Navigating Scholarships at Dominican University: A Comprehensive Guide

Dominican University offers a variety of scholarships and grants to support students' academic success and personal growth. These financial aid opportunities are designed to make college education affordable and accessible. Upon acceptance, the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Services determines students' eligibility for these awards. It is the student's responsibility to check information at dominican.edu for the most current award levels. Financial awards may change at any time without notice.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Dominican University offers Merit Scholarships, which recognize and reward your specific accomplishments, talents, and potential. Every Dominican student is considered for an institutional merit scholarship as soon as they’re admitted to the University. Eligibility is based on academic merit or other talents and abilities. Admitted full-time undergraduate first-year students are automatically considered for a renewable Dominican merit scholarship. We’ll let you know as soon as you’re admitted if you are eligible. There are no applications required.

First-Year Merit Scholarships

For first-year students entering in Fall 2025-Spring 2026, Dominican University offers several merit-based scholarships:

Trustee Scholarship: \$28,000 annually for non-nursing majors and \$22,000 for nursing majors with a GPA of 3.85 or higher.
Presidential Scholarship: \$26,000 annually for non-nursing majors and \$19,000 for nursing majors with a GPA between 3.50 and 3.84.
Dean's Scholarship: \$23,000 annually for non-nursing majors and \$17,000 for nursing majors with a GPA between 3.20 and 3.49.
Dominican Scholarship: \$21,000 annually for non-nursing majors and \$15,000 for nursing majors with a GPA between 3.00 and 3.19.
Alemany Scholarship: \$16,000 annually for non-nursing majors and \$9,000 for nursing majors with a GPA between 2.60 and 2.99.

The final award amount is determined by a variety of factors including GPA, coursework, application, essay, and/or RaiseMe micro-scholarships. Merit scholarships are awarded to new first-year students admitted for the corresponding academic years. Eligibility is based on a student's weighted high school GPA. Annual scholarship amounts are divided in half between the fall and spring semesters. Please note - scholarships are not awarded for the summer semester.

Transfer Student Merit Scholarships

Admitted full-time transfer students are automatically considered for renewable scholarships. A separate application is not required. For transfer students entering in Fall 2025 - Spring 2026:

Trustee Scholarship: \$22,000 annually with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
Presidential Scholarship: \$19,000 annually with a GPA between 3.00 and 3.49.
Dean's Scholarship: \$17,000 annually with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99.

The final award amount is determined by a variety of factors including GPA, coursework, application, essay, and/or RaiseMe micro-scholarships. Annual scholarship amounts are divided in half between the fall and spring semesters. Please note - scholarships are not awarded for the summer semester.

Merit Scholarship for Graduate Students

Merit Scholarship for graduate students is awarded based on the grade point average (GPA) of the last 60 units earned by the student as determined at the time of admission.

Academic Excellence Scholarship: 3.55 - 4.0 GPA, 30% of tuition
Departmental Scholarship: 3.35 - 3.54 GPA, 20% of tuition
Graduate Scholarship: 3.25 - 3.34 GPA, 10% of tuition

Scholarship may also be available for applicants with satisfactory GMAT and/or GRE scores. For more information, contact your admissions counselor.

Scholarship Renewal Policy

Scholarships can be renewed for subsequent years of study as long as you’re enrolled at Dominican. First-year student scholarships are renewable for three additional academic years after the first year (maximum eligibility of eight semesters total). Students who transfer to the University may receive their merit scholarship for a total of 6 semesters.

Scholarships are renewable for up to two additional years beyond the first year of award, provided the student continues to meet the terms and conditions. Students must complete all courses attempted (grades of I, F, UF, and W do not represent a completed course). Students must maintain continuous enrollment at Dominican.

Institutional scholarships and grants are awarded for four years to students who began as freshmen at Dominican University and are continuously enrolled. Transfer students are eligible for institutional scholarships and grants for three years if continuously enrolled. Institutional scholarships are not awarded in the summer term. Institutional grants may be replaced with donor funded scholarships when students demonstrate strong academic merit and financial need. No overall reductions in a student's total aid award will occur when these adjustments take place. Students who receive donor funded scholarships may be asked to write a thank you letter and attend the annual scholarship brunch.

