Grants and Scholarships

Your education is a significant investment that provides a lifetime worth of return.

While the cost of higher education may feel out of reach for many students and their families, we are committed to providing an exceptional education that is accessible, affordable and personalized to give you every opportunity to succeed and excel, at Dickinson and beyond. That commitment includes access to our talented faculty, a nationally recognized global education, career-enhancing experiential opportunities like internships and research, and so much more.

Need-Based Aid

Regardless of your family’s financial circumstances, we meet 100% of your demonstrated need for all four years on campus through a combination of need-based grants, student employment and loans. Your need is calculated by reviewing your family’s income and assets, which your family provides when you apply for financial aid. Both U.S. and international students are eligible for need-based aid.

The total need-based package for undergraduate grant recipients averaged $55,968 (grants, loans and work study) in 2023-24.
63% of students received need-based grants.
The average need-based grant of $50,342 covered 80% of tuition in 2023-24.

Our financial-aid counselors will work with you every step of the way to ensure you have the information, resources and support you need to plan and manage your investment in Dickinson.

Estimate Your Financial Aid

How to Apply for Aid

Academic Merit Scholarships

In addition to strong need-based aid, Dickinson provides academic scholarships and merit awards ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 per year. 

Scholarships and merit awards are designed to recognize exemplary academic performance and contribution to the college without regard to financial need. Scholarships are awarded for eight semesters of study, in residence at Dickinson or in a Dickinson study-abroad program, and are maintained through continued full-time enrollment and the maintenance of good academic standing (2.0 GPA).

The admissions committee will make determinations on an individualized basis. No additional application materials are required* to be considered for these merit scholarships—this underscores the importance of submitting the highest-quality and best-prepared application possible.

*Separate applications are required for the Presidential Scholarship and Reynolds Leadership Scholarship. Details are below.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Presidential Scholarship is worth $180,000 ($45,000 per year) toward tuition for eight semesters of full-time study at the college (including off-campus study in a Dickinson program or partner program). It is Dickinson’s highest recognition for academic achievement and leadership. Recipients are top students in a challenging high-school curriculum. Presidential Scholars participate in special programming each semester with President John E. Jones '77, P'11. A separate application is required.

Learn More & Apply

Special Opportunities

ARMY ROTC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Army ROTC Scholarship is a three- or four-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded annually to a couple of thousand students across the country who show interest in becoming an officer in the U.S. Army. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding academic performance, athletic ability, leadership potential and a desire to be a physically fit, critical-thinking problem solver. In addition, the scholarship pays the student $600 per semester for books and a $420 per-month stipend. At Dickinson, this scholarship also comes with an additional $5,000 per semester toward housing and food. Learn more.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Recognizing that the path to a four-year degree can be blazed not only from high school, Dickinson has established a Community College Partnership Program that goes well beyond the passive articulation agreements found between most community and four-year colleges. Dickinson’s collaboration allows students to reduce total educational expenses by attending one of our region’s five top community colleges during their first two years. While there, they participate in an honors program and receive academic advising from Dickinson staff. Learn more.

CURLEY SCHOLARSHIP (for students in PA’s Lycoming, Lehigh or Northampton counties)

Two half-tuition scholarships awarded annually.

Established in 1993, these scholarships are awarded to students who reside or attend school in Lycoming, Lehigh and Northampton counties). Learn more.

DICKINSON-CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP

The Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded annually to a Cumberland County resident who wishes to make a positive impact in the community. Learn more.

DICKINSON-SANDIA SCHOLARSHIP (for students in Southern California, Arizona or New Mexico)

Two full-tuition scholarships

The Sandia Foundation was established by Hugh B. Woodward, class of 1908, and Helen Kisner Woodward, class of 1908. This scholarship is awarded to students who reside or attend school in the Southwest (Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico) who have demonstrated community-service or community-leadership experience. Learn more.

MUSIC SCHOLARS AWARD

The Music Scholars Award covers the yearly cost of private music studio lessons (up to $1,500 annually over four years). Award recipients are not required to major in music, but they must participate fully in a faculty-led music department ensemble. Learn more.

REYNOLDS LEADERSHIP SCHOLAR PROGRAM ($50,000/year for students in Maryland)

The Reynolds Leadership Scholar Program awards recipients with $200,000 toward tuition for eight semesters of full-time study at the college (including off-campus study in a Dickinson program or partner program). Recipients are top Maryland residents in a challenging high-school curriculum who have the potential to be leaders at Dickinson, in their communities and around the world. The scholarship is funded by George and Jennifer Ward Reynolds ’77. A separate application is required. Learn more.

THE INGE PAUL AND JOHN R. STAFFORD SCHOLARSHIP FOR BIOINFORMATICS

The Inge Paul and John R. Stafford Scholarship for Bioinformatics funds the Provost Scholarship ($30,000 per year) for a superior student in the life sciences and provides an additional $3,000 in total research support to be used any time during the scholar’s four years at Dickinson. Stafford scholars are advised by a faculty mentor and have multiple research opportunities. We expect that this experience will prepare Stafford scholars to be competitive for prestigious postgraduate awards, such as the Fulbright and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowships and, ultimately, a career in research or medicine. Recipients meet Provost Scholarship requirements and demonstrate a strong interest and intention to major in the life sciences.

OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS

Any student receiving financial aid who also receives scholarships, loans, tuition remission or support from a source other than the college must report the additional aid to the Dickinson Financial Aid Office. Such assistance can affect the student's eligibility for assistance from federal and institutional resources. The total amount of aid received by the student cannot exceed need as computed by federally approved methodology. The college will always reduce or eliminate self-help (loans or work) before reducing grant aid. Easily search for outside scholarship opportunities.

VA BENEFITS

These benefits are distributed through the VA for eligible veterans, service members, and qualified family members. They may receive up to 100% of their tuition paid for, as well as books and supplies, and a housing allowance. These benefits open new doors for eligible students by giving them unprecedented access to higher education.