Navigating Elon University Presidential Scholarship Requirements
Elon University offers a variety of scholarships to attract and support talented students. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to specific fields of study. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarships available to prospective students, focusing on the Presidential Scholarship and other merit-based and need-based aid opportunities.
Presidential Scholarships: Recognizing Academic Excellence
Presidential Scholarships, ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 annually, are awarded to approximately 15 percent of entering first-year students. This college scholarship is based on your high school record. No separate application is needed. Scholarships are automatically awarded to students who meet the criteria when the completed admissions application is reviewed. Presidential Scholarships of $7,500 will be awarded to approximately the top 15 percent of first-year students entering the fall semester of 2022. The awards are based on high school course selection, grades, SAT/ACT scores and class rank, if available. No separate application is needed. Scholarships are automatically awarded to students who meet the necessary criteria when the completed admissions application is reviewed.
Elon Engagement Scholarship: A Foundation for Experiential Learning
Every first-year applicant will be a candidate for this $5,000 college scholarship, which is renewable annually. Every first-year applicant is a candidate for a $5,000 Elon Engagement Scholarship, which is renewable annually. In addition, each recipient receives a one-time $2,000 grant to be used for an approved Elon Experience or project, which is designed by the student. In addition, each recipient will be given a one-time $2,000 grant to be used for an approved Elon Experience or project you design. Selection is based on high school academic record, standardized test scores and application essay. The Elon engagement Scholarship is renewable annually pending acceptable academic performance.
Honors Program: A Premier Academic Experience
Exceptionally motivated students seeking a premier academic experience will find a home in Elon’s Honors Program, a merit-based scholarship open to students of any major. Exceptionally motivated students seeking a premier program with academic challenges find themselves at home in the Honors Program, a merit-based college scholarship. Elon’s prestigious Honors Program offers intellectually demanding and dynamic courses that focus on writing and critical-thinking skills. Throughout the four-year sequence, you will learn how to conduct sophisticated academic research in preparation for a project of professional quality that culminates in a published volume in Elon’s Belk Library. Students who have taken a demanding high school curriculum, have an excellent GPA and rank in the top of their class should apply. Each year, 60 students are selected as Honors Program participants based on their high school records, essays, teacher recommendations and a faculty interview. Honors Program students receive a $15,000 scholarship renewable annually based on academic performance and participation in the program. This is in addition to a Presidential Scholarship of $12,000, bringing total scholarship funding to $27,000 each year, or $108,000 over four years. Each year, one student in the Honors Program is selected as the William R. Kenan, Jr. Honors students who plan to attend medical school may also apply for Jane Macon Baird Pre-medical Scholarships that provide an additional $4,000 per year. These scholarships are renewable annually, provided students meet the criteria for the scholarship. Special residential communities are available to Honors Program students in Colonnades or in Elon’s William R. Kenan Jr. Honors Pavilion in the Academic Village.
Participants benefit from unique opportunities such as special courses and faculty mentoring, a living-learning community, paid research assistantships or internships, and the chance to study abroad during Winter Term in their first year.