Students who receive the Presidential or Dean’s scholarship need to maintain a 3.0 or greater cumulative GPA to remain eligible for their scholarship. GPAs are reviewed at the end of the spring semester each year and students who are not meeting the GPA requirement are notified that they have one year to raise their GPA to the 3.0 requirement. Students who fail to raise their GPA to the minimum requirement after that year will have their merit scholarship reduced to the Founder’s scholarship award amount for the year in which they entered the university. Students do have the right to appeal for an additional one or two semester extension as they attempt to meet the minimum GPA requirement.

Students who need an additional one or two terms to complete their degree requirements may petition for consideration of an extension of institutional aid. Write an appeal letter explaining why the additional time is needed and what extenuating circumstances led to a delay in graduating. Contact your academic advisor to secure a letter of recommendation regarding the appeal. Appeals should be received at least four weeks prior to the term start for which the extension is being applied.

Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

Dominican University provides funds that are based strictly on financial need. These grants are part of our effort to make college education affordable for students. Applying for a needs-based grant is very straightforward. You simply need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application after October 1 of each year. Learn how to complete a FAFSA or CA Dream Act on our Apply for Aid page. Applying for a federal grant is easy. Simply complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal and State Grants

Pell Grants: Awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. This grant is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs.
Federal Work-Study Program: This program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. The wages will be at least the current federal minimum wage.
TAP (Tuition Assistance Program): The maximum annual award for TAP is from \$1,000 to \$5,665 and since it is a grant, it does not have to be paid back! Award amounts are based on NYS Net Taxable Income.
Cal Grants: The State of California awards Cal Grants to students on the basis of financial need and high school GPA.
California Chafee Grant: The California Chafee Grant is funded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), designed specifically for current or former foster youth in California.

Dominican University Grants

Dominican Grant: The Dominican Grant is a need-based grant that students may qualify for based on their FAFSA information. All students that submit a FAFSA are automatically reviewed for Dominican Grant eligibility.

Program-Specific Scholarships

Dominican University also offers scholarships tailored to specific programs and student groups.

Scholarships for School of Education Students

Dominican University’s School of Education (SOE) offers several scholarships for graduate students:

The Sr. Marie Grant, OP Scholarship: Established in 1998 to provide scholarship support for graduate students with demonstrated financial need enrolled in Dominican University’s School of Education (SOE).
The Christine and John Parmer Scholarship: Established in 2000 to provide scholarship support for graduate students enrolled in Dominican University’s School of Education (SOE). This endowed scholarship is open to all graduate students in SOE, and provides an annual award of approximately \$1,900 for education purposes.
The Sr. Philip Mary Reilly Scholarship: Established to provide scholarship support for School of Education students pursuing licensure in world languages. This expendable fund scholarship is open to all undergraduate and graduate education graduate students in the field of language teaching.
The Helen Brach Foundation Scholarship: Established to provide scholarship support for Catholic School teachers enrolled in Dominican University’s School of Education.
The Hall Scholarship: Established to provide scholarship support for students with demonstrated financial need enrolled in Dominican University’s School of Education. This endowed scholarship is open to graduate students pursuing the MAT in Elementary Education with the Early Childhood Endorsement.

To apply for these scholarships, students must complete the SOE Scholarship Application.

Scholarships for School of Information Studies Students

The School of Information Studies (SOIS) offers several scholarship options for its graduate students, funded by generous donors.

Departmental scholarships: Departmental scholarships (free tuition for your first and last courses) are available to new incoming degree-seeking School of Information Studies (SOIS) students. This scholarship is based on both need and merit.
The Davlin Family Scholarship in Aging: The Davlin Family Scholarship in Aging, endowed by a generous gift from Irene Frye in the name of the Davlin Family to honor Sr. Mary Clemente Davlin, O.P., Award recipients will receive one award that will be distributed over the entire academic year. For example, a \$2,000 award will be distributed as follows: \$1,000 in the fall semester.

Scholarships for Business Students

Brennan School of Business scholarships are awarded to graduate students in the MBA or MS in Healthcare Management programs with outstanding academic achievements. Winners receive a certain amount of money off per credit hour based on the table below. Scholarship only applies to BSB courses. MSA program does not receive the scholarship.

To apply for MBA, MSA, EMBA, or MSBA-AI scholarships, students must meet the priority admission application deadline.

Scholarships for Counseling Psychology Students

Masters of Counseling Psychology Scholarship: \$2,000 for each term the student is enrolled in at least six (6) units for up to a total of 3 years.

To apply, students must apply by the priority admission deadline and complete the MS Counseling Psychology Scholarship Application and Financial Aid Application (FAFSA).

