Thanks to the generous support of Catholic University alumni, donors, and friends, we can offer a range of scholarships that recognize and reward you for outstanding academic performance in high school — as well as exceptional leadership and service in your school, church, and community.
Scholarships
First-Year and Transfer Scholarships
All First-Year and Transfer scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission. Only undergraduate students are eligible for consideration for Admission scholarships. Consideration for university scholarships is made during the admission application process. Late applications or applications from continuing students will not be considered. University scholarships are awarded based on prior academic performance and are not subject to future increases (except for the Archdiocesan Scholarship).
94 %
of first-year students received scholarships and/or grants directly from Catholic University in 2020-21.
University scholarships can only be applied to tuition charges billed by The Catholic University of America during the academic year (i.e. during the fall and spring semesters) and are automatically renewed up to eight semesters or until you complete your current degree, whichever comes first. Transfer students' length of eligibility is prorated based on the number of credit hours accepted by their academic departments. University scholarships require that a student maintains continuous full-time enrollment status (a minimum of 12 credit hours) in a degree program and is registered by the end of the add/drop period (as published in the University Announcements and Schedule of Course Booklet) each semester. Students are responsible for adhering to all scholarship requirements. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined in the University Announcements and under the Policies and Procedure section of the Financial Assistance website.
Qualifications: For consideration, students must be at the top of their high school class, with an 'A' average in a highly demanding curriculum, along with significant involvement and leadership outside the classroom. Selected candidates will be notified of their nomination in mid-December. They will be asked to submit a 250-word statement of interest and participate in an interview with admission staff. Finalists will then be asked to participate in an on-campus interview with faculty. No separate application is required.
In addition to maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Archdiocesan Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.20 cumulative grade point average at all times.
The amount awarded varies, with the current four-year scholarship ranging from $17,000 to $32,000.
Qualifications: Candidates must have an exceptional academic profile as determined by the quality of their high school curriculum, GPA, and class rank (if provided). As of the 2020-21 academic year, Catholic University is a test-free institution. Standardized test scores will not be reviewed for the basis of admission, scholarship, or the University Honors Program.
Application: No separate application is required.
Established in 2010, this scholarship will be awarded each year to an entering freshman student from the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey who embodies Bishop David M. O’Connell’s dedication to service. The scholarship honors Bishop O’Connell, C.M., who was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2010. Bishop O’Connell served as the 14th president of Catholic University for 12 years before stepping down. During his tenure, Bishop O’Connell emphasized commitment to service, a reflection of his episcopal motto – Ministrare non ministrari – meaning “to serve and not to be served,” from the Gospel of St. Mark.
This four year, full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student with a demonstrated record of service, and a commitment to service while at Catholic University. This award does not require a separate application or nomination form, but students who are interested are strongly encouraged to submit a service resume highlighting service to their communities, schools, and parishes. Applicants are considered for this award based upon the completed Undergraduate Application for Admission. Finalists will be asked to participate in an interview.
Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) throughout the duration of their time as an undergraduate student.
First-year and transfer applicants who are parishioners of Catholic churches in the United States and all U.S. territories are eligible for consideration for the Parish Scholarship. Beginning in the Fall 2019 term, students enrolling at Catholic University as new first-year or transfer students will receive $4,000 annually, renewable for up to four years.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure the Parish Scholarship information is completed as part of the admission application process. Applicants seeking consideration are required to complete the Parish Scholarship information section included on the Common Application. The required information must be submitted with the application and students cannot request consideration at a later date. No adjustments to scholarship awards will be made after admission and scholarship decisions have been rendered. Receipt of this scholarship is not automatic and only one Parish Scholarship will be awarded per student.
Beginning with the Fall 2017 enrollment term, first-year and transfer students who have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who graduated from Catholic University (undergraduate, graduate, law) are eligible for the Legacy Grant, which is a $1,000 grant renewable for up to four years.
No separate application is required. All first-year and transfer students who are offered admission and meet the above criteria will automatically receive this grant.
