The information provided on this page applies to students entering Bluffton in the fall or spring semesters of 2008-09.
Church-College Scholarship
The Church-College Scholarship matches scholarship money provided by congregations to students attending Bluffton. Bluffton University will match the first $1,000 dollar for dollar. Beyond that amount, Bluffton will match $1 for every $4 from the congregation, up to full tuition. More info and registration form...
Bluffton Incentive Scholarship
The Incentive Scholarship is a grant recognizing the potential each recipient has to do well at Bluffton University. It is automatically awarded to any first-time, first-year student who meets the following requirements. Minimum requirements include a 2.8 high school GPA and a minimum ACT composite score of 21 or 970 SAT. Recipients receive $5000 the first year. In order to maintain the Incentive Scholarship the recipient must maintain a minimum cumulative Bluffton GPA of 2.5 at the end of each year. A recipient achieving at least a 3.0 cumulative Bluffton GPA at the end of each year will earn an additional $500 (e.g., $5500 sophomore, $6000 junior, $6500 senior).
This scholarship is not compatible with the Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program or Leadership/Service Grant. If the recipient becomes eligible for Tuition Equalization prior to enrollment, it will replace the Bluffton Incentive Scholarship.
Leadership/Service Grant
The Leadership/Service Grant is awarded annually to students who show promise to positively contribute to Bluffton University in the areas of leadership and service. The award is for $4500. Service is one of the four enduring values of Bluffton. Current students practice service to others through leadership roles in campus organizations and activities. This award is given to students to encourage them to explore leadership and service skills while attending Bluffton. All new students, freshman and transfer, who are not receiving other university-funded scholarships are eligible for leadership/service grant consideration. Award decisions are made at the time of admission. There is no additional application procedure for this award.
This grant is not compatible with the Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program, Bluffton Incentive Scholarship, or Transfer and Transfer Honors Scholarships. If the recipient becomes eligible for any of these scholarships prior to enrollment, these will replace the Leadership/Service Grant.
Continuation of this grant requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 at the end of the first year, 2.3 at the end of the sophomore year and 2.5 at the end of the junior year.
Learn and Earn work program
Bluffton's Learn and Earn Program was created to provide work opportunities for our students. Most new students will receive work assignments if they choose to work. School year earnings will range from $1,750-$2,240 for eight to ten hours of work each week. Click for more information on the Learn and Earn Program, including a description of our merit-based pay scale.
Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program
The Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program guarantees that qualified entering first-time, first-year students will receive non-repayable aid equal to or greater than the difference between tuition at Bluffton University and the average tuition at select four-year public institutions in Ohio. To qualify you must have at least a 23 ACT or 1050 SAT, and either a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) or rank in the top 25 percent of your graduating class. Click for more information on the Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program.
Academic Honors Scholarship
The Academic Honors Scholarship program is an enhanced Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program for superior students. Recipients receive a $2,000 additional scholarship beyond the traditional Tuition Equalization guarantee. Minimum requirements include a 3.75 GPA, and 27 ACT or 1220 SAT.
Recipients who were accepted for admission at Bluffton University by Jan. 18, 2008, were also eligible to compete in the Presidential Scholarship Competition on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Two winners from this competition will each receive a full-tuition renewable scholarship.
Academic Distinction Scholarship
The Academic Distinction Scholarship program is an enhanced Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program for superior students. Recipients receive a $1,000 additional scholarship beyond the traditional Tuition Equalization guarantee. Minimum requirements include a 3.5 GPA, and 25 ACT or 1140 SAT.
Recipients who were accepted for admission at Bluffton University by Jan. 18, 2008, were also eligible to compete in the Presidential Scholarship Competition on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Two winners from this competition will each receive a full-tuition renewable scholarship.
Community Enrichment Scholarship Program
Community Enrichment is part of our commitment to diversity on campus. Each year 10 new students from backgrounds that have been under-represented at Bluffton in previous years receive at least $3,000 in grant aid, up to full tuition based on need. If the grant minimum of $3000 is met from other sources, a Community Enrichment Scholarship of $500 will be awarded. Applications are available from the Office of Admissions at 800-488-3257, admissions@bluffton.edu or select this application form to print and return. Also, call or email for additional information.