Scholarships for MFA Students

All students in the MFA Program receive an MFA Grant of \$300 for each term of enrollment in the program, for up to a total of 3 years. In order for the MFA Grant to be awarded, students must complete the Dominican Financial Aid Application.

The University has some endowed scholarships funded by generous donors available to students in the MFA program. The amounts and availability of these scholarships vary each year. Recipients are selected by program faculty and the Office of Financial Aid usually between November and February of the academic year in which they are awarded.

Other Program-Specific Scholarships

Lillian L. Y. Wang Yin, PhD - Natural Sciences Scholarship: This scholarship provides financial support to undergraduate students demonstrating academic excellence in the sciences. Candidates may qualify for this award through one of two eligibility pathways: Chemistry major or Natural Sciences majors.
TEACH Grant: Students pursuing a career in teaching at elementary or secondary schools may receive the TEACH Grant from the Federal Government. The maximum TEACH Grant amount is up to \$4,000 per academic year.

Scholarships Based on Specific Criteria

Dominican University offers scholarships based on various criteria, including affiliation, background, and specific interests.

St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship: Students from Catholic high schools are eligible for this scholarship in addition to the Freshman Scholarship.
Legacy Award: Renewable awards of \$2,000 are available to children and grandchildren of Dominican University graduates.
Pillars Scholarship: The Pillars Scholarship is designed for admitted first-year and transfer students who are interested in becoming urban leaders committed to social justice. First-year and transfer students living on campus will be awarded \$2,000.
Gilman Scholarship Program: The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad. Gilman awards up to \$5,000 to help support students to study abroad who may not otherwise be able to due to financial constraints.
SUCCESS Scholarship: First-year, transfer and international students may be eligible for the SUCCESS Scholarship upon verification in an approved CBO.
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship: Under this scholarship, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made.
School Employee Scholarship: Dominican is proud to offer the School Employee Scholarship for eligible candidates who are currently working in a public or private school. The scholarship amount is 25% of tuition applicable while completing credential coursework.
Marin Educators Scholarship: The Marin Educators Scholarship was established at Dominican University of California to benefit underserved students.
Chicago Star Scholarship: The Chicago Star Scholarship program recognizes outstanding City Colleges of Chicago students who plan to transfer to a four-year university that is an established partner with the City Colleges of Chicago.

Scholarships for Re-entry Students

Dominican University recognizes the unique circumstances of students who have experienced an interruption in their education.

Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship: The Crankstart Foundation assists students who have had an interruption of five or more years in obtaining their first baccalaureate degree. Amount: Up to \$5,000 that must be applied towards tuition and fees and/or up to \$1,000 that may be used at the student’s discretion.
Osher Re-entry Scholarship: The Bernard Osher Foundation assists students who have had an interruption of five or more years in obtaining their first baccalaureate degree. Amount: Up to \$5,000 that must be applied towards tuition and fees.

To apply for these scholarships, students must submit a typed essay (one page maximum) explaining why they experienced an interruption and why resuming their undergraduate education is important to them.

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to Dominican University's scholarships and grants, students can explore external funding sources.

American Library Association (ALA) Scholarships: Each year the American Library Association awards a number of scholarships to students who are seeking master's degrees in library and information science.
Beta Phi Mu Scholarships and Fellowships: Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society of library and information science, offers a number of scholarships and fellowships for master's and doctoral students.
Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program: The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois program awards scholarships annually to students who are pursuing advanced degrees.

Additional Opportunities

Tuition Exchange Program: Dominican University participates in the Tuition Exchange Program and The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
Athletic Scholarships: Dominican University offers tuition scholarships to talented athletes who participate on our athletic teams.

Important Considerations

Scholarships from Dominican may only go towards tuition unless otherwise noted. If a student receives more tuition only aid than their tuition charges, their institutional scholarships may be reduced.
Students may only receive institutional scholarships while completing their undergraduate degree unless otherwise noted. If a student enrolls as a graduate student, they will not be eligible for undergraduate institutional scholarships.
Grants from Dominican may only go towards tuition unless otherwise noted. If a student receives more tuition only aid than their tuition charges, their institutional grants may be reduced.
Students may only receive institutional grants while completing their undergraduate degree unless otherwise noted.
It is the student's responsibility to check information at dominican.edu for the most current award levels. Financial awards may change at any time without notice.

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