. All awards remain highly selective, holistic, and limited in number.
Do I need to apply separately?
Coronat and Leadership Scholars are automatic from your admission app; finalists are invited to interviews. FIRST and Bandier require short separate applications.
How competitive are these?
Extremely. Coronat is one of SU’s most prestigious full-ride awards, Leadership is limited to a small group per college, FIRST is capped to robotics participants, and Bandier goes to a single student annually.
Can they stack with other aid?
Yes. Most competitive scholarships are tuition-specific and can stack with outside awards and NYS programs, but cannot exceed full tuition. They can combine with need-based grants.
When are decisions made?
Most notifications come with or soon after your admission decision. For Bandier and FIRST, you’ll hear separately after your materials are reviewed.
⭐ College Specialties
Syracuse is more than basketball and snow. It’s a nationally recognized private R1 research university that blends professional schools with strong liberal arts. From communications to public policy, Orange students often step straight into high-profile industries thanks to Syracuse’s deep alumni network and hands-on programs.
Consistently ranked among the top 5 communications schools nationwide, Newhouse is a powerhouse for journalism, advertising, public relations, and digital media. Its alumni network includes anchors, executives, and media innovators across the country.
Sources: U.S. News rankings for journalism/communications; Syracuse Newhouse highlights.
- Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs — Ranked #1 in the U.S. for public affairs (U.S. News, 2024). Known as the nation’s first school of citizenship and public affairs.
- School of Information Studies (iSchool) — Consistently top 10 in information science and library science programs nationwide. Recognized for data analytics, cybersecurity, and library leadership.
- College of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) — Nationally ranked for design and drama; graduates perform on Broadway and lead major design firms.
- Whitman School of Management — Known for entrepreneurship and supply chain management; consistently ranked among the best undergraduate business schools (Bloomberg Businessweek, Poets&Quants).
- Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics — Home to one of the first academic programs in sport management, often ranked top 10 in the U.S. for sport industry education.
🎖️ Honors College
The Renée Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse is designed for students who want to push themselves beyond the standard curriculum. Admission is by separate application after you apply to SU, with deadlines aligned to admission rounds (ED: Nov 15, RD: Jan 5). The program is selective, but it provides unmatched opportunities for research, mentorship, and leadership development.
High school GPA: ≈3.8+ (rigorous courses expected)
SAT/ACT: 1350+ SAT or 29+ ACT*
Strong leadership, writing, and service background.
*Estimates based on past cohorts; Syracuse does not publish strict cutoffs.
- Priority course registration and smaller Honors-only seminars
- Dedicated Honors housing options
- Faculty-mentored research with funding for projects and study abroad
- Special recognition at graduation, including Honors distinction on the diploma
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility & What Makes it Competitive | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renée Crown Honors Scholarship | Partial tuition (varies by cohort) | Admitted Honors students; strong GPA, leadership, and creative or research potential | Yes — included with Honors app | Yes — maintain ≥3.2 GPA and full-time | Honors admits with strong academic and research interests |
Notes: Syracuse does not publish the number of Honors scholarships awarded each year, but sources indicate that a limited cohort (≈30–40) receives scholarships or enhanced benefits annually. Award amounts are competitive and vary by donor funding.
Is Honors admission automatic?
No. You must submit a separate Honors application after applying to Syracuse. Admission is competitive, with priority given to early applicants.
Does Honors add time to a degree?
No. Honors requirements (seminars, capstone project) are designed to fit within a 4-year graduation plan.
Are there Honors-only scholarships?
Yes. In addition to program perks, Honors students may be eligible for Renée Crown Honors Scholarships, which vary in amount and availability each year.
Can Honors stack with other scholarships?
Yes. Honors scholarships can combine with university merit, need-based aid, and external awards, though they are tuition-specific and cannot exceed full tuition.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Syracuse may be best known for its orange spirit and snowy winters, but what truly matters for families is how the university supports its students financially. Between automatic merit awards, prestigious scholarships like Coronat and Leadership, and hidden gems such as Say Yes and Haudenosaunee Promise, there are more ways to bring the cost within reach than many families realize. Add in the strong alumni network and career-ready programs, and Syracuse can offer both opportunity and value for the right student.
✅ Last updated: August 27, 2025