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 2027
Scholarship competitions
Presidential Scholarship Competition
Students may qualify for participation in the annual Presidential Scholarship Competition on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027, in one of two ways:
- A 3.3+ GPA with a 24+ ACT (or 1180 SAT)
OR
- A 3.75+ GPA, test optional
Qualified students will 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/Grants:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship - $24,000
- Academic Honors with Distinction Scholarship - $22,000
- Trustees Scholarship - $20,000
- Centennial Scholarship - $18,000
- Founders Grant - $16,000
Visit award
Visit campus. Get $1,000.
Your college search is more than a checklist. It should be about finding the place where you belong. Visit Bluffton University by Dec. 15, and you’ll receive a $1,000 annual award toward your Bluffton education.
Walk our tree-lined campus. Meet the professors who will know your name. Talk with current students. Explore your future major. Experience the community that makes Bluffton feel like home.
Come see what it means to be a Beaver—and get $1,000 closer to becoming one.
Am I eligible?
- First-time freshmen or transfer students entering in Fall 2027 or Fall 2028.
- Fall 2027 students must complete an on-campus visit by Dec. 15, 2026. Fall 2028 students must complete an on-campus visit by Dec. 15, 2027. Students who come to camps, workshops, game days, etc., may not be eligible. Check with your admissions counselor ahead of time!
- Visit must be registered with admissions prior to visit date – Sign up here: www.bluffton.edu/visit
- From far away? You can use Bluffton’s Fly/Drive program to visit campus!
Already visited? Don't worry! Your previous visit could already qualify. Contact your admissions counselor to double check. While there's a limit of one scholarship per applicant, you're welcome to visit as many times as you like!
Be a Beaver Program*
Students who qualify for the Be A Beaver Program are guaranteed to have tuition covered from a combination of federal, state and Bluffton University aid. This program is renewable for four years if students maintain academic and financial aid requirements.
To qualify for the Be A Beaver Program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Apply and be accepted as a first-time freshman
- File the FAFSA and receive an SAI of 2000 or less
- Have a 3.1 cumulative high school GPA
- Maintain full-time enrollment until graduation
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
Seven renewable grants of at least $1500 will be awarded to eligible first-year and transfer students who are Ohio residents, majoring in specific STEM or health science majors and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Apply for admission and visit campus by Feb. 1 to be eligible.
More about Choose Ohio First Grant - Natural & Applied Sciences (NAS) Scholarship
Biology, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, electrical engineering, environmental science, food and nutrition–business, food and nutrition–wellness, mathematics, mathematics with AYA licensure, medical laboratory science, nutrition and dietetics, physics, pre-chiropractic, pre-dentistry, pre-engineering, pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy and pre-podiatry major 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 Dec. 1. Portfolios must be submitted by Jan. 1 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 17,000+ 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. - County Connect Grant*
A $1,000 award (valued at $4,000 for four years) for students who reside or attend high school in Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties in Ohio.
Eligibility for the County Connect Grant is based on the primary student address provided on your application or of your high school. - 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 >
Need-based support
- 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.
*Applies for new first-time freshmen entering fall 2026
