Unlocking Emory University: A Guide to National Merit Scholarships and Other Financial Aid Opportunities

Emory University is dedicated to making education accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their financial backgrounds. A significant part of the college decision-making process is the cost, and Emory provides various pathways and resources to help students fund their education. The majority (61%) of Emory University undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, with 19% of students receiving Pell grants. Furthermore, $229 million in aid was awarded last year.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Emory National Merit Scholarship requirements and other financial aid opportunities available to undergraduate students.

Emory National Merit Scholarship: Requirements and Benefits

The Emory National Merit Scholarship is a prestigious award offered to incoming students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

Be a National Merit Finalist.
Be selected as a school-sponsored scholar.
Notify the National Merit Scholarship Corporation that Emory is their first-choice college.

Students who meet these requirements and are selected as school-sponsored National Merit Scholars will receive an Emory-sponsored scholarship of $2,000 annually for four years (8 semesters) of attendance. Finalists may also be chosen to receive other sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Importantly, institutional grant awards rewarded to National Merit scholars will not be reduced by the amount of the scholarship. Finalists not selected as an Emory National Merit scholar might be selected to receive other sponsored scholarships by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship is determined based on your SAT/NMSQT performance. The amount of this benefit may be adjusted when combined with other tuition scholarships.

Read also: Emory University Tuition

Additional Merit-Based Scholarships at Emory

Besides the National Merit Scholarship, Emory University offers a range of other merit-based scholarships to recognize and support outstanding students. These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic performance, test scores, extracurricular activities, community service, and other achievements.

Emory Scholars Program

Since 1981, the Woodruff Scholarship has been the premiere merit scholarship for undergraduates at Emory. Awarded to the top 1% of high school applicants, the scholarship provides a generous financial package, supplemental experiential opportunities, and connection to the University-wide network of Woodruff scholars, fellows, and alumni.

To be considered for any and all scholar programs, you must select one of the three admission decision plans (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision) and submit all required application materials by November 15. The selection for merit-based scholar programs is administered by the Office of Admission in partnership with esteemed faculty. Roughly 8,000-10,000 students apply to be Scholars each year. Out of that, 175-200 students are selected as Scholar Finalists. Finalists are required to attend an on-campus Scholars Finalists Visit held in the spring. Taking place over several days, the visit includes activities and interviews designed to help finalists become better acquainted with Emory University and the distinct opportunities available for them here. Applicants who are not selected as finalists for a program are still fully reviewed for admission under their selected application plan and will also automatically be considered for other smaller merit-based scholarships.

The Scholar selection process is completely separate from the financial aid process. When a student is eligible for both merit scholarships and financial aid, merit scholarships are awarded first. Students who applied for financial aid may also be eligible for need-based grants and loans if there is remaining need beyond the merit scholarship award.

Emory Opportunity Award

The Emory Opportunity Award (EOA) is a merit scholarship offered to select incoming Emory College students in recognition of their academic excellence, based on their admission application and financial aid materials. The EOA is renewable for four years (8 semesters), provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. Emory Scholars are not eligible for this scholarship. Eligibility for the EOA will be determined once you have completed Emory's admission application, the FAFSA, and the CSS Profile.

Read also: Finding a Job at Emory

Liberal Arts Scholarship

The Office for Undergraduate Admission awards partial-tuition Liberal Arts Scholarships to select students in recognition of their academic excellence. Liberal Arts Scholarships are renewable for eight semesters (fall/spring) of undergraduate study, as long as the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and demonstrates conduct of the highest standard. Emory Scholars are not eligible for this scholarship.

Eligibility for the Woodruff Scholars Program will be determined once you have completed Emory’s admission application.

Oxford Scholars Program

The Oxford Scholars Program awards merit-based scholarships to exceptional incoming first-year students at Oxford College, based on their admission application. Recipients receive 8 semesters of funding. The Office of Financial Aid is not part of the Oxford Scholars selection process.

BBA Dean's Scholarship

The BBA Dean's Scholarship renews merit scholarships a student receives from Emory College or Oxford College when they choose to transition to the Business School to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration as their undergraduate degree. Recipients receive a total of 8 semesters of funding regardless of the source of funding. Eligibility for the BBA Dean's Scholarship will be determined if and when you choose to apply to Goizueta Business School in your second or third year of study.

Dean's Achievement Scholarship

The Dean’s Achievement Scholarship (DAS) provides rising sophomores in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences up to six semesters of merit aid at $5,000 per semester. The DAS recognizes students who have demonstrated both academic success and substantive co-curricular or community engagement and leadership in their first year at Emory.

Read also: Emory's Chemistry Department

Sam Bredow Memorial Scholarship

The Sam Bredow Memorial Service and Scholarship Endowment is an annual merit scholarship given to student or students in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences who participate in Jewish life organizations at Emory. The scholarship awards students who excel in both their scholastic achievement and service to their organizations.

Sonny Carter Scholarship

The Sonny Carter Scholarship is an annual merit scholarship awarded to a student in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences who demonstrates a clear commitment to developing their full human potential. The scholarship will reward a student who is clearly striving to develop intellectual, physical and moral qualities for the common good.

Need-Based Financial Aid Opportunities

Emory University is committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated need for every admitted domestic student. A number of sources, including federal and state governments, institutional grants and scholarships, and private loans, provide need-based financial assistance. For prospective students who believe that they or their family will not be able to afford to pay for college on their own, they should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). Emory’s financial aid office will then prepare a financial aid package that covers as much of this amount as possible.

