Tulane University Scholarships 2025–2026 | Costs & Aid

Tulane University Scholarships (2025–2026)

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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

Paying for a private school like Tulane can feel overwhelming at first glance, especially for families who are the first to go through the process. This guide breaks down the real costs, scholarships, and programs in plain English so you’ll know what Tulane might actually cost your student. Don’t forget to also check Louisiana’s state aid options alongside the scholarships listed here.


💰 Cost of Attendance at Tulane University

Expense Cost (Annual)
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $71,998
Housing (Standard Double) $11,190
Meal Plan (minimum required) $8,440
Books & Supplies $700
Travel & Personal Variable
Total (before aid) $92,328+

Average Net Price (What families actually paid after grants/scholarships — no loans):

$50,631 for full-time, first-time undergraduates in 2022–2023 (latest federal year reported).

  • This is the typical amount after Tulane and government grants/scholarships are applied — it’s lower than the sticker price.
  • Actual net price varies by family income/assets and academic profile. For a personalized estimate, try Tulane’s Net Price Calculator.
  • Some scholarships and need-based aid consider the CSS Profile (in addition to the FAFSA).

Source: Federal IPEDS/NCES average net price (2022–2023). Figures update annually.

Reciprocity & Regional Programs: As a private university, Tulane does not participate in WUE, MSEP, or state reciprocity programs. Louisiana residents may still combine state grants like TOPS with Tulane aid, but there is no “out-of-state tuition match.”

Who qualifies for lower tuition at Tulane?
Everyone pays the same tuition since Tulane is a private university. Louisiana residents may add state aid on top, but out-of-state students do not pay more.

How much do most families actually pay?
The average family paid well under the $92k sticker price once scholarships and need-based aid were factored in. This is captured in the federal net price figure above.

Is applying for aid automatic?
No — to be considered for need-based aid and some competitive scholarships, you must file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. We’ve got a plain-English guide to the CSS Profile here.


✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Tulane automatically considers every applicant for partial merit scholarships when they apply through the Common App. Awards can be substantial, but the exact amount depends on GPA, test scores (if submitted), rigor, and overall strength of the application.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Tulane automatically considers every applicant for partial merit scholarships when they apply through the Common App. Awards can be substantial, but the exact amount depends on GPA, test scores (if submitted), rigor, and overall strength of the application.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Admission-Based Merit Scholarship Up to $32,000/year All applicants considered with Common App; factors include GPA, rigor, test scores (optional), and overall profile. No Yes — typically 4 years; must maintain satisfactory GPA and credit load. Students with strong grades (often A– average or better), challenging coursework, and a well-rounded application. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published.

Note: GPA/test ranges above are holistic. Tulane does not publish fixed automatic-merit grids, so awards vary by applicant profile.

Also worth noting: Tulane sponsors National Merit Scholarships. Finalists who name Tulane as their first-choice school receive at least $2,000/year, which can be combined with other Tulane merit awards.

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No — all students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. The Common App plus required financial aid forms (FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile) are all you need.

Does Tulane superscore test results?
Yes. Tulane will consider your best subscores across ACT or SAT test dates when you choose to submit them.

Can these stack with other aid?
Partial merit usually stacks with need-based aid, and National Merit awards can be added on top. But flagship-level scholarships (like Stamps or Dean’s Honor) replace other tuition awards.


Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Admission-Based Merit Scholarship Up to $32,000/year All applicants considered with Common App; factors include GPA, rigor, test scores (optional), and overall profile. No Yes — typically 4 years; must maintain satisfactory GPA and credit load. Students with strong grades (often A– average or better), challenging coursework, and a well-rounded application. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published.

Note: GPA/test ranges above are holistic. Tulane does not publish fixed automatic-merit grids, so awards vary by applicant profile.

Also worth noting: Tulane is a Stamps Scholarship partner. While Stamps itself is highly competitive and not automatic, all applicants are considered for partial admission-based merit.

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No — all students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. The Common App plus required financial aid forms (FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile) are all you need.

Does Tulane superscore test results?
Yes. Tulane will consider your best subscores across ACT or SAT test dates when you choose to submit them.

Can these stack with other aid?
Partial merit usually stacks with need-based aid but may not stack with full-tuition or full-ride awards (like Stamps or Dean’s Honor). Always check the award letter for stacking rules.


🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships

These are Tulane’s most competitive, flagship-level scholarships. They go well beyond the automatic merit awards and typically cover full tuition or even the full cost of attendance. Only a small number of students are selected each year, and most are invited to submit extra materials or participate in interviews.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Stamps Scholarship Full cost of attendance + enrichment fund All applicants considered; semifinalists invited to submit supplements; ~5 awards each year No (semifinalists submit extra materials via Green Wave Portal) Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained National-caliber students with exceptional academics, leadership, and service; finalists often interview
Dean’s Honor Scholarship (DHS) Full tuition Exceptional academics + leadership; all applicants considered, optional creative supplement No (optional supplement can strengthen candidacy) Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained Students with top GPAs (often 3.7+ unweighted*) and strong rigor; many have 33+ ACT / 1500+ SAT*
Community Service Fellowship Cohort program; some fellows elevated to full-tuition Sotomayor Public Service Scholarship Applicants with sustained, high-impact service and leadership Yes — service résumé via Green Wave Portal Yes — must remain active in service programming Students with extensive service leadership and clear community impact
Louisiana Excellence Award Full tuition (Louisiana residents) Louisiana high school graduates with strong academics No Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained Top Louisiana applicants with outstanding records

*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipient profiles; Tulane does not publish fixed cutoffs.

Note: Tulane is an official Stamps Scholarship partner and a QuestBridge National College Match partner. QuestBridge Finalists matched with Tulane receive a full cost-of-attendance package — effectively a full-ride.

What makes these “flagship” scholarships different?
They are highly competitive and usually cover full tuition or the full cost of attendance. Unlike automatic awards, they often require interviews, service résumés, or creative supplements.

How many students win?
Very few. For example, only about five Stamps Scholars are named each year, while a small group earn the Dean’s Honor Scholarship, Community Service Fellowship, or Louisiana Excellence Award.

Do I need to submit test scores?
No, Tulane is test-optional. But historically, many flagship winners had top ACT/SAT scores alongside high GPAs and rigorous coursework.

Do these replace other scholarships?
Yes. Flagship awards like Stamps, DHS, or a QuestBridge Match generally replace partial merit. They do not stack with other full-tuition awards.


💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These aren’t the headline “flagship” awards, but they can meaningfully reduce costs — especially when combined with admission-based merit or need-based aid.

Scholarship / Program Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
Cowen Scholars Program Varies (leadership scholarship + cohort programming) Students who show leadership, resilience, and service aligned with Scott Cowen’s values Yes — separate application/nomination required Yes — as long as academic and program participation standards are met Students with strong service records, leadership experience, and community engagement
Louisiana Promise (No Loan Assistance Scholarship) Covers full demonstrated need without loans Louisiana residents graduating from a LA high school; family AGI under $100,000 No — considered automatically with admission and FAFSA/CSS Yes — for 4 years, if income criteria remain met and FAFSA filed each year Louisiana families with incomes below $100k who submit required aid forms
National Merit Scholarship (Tulane Sponsor Award) At least $2,000/year National Merit Finalists who name Tulane as their first-choice school No — awarded automatically by Tulane once Finalist designation is confirmed Yes — 4 years Finalists recognized by NMSC; stacks on top of other Tulane merit aid
Tulane University Marching Band Award Typically $1,000–$5,000/year Incoming freshmen selected by audition to join the Tulane Marching Band Yes — audition required Yes — renewable with continued participation in the band Students with strong musical skills who commit to ongoing band membership
Artistic / Portfolio Scholarships ~$1,000–$10,000/year Architecture, studio art, creative and performing arts majors who submit portfolios/auditions Yes — audition or portfolio submission Yes — typically with continued participation or standing in the program Students with faculty-reviewed artistic or performance talent
Army ROTC Scholarship (+ Tulane R&B support) Covers tuition + stipend + books; local Tulane/Loyola/Dillard consortium covers room & board Selected Army ROTC cadets through national board Yes — ROTC national application Yes — with continued academic and fitness standards Cadets who commit to commissioning and meet ROTC standards
Navy ROTC + Tulane Cooperative R&B Scholarship NROTC covers full tuition, fees, stipend, books; Tulane adds free room & board (~$14,000/year value) Selected Navy/Marine Option NROTC midshipmen who affiliate with Tulane Yes — NROTC national application Yes — with continued academic and service standards Midshipmen committed to commissioning with strong academics and fitness

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test ranges are based on Tulane’s published details where available. Where no exact figure was provided (e.g., Cowen Scholars), ranges or descriptions reflect available official information and may vary year to year. Always confirm with Tulane’s Financial Aid or program office.