Students who are planning to study in a Bachelor's of Music program and successfully complete their required audition are automatically eligible for consideration for music which can be combined with other merit-based awards. Please visit the Audition Information page for the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art for information about the audition requirements.
All first-year students admitted to the Studio Art and Art History majors at Catholic University are eligible to compete for the Karen Laub-Novak Art and Faith Scholarship. Up to two students each year who demonstrate exceptional creative talent, will be selected to receive a $5,000 renewable scholarship (a total scholarship of $20,000) and up to $6,500 financial support for research, travel, museum admission, arts events, or other forms that may serve to advance their formation as creative and productive students of the arts. Each scholarship recipient will also have the support of a special mentor.
To be considered for a scholarship, students must be admitted the Department of Art as either Studio Art or Art History majors, and must submit an online portfolio and an essay expressing how they wish to explore their Catholic faith and formation through art and artistic expression. Finalists will be interviewed by Catholic University faculty (in-person or via Skype). Students interested in exploring their most profound creative potential in a dynamic arts community nourished by centuries of spiritual inspiration and the unparalleled resources of the Nation's Capital in a welcoming and supportive academic environment are encouraged to apply.
Portfolio requirements:
A portfolio of 10-15 pieces of your best original work of any type or medium may be submitted.
Please submit scans or photos of original artwork as JPG images (up to 5MB each, with a minimum of 800 pixels wide). Video files may be submitted as MP4 files (up to 60MB each). Video files must be no longer than 3 minutes each, use excerpts if needed. For sculpture or installation, you may submit multiple views of a single piece, however the total number of images or video cannot exceed 15.
Students with an interest in Art History should upload an exemplary writing sample of 1,500 words or less on a topic related to art, art history, or art criticism saved as a .pdf or Word document.
Additionally a 1-2 page, double-spaced essay in 12pt typeface must be uploaded as well. This essay should express how you wish to explore your Catholic faith formation through art and artistic expression.
Please visit our Portfolio Submission Portal.
Beginning in the Fall 2019 term for students enrolling at Catholic University as first year students:
-Students who earn full tuition ROTC Scholarships from the Army, Navy, or Air Force will automatically be eligible for the ROTC Room and Board Matching Scholarship. This scholarship will cover the full cost of on-campus room and board for each year the student receives a full-tuition ROTC Scholarship.
-ROTC candidates who earn scholarships that cover less than four years of full tuition will be considered for merit and need-based financial assistance in accordance with University policies for any years not covered by the ROTC award.
If you have any specific questions, please contact the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services.
Qualifications: For consideration, a student must be admitted into the Basselin Fellowship Program. Upon acceptance, a student will receive a 50% waiver of tuition, scholarships for remaining tuition, room and board. Students may be permitted to combine this assistance with other aid depending on the aid program and the student’s year in college.
Some schools and departments within the University offer scholarships to students applying to study in certain fields. Top applicants will be automatically considered for these scholarships during the admission review process, but awards are limited. A separate application is not required.
Available to transfer applicants who are active members of Phi Theta Kappa at their current two-year colleges. To qualify for this $3,000 renewable award, applicants must provide a copy of their PTK certificates with their application for admission.
Alumni and Friends of The Catholic University of America have generously provided funding for our students. A portion or all of your scholarships and or need-based grant may be funded through one or more of the following Donor-Sponsored Scholarship funds. Please note: you may not apply directly for these scholarships. Donor-sponsored funds are awarded during the regular fall and spring terms only.
Adela Pavia-Soto Scholarship for Hispanic Students
Andrew B. Candelaria Scholarship
Annie Lee Knowles Horton
Bishop of Pittsburgh Scholarship
Brady Family
Brother Patrick Ellis Scholarship
Carl A. Westerkamp American Indian Scholarship
Casey Korbecki
Charles Genovese Memorial
Class of 1959
Class of 1984
Collier Chemistry Scholarships
Craves Family Scholarship
Daniel E. Finnegan
David Lynch Scholarship
Dennis & Johanna Cadigan
Diocese of Rapid City Scholarship
Dolores Wahl Griswold
Double H Housing Corp.
