Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program

The Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program is designed to make a Bluffton University education more affordable for academically talented students. Scholarship recipients are guaranteed that 100 percent of their demonstrated need, up to direct cost, will be met from all available resources including Bluffton University funds, state and federal grants, and student loans.

Details

The amount of the scholarship guarantee will be the difference between tuition at Bluffton University and the average tuition at selected four-year public institutions in Ohio during the previous academic year. Reflecting the difference between these tuition rates, the scholarship guarantee for qualified students entering in school year 2008-09 is $11,360 in non-repayable aid from Bluffton University including the Ohio Student Choice grant and a campus job.

This dollar amount is fixed and will be guaranteed for a maximum of four years of full-time study as long as scholarship requirements are met. It is important to note that church grants, the college match, and outside grants and scholarships are additional. State and federal need-based grants will also be added to the initial guarantee (not to exceed tuition).

*These figures reflect 2007-08 tuition only. Room, board, and fees are additional.

Examples Student A
(with financial need)		 Student B
(no financial need)
Bluffton University tuition $21,380* $21,380*
               
Financial aid
Tuition Equalization Scholarship $8,950 $8,950
** Ohio Student Choice Grant 660 660
Student job (earning potential) 1,750 1,750
Tuition Equalization Scholarship guarantee 11,360 11,360
               
Possible additional grants
Federal Pell Grant $2,960 -
Lions  Club - $1,500
PTA scholarship - 1,250
Ohio College Opportunity Grant 2,202 -
Bluffton University Opportunity Grant 6,500 -
Riverside Church Grant - 3,000
Bluffton University Church Matching Grant - 1,500
Total non-repayable aid $23,022 $18,610

**Non-Ohio residents will receive the Bluffton Out-of-State Grant of equal amount.

Qualifications

To qualify, students must:

  • meet regular admission requirements
  • achieve a minimum ACT composite of 23 or a minimum SAT composite of 1050***
  • rank in the top 25 percent of their class or achieve a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • be a residential student
  • register as a full-time student
  • enroll as a first-time first-year student

   ***critical reading and math combined score

Note: Required test scores subject to change by ACT or The College Board

Continuation

To continue in the program and be guaranteed $11,360 in non-repayable aid and 100 percent of demonstrated need met, each year, students must:

  • maintain full-time residential status
  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher at the end of each academic year