  • Departmental scholarships (e.g., School of Science and Engineering endowed awards — amounts vary)
  • Athletic scholarships (NCAA Division I, awarded by Tulane Athletics)
  • Support programs like TU Thrive (resources for first-gen and limited-income students, not a direct scholarship)

Can ROTC benefits stack with Tulane scholarships?
Yes. ROTC tuition scholarships typically pair with Tulane’s separate room-and-board support for ROTC cadets/midshipmen. Always confirm the stacking details in your award terms.

How do I apply for ROTC funding?
Apply through the respective national ROTC scholarship portal (Navy/Marine or Army). If selected, you’ll affiliate with the Tulane unit and receive local guidance on benefits and housing/meal support.

Do artistic awards stack with admission-based merit?
Often, yes. Many talent awards can sit on top of partial admission-based merit; amounts and renewal rules vary by department, so read the offer letter carefully.

Is there a QuestBridge option at Tulane?
Yes. Tulane is a QuestBridge National College Match partner. Finalists who match to Tulane receive a full cost-of-attendance aid package (effectively a full-ride).


⭐ College Specialty

Tulane is more than just a well-regarded private university in New Orleans — it’s a nationally recognized R1 research institution and one of the few schools where community service is built into the core curriculum. Families looking for standout academic opportunities will find Tulane’s programs consistently ranked among the best in the country, especially in health sciences and public service.

Signature Strength: Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is the oldest in the United States and regularly ranked among the top public health schools nationally. It is especially known for global health and disaster response research.

  • Law School: Tulane Law is consistently recognized as a top program in environmental law and maritime/admiralty law (U.S. News, 2024).
  • Biomedical Engineering: Tulane’s program is nationally noted for research opportunities connected to its School of Medicine and New Orleans’ health district.
  • Environmental Studies & Coastal Research: Leveraging Louisiana’s unique ecosystem, Tulane has national recognition for coastal restoration and environmental science research.
  • Business: The Freeman School of Business is widely respected in the South for entrepreneurship and energy-related programs.

🎖️ Honors College

Tulane doesn’t have a standalone Honors College, but it does offer the First-Year Honors Scholars Program through Newcomb-Tulane College. This program is designed for students who show high academic promise and curiosity. It’s invite-only at the time of admission, though admitted Honors Scholars can later opt into the Honors Scholar Society for a deeper cohort experience.

What a Typical Tulane Honors Student Looks Like:
Often carries a rigorous high school curriculum, strong leadership or service experience, and a GPA in the A– range or higher. Many successful candidates also submit top test scores (ACT 33+ / SAT 1500+) if they choose to send scores, though Tulane remains test-optional.

Perks for Honors Scholars:

  • Two linked fall courses (4.5 credits) with other Honors Scholars
  • Small-group seminars and faculty mentoring
  • Priority access to intellectual and cultural events across New Orleans
  • Connection to top research and fellowship opportunities later in undergrad

Is admission automatic?
No. Honors is by invitation at the time of admission; selected students are notified in their acceptance packet.

Does Honors add time to a degree?
No — the program is built into the normal course load. The two Honors-linked courses count toward the standard 15–16 credit first-year schedule.

Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors?
Not directly. Most top scholarship winners (Stamps, DHS, etc.) are also in Honors, but the Honors designation itself does not come with extra funding.

When do students apply or opt in?
Admitted Honors Scholars can later apply to the Honors Scholar Society (April 1–15) for more formalized cohort programming.


Final Thoughts

For families considering Tulane, the sticker price can look intimidating — but the reality is much more nuanced. Between automatic merit, flagship full-tuition awards, hidden gems like ROTC and artistic scholarships, and programs like Louisiana Promise, there are real ways to bring the cost down. Tulane’s strengths in public health, research, and service also mean that students graduate with more than just a degree: they leave with a resume full of experiences that matter. If your student is a strong fit academically and personally, Tulane can be both an affordable and transformative choice.

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✅ Last updated: September 24, 2025

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