Scholarships and grants
We believe nothing should ever stand in the way of the person you were meant to become. All Bluffton students receive one or more of the following Bluffton scholarships and grants.
For students entering Bluffton fall 2025
Scholarship competitions
Presidential Scholarship Competition
Students with a 3.5 GPA (or higher) and a 24 ACT/1160 SAT (or higher) automatically
qualify to participate in the annual Presidential Scholarship Competition on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. You may also qualify for participation with a 3.75 GPA with
no test scores required. Students attending these events compete for a full-tuition
Presidential scholarship.
This scholarship is renewable all four years, if the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA, making it valued at more than $142,000 over four years. >>> more information
Academic scholarships and grants
First-year students are eligible to receive one of the following Academic Scholarships/Grant:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship
This prestigious $22,000 award (valued at $88,000 for four years) is given to high-achieving students who have distinguished academic records and accomplishments, based on GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA. - Academic Honors with Distinction Scholarship
This $20,000 annual scholarship (valued at $80,000 for four years) is awarded to new students with high academic standing who have proven themselves in the classroom and beyond. It is awarded based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 3.0 collegiate GPA. - Trustees Scholarship
This $18,000 annual scholarship (valued at $72,000 for four years) is named in honor of Bluffton University's trustees who actively invest their time and resources into Bluffton students. Awarded to strong students based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 2.5 collegiate GPA. - Centennial Scholarship
This $16,000 annual scholarship (valued at $64,000 for four years) is named in recognition of the 100+ years of education that Bluffton University has provided students in preparing them to impact the global community. Awarded to new students based on high school GPA at the time of admittance. This scholarship is renewable all four years if student maintains a cumulative 2.3 collegiate GPA. - Founders Grant
A $14,000 award (valued at $56,000 for four years) is given to new students who seek to continue discovering their academic potential.
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
- Lehman-Huber-Zehrbach Nursing Scholarship
A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to three nursing majors. Apply for admission and visit campus by Dec. 1 to be eligible.
More about the Lehman-Huber-Zehrbach Nursing Scholarship - Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship
A $4,000 scholarship (valued at $16,000 for four years) is awarded to two top students in mathematics, engineering, computer science, information technology, physics, biology, chemistry or accounting. Recipients must be an Ohio resident.
More about the Knowlton Memorial Scholarship - Choose Ohio First Grant
Up to four renewable, stackable grants of $2,475 are awarded to eligible first-year and transfer students. Eligible students are Ohio residents and a female or ethnic minority in STEM, or male in nursing. Apply for admission and visit campus by Dec. 1 to be eligible.
More about Choose Ohio First Grant - Natural & Applied Sciences (NAS) Scholarship
Mathematics, mathematics with AYA licensure, nutrition and dietetics, environmental science, biology, chemistry, pre-medicine, medical lab sciences, mathematics, applied engineering science, pre-engineering, pre-physical therapy and physics majors with a minimum 26 ACT/1240 SAT may apply for $3,000 departmental scholarships which are renewable for four years.
More about the Natural & Applied Sciences Scholarship - Art Major Scholarship
A $2,000 scholarship is awarded to new Bluffton students whose art portfolios are highly rated by Bluffton University art faculty. Apply online by May 15. Portfolios must be submitted by May 15, for consideration.
More about the Art Major Scholarship
Additional opportunities
- Mennonite Student Grant
A $5,000 award (valued at $20,000 for four years) for new students who are members of any Mennonite church congregation. - Alumni Grant
A $1,000 award is given to students whose parents, grandparents or siblings are part of Bluffton University's 16,000+ alumni. You must disclose your alumni legacy status on your application or by notifying your admissions counselor. Awards will be added to aid offers after the relationship is confirmed with the alumni office. - Out-of-State Grant
A $1,000 award (valued at $4,000 for four years) for new, out-of-state students to help off-set travel costs. - Bluffton Award
The Bluffton Award is offered to select residential students who file the FAFSA but who do not qualify for need-based grants. The award amount varies and is automatically renewable for three additional years. - Church Matching Grant
Matches grants from a Christian church to a student who is a member of their congregation. The program must comply with IRS regulations. Church matching grant information > - Learn and Earn program
Students may work in a campus job to help finance their college education. Pay varies based on hours worked. Learn and Earn >
- Bluffton Opportunity Grant
Awarded to students based on completion of the FAFSA form. This award can be added to the above awards. This grant is awarded based on need as determined by the FAFSA. Amounts vary.
Additional aid
Outside scholarships, grants or other forms of assistance not listed on the Bluffton University financial aid offer (e.g., a PTA scholarship) must be reported immediately to the financial aid office to satisfy compliance issues. A re-evaluation and revision of the student’s financial aid offer will be made to reflect the additional resources to avoid an over-award.