Dr. James Donnelly
Edward J. Pryzbyla Scholarship
Farone Foundation
Flanigan
Frank A. Grasso Scholarship
Good Thief Hyland Scholarship
H.R. Franco Scholarship
Helene Monney
Horace McKenna
Hurley Diconcini Scholarship
James L. DeChard
John A. and Eileen F. Carr Scholarship
John Mosby Russell Scholarship
Joseph & Eunice Rankin
Joseph & Mary Della Ratta Scholarship
Kast Family Scholarship Fund
Loughran Foundation
Martin Richard Smith
Mary J Feik Scholarship Fund
Maureen Daley Favo Scholarship
Milholland Memorial Scholarship
Monsignor James Magner
Monsignor John J. McMahon
Mother Theresa Scholarship
Murray/Talbot
Nicholas Michael Hand
Noel J. Slakey Scholarship Fund
Olive S. and Edward C. Sweeney Scholarship
Patrick X Garvin Endowment
Patton Memorial Scholarship
Richard W. Clifford
Roman Catholic High School
Schmitt Family Scholarship — Music
Schmitt Family Scholarship — Science
Senator’s Club Scholarship
Talbot/Richard Scholarship
The Alpha Delta Gamma Scholarship
The Anthony Miranda Scholarship Fund
Toomey Family
USX Scholarship Fund
Walter E. Norris Scholarship
William J. Byron Scholarship
Through the D.C. Consortium, Catholic University students may choose to enroll in one of the following programs. Please contact the appropriate office for more information.
Army ROTC
Through Georgetown University: Hoya Battalion
Contact Phone Number: 202-687-7023
Contact Email: georgetownROTC@gmail.com
Website: rotc.georgetown.edu
Navy ROTC
Through The George Washington University (nursing students only)
Contact Phone Number: 202-994-5880
Contact Email: gwnrotc@gwu.edu
Website: rotc.gwu.edu
Air Force ROTC
Through Howard University
Contact Phone Number: (202) 806-6788
Contact Email: det130uao@gmail.com
Website: https://airforce.howard.edu/
Additional scholarship information for prospective ROTC students.
Students who earn admission to Catholic University and who have a parent employed as a full-time faculty or staff member at the John Paul II Institute are eligible for a University Grant of $10,000 per academic year. Grant recipients must be full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students. The University Grant can be combined with other Catholic University merit scholarships up to the value of full tuition. Students who complete the application process for need-based financial assistance will also receive full consideration for those sources of assistance. The University Grant is renewable as long as the parent maintains continuous full-time employment at the Institute and the student remains matriculated in good standing. Each grant recipient may receive this benefit for up to four years (eight semesters), for an aggregate maximum value of $40,000.
The listed scholarship search sites are free to search and are not affiliated with CUA. Most scholarship databases do not charge a fee to utilize their search process but may contain individual scholarships that require an application fee or membership to an organization. Make sure to research all scholarship requirements before applying. The Office of Student Financial Assistance recommends FastWeb as our top choice for free online scholarships searches.
FastWeb Scholarship Search
Recommended by over 15,500 high schools and 3,500 colleges, FastWeb is the nation’s largest, most accurate and most frequently updated scholarship database online. FastWeb provides free scholarship searches, personalized scholarship matching, and automatic email notification of new scholarships that match a student’s profile. Learn More
Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com matches your academic, talents, and interests with scholarships. It is a complete source for local and national college scholarships and allows you to review scholarships by deadline and dollar amount. Learn More
College Board’s Scholarship Search
Complete a brief questionnaire and Scholarship Search will find potential opportunities from their database of more than 2,300 sources of college funding that match your education level, talents and background. All of the scholarship information is based on the College Board’s Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs, which is mailed out to over 1,200 sponsoring organizations each year. Learn More
U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (Career One Stop) Scholarship Search
Search more than 7,000 scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other financial aid opportunities. Learn More