Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Davidson College Merit Scholarships
Davidson College, committed to enrolling a diverse student body, seeks individuals with the potential to significantly contribute to the college community and beyond. Recognizing this, Davidson offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to attract and support exceptional students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Davidson College's merit scholarship programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes.
Davidson's Commitment to Access and Affordability
Davidson is committed to its responsibility as a liberal arts college and seeks to enroll students from a variety of racial, economic, social, religious, and geographic backgrounds. The college actively seeks students who will contribute to the life of the college and who have the promise to make good use of their education after graduation. To enroll such students, every application is reviewed with care. Admission to Davidson is highly selective.
Davidson College distinguishes itself through its commitment to affordability. The Davidson Trust ensures that 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need is met through grants and student employment, eliminating the need for loans in financial aid packages. While need-based aid forms the cornerstone of Davidson's financial support, the college also recognizes and rewards exceptional talent through merit-based scholarships.
General Admission Requirements
Applicants must complete secondary school graduation requirements before enrolling at Davidson. Excluding consideration for exceptional circumstances, at least 16 high school units are required, although the student accepted at Davidson usually has taken 20 units. These units should include the following: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 2 units of the same foreign language, 2 units of science, and 2 units of history/social studies. It is strongly recommended that high school students continue for the third and fourth years in science and in the same foreign language, continue mathematics through calculus, and take additional courses in history. Candidates considering Davidson should take at least five academic subjects each year in secondary school, unless the school curriculum is structured around four.
All applicants are required to take the SAT of the College Entrance Examination Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program and to have an official score report sent to Davidson. Registration for either test should be completed at least five weeks before the date on which the test is scheduled. It is recommended that juniors take the SAT or the ACT no later than the end of the junior year. This is especially important for those interested in applying under the Early Decision plan. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that applicants submitting SAT scores also take two subject tests. These tests should be taken no later than the December test date of the senior year. The mathematics test is particularly encouraged.
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Students may apply to Davidson by completing and submitting the Common Application, a $50 application fee, and the Davidson Common Application Writing Supplement. A Common Application to Davidson is not complete without the Supplement. Students must then print and complete a signature page and Part II of the application. Supporting materials for all admission applications, regardless of the format for submission, include: official high school transcripts, official SAT or ACT test scores, and recommendations (high school counselor, teacher, and peer recommendations).
Merit-Based Scholarships: Recognizing Excellence
Davidson sets aside significant funds for merit-based scholarships, awarded to a small percentage (approximately 5%) of each incoming class. These scholarships recognize students with exceptional potential for impact on the Davidson community and future contributions to society. These awards range in value from comprehensive cost coverage to full cost of attendance and may include special study opportunity stipends.
General Merit Scholarships
Every admitted student is automatically considered for General Merit-Scholarships. Selection is made by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the Director of Merit Programs and the admission staff on the basis of the strength of the candidate’s application for admission. No separate scholarship application is required for these awards. Scholarships can be renewed throughout the recipients’ upper-class years, provided grade point average and progress toward degree requirements are met.
Nomination Scholarships
Nomination Scholarships, the most competitive awards the college offers, recognize and reward students who rank among the strongest in the nation. Candidates must be nominated for consideration. Heads of school or college counselors may nominate one or two candidate(s) per school or program for the Belk Scholarship and up to three candidates for the Bryan Scholarship or the Charles Scholarship. Candidates can also be nominated by the admission and financial aid staff on the basis of students’ application for admission. No separate scholarship application is required for these awards.
John M. Belk Scholarships
Up to eight scholarships valued at comprehensive fees, plus two special study stipends of $3,000 each, are offered in each first-year class. Established by John M. Belk, a member of the Class of 1943, whose career was marked by extraordinary leadership and service in business, civic affairs, and the church. The John M. Belk Scholarship provides comprehensive funding (tuition, fees, food, and housing) plus $6,000 in special opportunity stipends.
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Lowell L. Bryan Scholarships
Two $35,000 scholarships are offered to first-year students (one female and one male) who have the capacity and ability to contribute in a superlative manner to their sport and to the academic and co-curricular life at Davidson. The scholarships were established by Lowell L.
Charles Scholarships
Up to three scholarships are offered in each first-year class to high-achieving students from the Chicago Public School System.