Continuation of this grant requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 at the end of the first year, 2.3 at the end of the sophomore year and 2.5 at the end of the junior year. The FAFSA must be filed to be considered for more than the minimum grant.
Out-of-State Choice Grant
This grant is awarded to help off-set travel costs for new students and transfers who are coming to Bluffton from a state other than Ohio. The grant is equivalent to the value of the Ohio Student Choice Grant which is estimated at $660 for new students beginning in 2008-2009. Once awarded, the grant amount is fixed for four years of full-time study and is automatically renewed.
Art and Music Scholarships
Students interested in Art or Music as a major may wish to compete for a scholarship awarded by the Bluffton University faculty from these two departments. Awards are added to other scholarships the student receives from Bluffton University (not to exceed tuition). Beginning with new students in 2008-2009, both the art and music scholarships are valued at $1,000 per year. Contact your Bluffton University admissions counselor for more information.
Minister/Missionary Family Grant
A grant of $1,000 will be awarded to a student who is: 1) a dependent child or spouse of a minister/missionary in active service; and 2) pursuing a degree program at Bluffton University. Minister is usually defined as someone who is currently responsible for a congregation and whose principal income is provided by the church; missionary is usually defined as someone currently in foreign service whose primary source of income or support comes from a recognized mission board or agency. A minimum of three years service or commitment to service is required. Minister/missionary service must be verified annually for the grant to be renewed.
Transfer Honors Scholarship*
Transfer students with a 3.5 cumulative GPA with at least 23 quarter hours or 15 semester hours and a minimum 23 ACT will receive a scholarship of $6,000.
*Also called the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honors Scholarship.
Transfer Scholarship*
Transfer students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA with at least 23 quarter hours or 15 semester hours will receive a scholarship of $5,000.
*Also called the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship.
Bluffton Opportunity Grant
The Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant awarded by Bluffton University to meet demonstrated need (must file the FAFSA). The grant is calculated based on the direct cost at Bluffton University, minus the Family Contribution and after all other sources of state, federal and Bluffton University aid are awarded, including a campus job and student loans. In addition, this grant assumes the student will contribute a portion of summer earnings to their direct cost. If need is determined as outlined above, the award amount ranges from a minimum of $500 up to $13,200.
Renewal policy for Bluffton University scholarships/grants
Enrolled students, receiving Bluffton University scholarships and grants that have a GPA requirement for renewal, are reminded in writing each January regarding GPA requirements for their scholarship. A student who loses her/his scholarship for an upcoming academic year because of falling below a GPA requirement can regain the scholarship if at the end of the next academic year (or the next two semesters of full-time study) the student has attained the required GPA (at the student's new grade level).
Note: Bluffton University grants and scholarships are awarded for a maximum of four academic years or the pro-rated equivalent for part-time students. Bluffton University grants/scholarships, when combined with all other grants/scholarships, will not be awarded above the total cost of attendance.
Deadlines: We work very hard to make Bluffton University accessible to students from all economic backgrounds, however, funds are limited. To ensure maximum eligibility of financial aid from all sources, students should be aware of application deadlines established by Bluffton University and by off-campus sources of aid including state and federal agencies. These deadlines are announced about one year before the beginning of the academic year. Because of limited resources, the State of Ohio maintains an October 1 deadline for Ohio need-based aid (the Ohio Instructional Grant and the Ohio College Opportunity Grant). Bluffton University maintains a FAFSA priority deadline of May 1 for both new and returning students. This means that any student filing the FAFSA after May 1 could be denied need-based funds administered by Bluffton University if funds have been depleted. This May 1 priority deadline is in effect for federal campus-based programs (federal Perkins loans, federal SEOG grants and federal work-study) and for Bluffton University need-based grants. The final FAFSA deadline for these Bluffton administered programs is October 1 of the current academic year. These funds will not be awarded after this date.