Read also: Experiential Learning at Elon
Fellows Programs: Opportunities for Growth and Scholarship
Elon’s Fellows Programs offer exciting academic and personal growth opportunities beyond the scope of the usual college experience - opportunities like $1,000 Global Study grants, special courses, internships or paid research assistantships. Elon’s Fellows programs offer challenging academic and personal growth opportunities beyond the scope of the usual college experience - opportunities like travel grants, special courses, guaranteed internships or paid research assistantships. To be considered for one of these college scholarships, students must apply and be admitted to the Fellows program. To be considered for one of these scholarships, students must apply and be admitted to the Fellows program. The scholarships are renewable for an additional 3 years, provided that all program requirements are met. The scholarships are renewable for a total of four years provided that all program requirements are met. A student may apply for more than one Fellows program but will only be admitted to one program. Fellows applications are available on the Elon Acorn Account once a first-year application has been submitted. Students applying to the Fellows programs may access the application via their Elon Acorn Account (admissions.elon.edu/status) following submission of the first-year application. Students applying via the Common Application will receive their Acorn Account log-in information one day after submitting the first-year application. You may apply for up to two programs based on your intended major. Students pursuing dual-degree or accelerated programs are ineligible for Fellows programs. Note: Decisions for the Honors and Fellows programs will not be available until after January 10, which is the enrollment commitment date for Early Decision applicants. Honors and Fellows program applications are reviewed by faculty beginning November 15. Finalists will be notified through their Acorn Accounts by December 20 at the same time their first-year admission decisions are released. Interviews will take place during our Honors and Fellows weekend February 6-7, 2026. The weekend includes an interview, academic simulations, seminars, information sessions and meals on campus. You will also meet currently enrolled Honors and Fellows students. You may apply for up to two programs based on your intended major. Students applying to the Honors or Fellows programs may access the application via their Elon Acorn Account (admissions.elon.edu/status) following submission of the first-year application. Students applying via the Common Application will receive their Acorn Account log-in information one day after submitting the first-year application. Students pursuing dual-degree or accelerated programs are ineligible for Honors and Fellows programs. Note: Decisions for the Honors and Fellows programs will not be available until after January 10, which is the enrollment commitment date for Early Decision applicants. Students may apply for one school-based (Business, Elon College, Communications, Engineering and Computing or Teaching Fellows) program. Honors and Fellows program scholarships are reviewed by faculty beginning November 15. Finalists will be notified through their Acorn Accounts by December 20 at the same time their first-year admission decisions are released. Interviews will take place during our Honors and Fellows weekend February 6-7, 2026. The weekend includes an interview, academic simulations, seminars, information sessions and meals on campus. You will also meet currently enrolled Honors and Fellows students. To receive more information and an application for the Fellows programs, contact The Office of Admissions or visit www.elon.edu/admissions. Applications must be postmarked by January 10. Each year one outstanding incoming Honors Fellow will be named the Kenan Honors Fellow and receive a scholarship award covering full tuition. The Kenan Award replaces previously awarded merit scholarships. The Kenan Fellow will receive a one-time grant up to $4,000 for a study abroad experience as well as funding for one Pre-Orientation experience sponsored by the Office of Student Life for the summer before the freshman year. Fifty scholarships of $7,500 are awarded to incoming Fellows each year. All Elon College Fellows must major in the arts or humanities, social sciences or natural, mathematical or computational sciences. Thirty scholarships of $7,500 are awarded to incoming Fellows each year. Thirty scholarships of $7,500 are awarded to Communications Fellows each year. Teaching Fellows awards are made to outstanding students who intend to pursue a career as educators. The Elon University Teaching Fellows scholarship is $7,500 annually, renewable for a total of four years. In addition, students participate in numerous special travel-learning experiences, including a semester abroad. Twenty-five Teaching Fellows will be selected annually. Teaching Fellows recipients may retain the Presidential or Elon Engagement Scholarship if previously awarded.
Scholars Programs: Value-Added Experiences
Elon’s Scholars Programs are value-added, four-year experiences for academically talented high school students. Scholars programs offer outstanding faculty mentors, scholarships, grants and peer support. Students with substantial and broad leadership experiences in their high school and/or communities are competitive candidates for Elon’s Scholars programs. To be considered for one of these college scholarships, students must apply and be admitted to the Scholars program. The Scholars application opens February 1, 2026. Distinguish yourself as an Elon University Scholar. These premier academic programs are based on your academic interests and talent and require a separate application. Scholars include Engineering, Nursing, Public Health, Change Makers, Elon Sports Vision, Health Professions , Innovation, Phoenix Band, and Legal Professions. All Scholars receive scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $5,500, which are renewable annually for up to four years. The Scholars application opens February 1, 2026.
Phoenix Band Scholarship: Celebrating Musical Talent
The Phoenix Band Scholarship is a selective merit-based program for academically and musically strong students who have a passion and demonstrated interest in instrumental music. A $5,000 college scholarship is awarded annually to 20 students.
North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program: Supporting Future Educators
The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program (NCTF) is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan for service program that provides up to $8,250 a year for up to four years ($33,000) to highly-qualified students from North Carolina who are committed to teaching special education or a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) field in a North Carolina public school. Elon University is one of only five partner institutions for this program. The application and selection process for NCTF is separate from the Elon Teaching Fellows program. Students can receive an NCTF award and an award in one of the following programs: Honors, Elon College, Leadership or Teaching Fellows.