Competition Scholarships
Every admitted student is considered for Competition Scholarships. Nominees are selected by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the Director of Merit Programs and the admission staff. Finalists will be required to participate in a scholarship interview. The scholarships are renewable, providing the recipients meet grade point average requirements, make standard progress toward their degrees, and are significantly involved in the life of the college community.
Missy and John Kuykendall Scholarships
Two $25,000 awards are offered in each first-year class. Established by the college family in honor of Davidson’s fifteenth president, John Kuykendall and his wife Missy, the Kuykendall Scholarships are for students who, through their habits of mind, leadership, and character, offer the potential to provide the college community the kind of servant leadership that characterized the thirteen-year presidency (1984-1997) of John Kuykendall, Davidson Class of 1959.
Amos Norris Scholarship
This award was created by Robert Norris, Davidson Class of 1972, in honor of his father, Amos Norris. The award is offered to an outstanding first-year student athlete with integrity, a strong work ethic, and excellent leadership qualities. Nominees are identified by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid and the Director of Athletics.
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Application Scholarships
These scholarships are defined with specific reference to particular areas of study or talent and require a separate application for consideration. Scholarships can be renewed throughout the recipients’ upper-class years at the college, provided grade point average and progress toward degree requirements are met.
William Holt Terry Scholarships
These two awards, valued at full tuition and fees annually, were created to honor the late Dean Terry (Davidson Class of 1954 and Dean of Students for 23 years).
Rupert T. Barber Scholarship
One $5,000 award will go to a first-year student who demonstrates exceptional talent and passion for theatre upon entering Davidson. The award is renewable for four years of study at Davidson, based on grade point requirements and active involvement in the theatre program throughout all four years of attendance.
Bremer German Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is offered to a first-year student who expresses interest in German studies. (The user provided an incomplete sentence here.)
Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility
To retain any grant, loan, or work assistance, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their chosen course of study at Davidson. Satisfactory academic progress is reviewed annually before each academic year. The definition of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid aligns with the faculty's definition of "good standing."
A continuing student must meet specific academic progress standards for financial aid:
- A 1.60 cumulative grade point average and seven courses completed after the first two semesters.
- A 1.80 cumulative grade point average and fifteen courses completed after four semesters.
- A 2.00 cumulative grade point average and twenty-four courses completed after six semesters.
First-year students, admitted based on rigorous criteria, are presumed to be in good standing throughout their first year if they carry at least a half-time course load. Need-based institutional grant support is available for a maximum of eight semesters (pro-rated for transfer students).
In cases where a student continues at Davidson despite not meeting academic standards, financial aid may be offered on a probationary basis for one semester if there are mitigating circumstances. Students whose financial aid eligibility is rescinded due to lack of academic progress receive written notice and can appeal the decision by writing to the Director of Financial Aid.
Eligibility can be re-established by improving the grade point average and grade point totals or addressing course deficits at the student's expense. Approved classes may be taken during summer sessions or the academic year.
Need-Based Financial Aid
Davidson maintains a strong financial aid program to assist students whose families may not be able to finance the entire cost of a Davidson education. Determination of a student’s financial need begins with the assumption that the parents and student have the primary responsibility to meet education costs to the extent they are able. Early decision or regular decision admission to Davidson is offered without regard to financial circumstances except in the case of international students. Prospective students who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit completed tax documents to the College Board IDOC service.
International Students
Davidson welcomes applications from international students wishing to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree. Prior to enrollment at Davidson, an international applicant should have completed a program of study at the secondary school level expected of a student preparing for university entrance in his or her own country. All applicants must take the SAT available through the College Entrance Examination Board. Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of fluency in English through recommendations, writing samples, and successful performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), also available through the College Board. The College Board number for Davidson College is 5150. If a student’s personal financial situation is such that more than nominal assistance is required, he or she must be aware that competition for available funds is keen; it is advised that the student file additional applications to other colleges.
Additional Information
While not required, a campus visit is strongly encouraged. Group and Senior-to-Senior information sessions are conducted by an admission officer or a senior admission fellow. The format of the session may be a group setting or an individual meeting; neither is evaluative. In addition to the information session and campus tour, prospective students are welcome to eat on campus, attend an extra-curricular activity (sports, theatre, lecture, concert), and talk with students or faculty that they may meet during their visit. Campus tours and information sessions are scheduled daily and available on Saturdays during peak visitation periods (spring and fall).
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