Emory is committed to helping students graduate debt-free. Through this initiative, institutional grants will be offered to undergraduate students to replace need-based loans as part of their financial aid packages.

Emory University Grant

The Emory University Grant is offered to traditional students with a demonstrated financial need. Financial aid packages that include the Emory University Grant are made to full-time students only; however, final-semester seniors who are permitted to underload are eligible to receive prorated grants. Eligibility for the Emory University Grant is determined using information provided on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC(if required by your program).

BBA Grant

The BBA Grant is offered to students with a demonstrated financial need who are enrolled in the Goizueta Business School. Financial aid packages that include the BBA Grant are made to full-time students only; however, final-semester seniors who are permitted to underload are eligible to receive prorated grants. Eligibility for the BBA Grant is determined using information provided on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC.

Nursing School Grant & Irene Woodruff Grant

The Nursing School Grant and the Irene Woodruff Grant are offered to students with a demonstrated financial need who are enrolled in the Nursing School. Financial aid packages that include either of these grants are made to full-time students only. Because grant funds are limited, it's encouraged to submit FAFSA materials well before the filing deadline in order to be considered for this program. Eligibility for the Nursing School Grant is determined using information provided on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC.

Emory Advantage Plus

A major expansion of the Emory Advantage program, Emory Advantage Plus covers full tuition, through a variety of grant and scholarship aid sources (federal, state, institutional) for domestic first-degree undergraduate students from families with incomes up to $200,000 and with typical assets. This program will start in fall 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year.

George W. Jenkins Scholarship

The George W. Jenkins Scholarship is a four-year scholarship offered to first-year Emory students based on academic merit, financial need, and a sincere interest in service and enhancing community engagement. Recipients receive 8 semesters of funding.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation funds annual need-based scholarships for southern, Christian female students attending select institutions in the southeastern United States. At Emory University, Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students at Emory College, Oxford College, Emory College, the Nursing School, or the Medical Imaging Program. Emory's Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarships are offered in the recipients' total financial aid package, and the scholarship follows recipients through their course of study in one of the above-designated schools. Recipients receive 8 semesters of funding. Eligibility will be determined once the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if required for your program) are completed.

QuestBridge

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit program that identifies high-achieving, low-income students nationwide and connects them with the nation's best colleges and universities. Recipients receive 8 semesters of funding toward fall and spring only and must also remain in Emory University housing for four years. To apply to Emory University through QuestBridge, you must first apply for the QuestBridge National College Match in the early fall of your senior year. The QuestBridge National College Match helps exceptional low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to selective schools like Emory University.

Other Scholarship and Aid Programs

Emory University students may also be eligible for a variety of other scholarship and aid programs, including:

Education Abroad Scholarships: Financial aid can be applied to Emory's Education Abroad programs. Education Abroad also administers several Education Abroad scholarships to ensure their programs are accessible to as many students as possible.
Robert T. Jones, Jr. Program: The Bobby Jones Scholarship is an exchange program between Emory University and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Each year, four Emory University graduates and four St Andrews graduates are selected for a fully funded year of exchange between the universities.
Phi Beta Kappa: Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious national academic honor society.
Tuition Equalization Grant: The Tuition Equalization Grant is open to full - time undergraduate students residing in Georgia.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship is available to students at Emory University who have attended an Atlanta public school and demonstrate outstanding contributions to society.
United Methodist Ministerial Tuition Benefit: The United Methodist Ministerial Tuition Benefit is available to undergraduate students at Emory University who are the child of an active United Methodist minister of missionary.
Luce Scholars Program: The Luce Scholars Program is available to American citizens who are no more than 29 years of age and who have received their bachelor's degree before taking part in the program. This year-long program provides an intensive experience in Asia and provides a stipend and cost of living and housing allowances.
J. Pollard Turman Leadership Scholars Award: The J. Pollard Turman Leadership Scholars Award is available to incoming first-year students at Emory University who demonstrate leadership potential and a personal commitment to service and excellence in school, civic and other activities. Preference will be given to residents of the Southeast.
ROMBA LGBT+ Fellowship: The ROMBA LGBT+ Fellowship is open to students who attend one of the 64 member schools, identify as a member or ally of the LGBT+ community, and are enrolled in a business program.
IES Merit-Based David Porter Diversity Scholarship: The IES Merit-Based David Porter Diversity Scholarship is available to students at institutions that are members or associate members of the IES college consortium who are from a student group who have been traditionally under-represented on study abroad programs.
Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Need-Based Financial Aid Scholarship: The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Need-Based Financial Aid Scholarship is available to students at institutions that are members or associate members of the IES college consortium who have been accepted into an IES study abroad program.

Understanding the Application Process

To apply for financial aid at Emory University, prospective students should complete the following steps:

Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for all need-based financial aid programs.
Complete the CSS Profile: Some programs may also require the CSS Profile, which provides a more detailed assessment of a family's financial resources.
Submit all required application materials by November 15 for scholar programs. Early Decision I applicants should apply by November 1.

It is important to note that the Emory Scholars selection process is completely separate from the financial aid process. Students who are eligible for both merit scholarships and financial aid will have their merit scholarships awarded first. They may also be eligible for need-based grants and loans if there is remaining need beyond the merit scholarship award.

To formulate an estimate as to how much college might cost, you can find out through Emory's MyIntuition calculator. This tool can help you anticipate your college costs and estimate your eligibility for need-based scholarships.

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