ROTC Scholarships: Opportunities in Military Service
Air Force award two, three and four-year ROTC scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition and books. Army and Air Force offer three- or four-year scholarships, which cover the costs of tuition and books. The scholarships are awarded according to merit, not financial need. The three-year scholarships begin paying sophomore year and students are responsible for all expenses the first year. Some scholarships have a tuition cap, which is below Elon University’s tuition. Students will be responsible for the difference in tuition costs. For more information, contact your high school guidance counselor or local Army or Air Force recruiter. Elon provides ROTC scholarship recipients with free on-campus housing and board during the time the ROTC scholarship pays tuition. The room and board college scholarship is equivalent to a regular double room and up to the cost of the All Access + 7 meal plan.
Read also: Elon's Notable Graduates
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Departmental Scholarships
The Departments of Music and Performing Arts award scholarships to outstanding first-year students on the basis of audition. The scholarship amounts vary. Contact the Departments of Music and Performing Arts at 336-278-5600. In compliance with NCAA Division I regulations, athletic scholarships are awarded by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in each sport offered at Elon. The awards are based on performance, and the amount varies.
External Scholarships
Foundations, service clubs, churches and corporations give away millions of dollars in scholarships each year to worthy students. Students generally seek these scholarships on their own. A good place to start is by asking your high school guidance office about community and other scholarships with which they may be familiar. Then ask about the availability of scholarships at places where family members are employed and through any organizations to which family members belong.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Elon University participates in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. Ten $4,500 Yellow Ribbon Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students based on the order of Veteran’s Administration Certifications received by the Office of the Registrar. When awarded, the Veteran’s Administration then matches with an additional $4,500 in scholarship. The eligible veteran must first register with the Veteran’s Administration for the Post 9/11 G.I.
United Church of Christ Scholarships
$2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) is awarded to full-time students who are legal dependents of full-time ministers in the United Church of Christ.
Elon Law Scholarships
Elon Law’s program is designed to lower the cost of legal education and prepare students for early entry into the job market. The nation’s first 2½ year standard J.D. Elon University’s Office of Financial Planning is located on main campus. Administrators regularly visit Elon Law and are available to incoming students during Orientation week. Scholarships are made available through endowments and gifts provided by generous alumni, faculty, administrators, staff and friends of the law school. They are awarded based on academic abilities, potential for the study of law and other considerations. All accepted applicants are considered for scholarships. No separate application form is necessary to be considered for a merit-based or endowed scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship honors a small number of admitted students who have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement, exceptional character, commitment to service, and leadership. Dean’s Scholars are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, significant community service involvement and potential for success in law school and the legal profession. Students selected for Elon Law’s Fellows Programs (Advocacy, Business, Leadership, Coverdell) receive additional scholarship funding during the academic year, a summer externship experience funded by a scholarship, as well as special programmatic opportunities. A separate application is required. Carole W. Joy B. Sidney J. Stern, Jr. Many students borrow funds to finance their legal education. To be eligible for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Elon’s federal school code is 002927. Applicants should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. The FAFSA may be obtained online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Read also: Elon's Visual Identity
Need-Based Aid and Work Opportunities
There is help available for students and families who do not qualify for need-based aid. This help is in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. Many Elon students pay for some of their university living expenses by working a part-time job, either on or off campus. The opportunities for campus employment at Elon are available both to students who qualify for need-based assistance and to students who do not. Both IWSP- and FWSP- eligible students are responsible for securing their own jobs. The Elon Job Network, managed and operated by the Student Professional Development Center, contains postings of jobs for both FWSP and IWSP positions. Through this system, students may search and apply for jobs on campus and with outside partnering agencies. Would having a job on campus make a difference for you and in your ability to attend Elon? The PACE program, which began in fall 2011, was created to help talented students for whom campus employment will pivotally impact their ability to attend Elon. Students in the program are given access to part-time jobs in campus departments or programs and are guaranteed a campus job with earnings of up to $3,000 per academic year. Not only do these jobs provide additional income, they are also designed to create meaningful work experiences.
tags: #elon #university #presidential #scholarship #requirements
