Unveiling the Stamps Scholarship at Tulane University: A Comprehensive Guide

Tulane University, situated in the vibrant Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, distinguishes itself through its robust programs in public health and architecture, offers a diverse range of academic programs across different schools, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Tulane University provides a variety of financial aid options, blending both merit- and need-based programs. All admitted students are automatically considered for partial merit scholarships, while they can also apply separately for additional merit scholarships. Tulane offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships, most of which are renewable for all 4 years of study. Many scholarships consider both need and merit (academic, athletic, or talent) and have renewable criteria. Scholarship amounts range widely, from $1,000 to those that cover full tuition or even the full cost of attendance.

Understanding Merit and Need-Based Aid at Tulane

Tulane's commitment to accessibility is evident through its comprehensive financial aid programs. These programs are designed to support students from various backgrounds, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality education.

Partial Merit Scholarships

All freshmen applicants are considered for partial merit scholarships that range from $1,000 up to $32,000 per year. These scholarships require no special application and are awarded by the admission office based on the strength of the admission application within the context of a given year's applicant pool.

Need-Based Awards

Numerous need-based awards, including a no-loan program for middle-income families, are available through Tulane's Office of Financial Aid. Eligible students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be reviewed and considered for all federal student aid programs.

Read also: Future Leaders Program

The Stamps Scholarship: A Prestigious Opportunity

The Stamps Scholarship stands out as a highly prestigious and comprehensive award. It covers the total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, housing, and meals) and provides an enrichment fund to support endeavors such as study abroad, undergraduate research, academic or co-curricular conferences, and unpaid internships. Approximately 5 Stamps Scholarships are awarded each year.

Origins and Purpose

The Stamps Scholarship was established in 2006 by E. Roe Stamps and his late wife Penny. It enables extraordinary educational experiences for extraordinary students. The Stamps Scholars Program partners with institutions across the nation (and into the U.K.). Scholars receive annual awards that range from $5,400 to $75,000 (four-year awards totaling an average of $21,600-$300,000) with additional funds for enrichment activities.

Program Expansion and Network

The program expanded in 2009 to include the University of Miami and in 2010 to include Barry University, California Institute of Technology, the University of Florida, the University of Illinois, and the University of Virginia. The Stamps Scholars Program sponsors a national convention every two years to encourage collaboration and connection among Stamps Scholars. A major benefit of the Stamps Scholarship is access to a national network of Scholars and alumni who are eager to connect. Scholars have the option to be included in an online, searchable directory, where they can post their career interests and information in order to connect with other like-minded individuals.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The Stamps Scholarship is entirely merit-based and does not consider financial need. Students who are selected for this program show strong academic ability, leadership potential, and exceptional character. Semifinalists will be invited to submit supplements by January 5th, and finalists will be invited to interview in the spring.

Notable Achievements of Stamps Scholars

Stamps Scholars are often among the recipients of other prestigious national and international awards, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Fulbright Scholarships.

Applying for the Stamps Scholarship at Tulane

Applications for the scholarship are submitted through Tulane’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. High school students may apply for the Stamps Scholarship before or during the fall semester.

Application Steps

Beginning with the high school class of 2026 (students applying to Tulane in the fall of 2025), Tulane no longer requires a separate application to be considered for full tuition merit scholarships. All applicants are considered for a partial merit scholarship by completing the Common Application for admission. To ensure students are exploring all options for aid, Tulane expects that they submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile to be considered for merit scholarships, up to full tuition. To be considered for full tuition and other merit scholarships, applicants must follow these four steps:

Complete the Common Application for admission.
Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by Tulane's financial aid deadlines.
Submit the CSS Profile.
Submit supporting documentation when requested by Tulane’s Office of Financial Aid.

While a small number of awards require additional materials, including the Community Service Fellowship, the above materials will provide maximum consideration for the financial aid awarded at Tulane.

Supporting Documents

While no additional materials beyond the four steps outlined above are required, students may upload supporting documents to their Green Wave Portal to be considered in the scholarship review process. Students choosing to submit supplements or creative projects should use them to expand upon or enhance an aspect of their application, focusing on areas such as academics, creativity, leadership, and service. Submissions may be in any format listed on the upload screen. Video and audio submissions must not exceed 3 minutes.

Other Merit-Based Scholarships at Tulane

Besides the Stamps Scholarship, Tulane University offers several other merit-based scholarships.

Dean's Honor Scholarship

Students no longer need to complete a separate application for this full-tuition scholarship. Students who complete the four steps above will all be considered and may upload a supplement to their Green Wave Portal to be reviewed as part of the selection process. Winners are notified in late February. Typical recipients over the last 3 years have had an ACT of 33+, an SAT score of 1500+, and/or a core, unweighted GPA of 3.7+, in addition to well-crafted applications. However, test scores are not required to be considered for the Dean's Honor Scholarship.

Community Service Fellowship

This award offers the opportunity to join a cohort of active and engaged Community Service Fellows on campus who:

Attend monthly group meetings.
Complete an average of 100 service & leadership hours per year.
Learn to be dynamic leaders, community advocates, and service ambassadors.
Regularly access resources and guidance from the Center for Public Service.

Select Community Service fellows will be considered for full-tuition scholarships such as the Sotomayor Public Service Scholarship. The supplements for the Community Service Fellowship and a place to upload an optional service resume will be available on a student’s Green Wave Portal.

FIRST Scholarship

In support of the FIRST mission, Tulane offers a merit-based scholarship ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, dependent upon academic background, to a high school senior who has participated on a FIRST team during their junior or senior year. This scholarship may be utilized for any undergraduate course of study in the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane.

To request consideration for this scholarship through your Green Wave Portal, students must submit a letter of recommendation from an adult mentor/coach on your FIRST team.

Creative and Performing Arts Awards

Several awards are available for students with talents in the arts:

Architecture Portfolio Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio and complete an interview upon invitation.
Creative and Performing Arts Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Musicianship Scholarship: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Studio Art Portfolio Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Marching Band Scholarship: To be considered, you must audition. Contact Tulane Bands. Artistic materials are reviewed by faculty members, and recommendations are provided to the admission committee.

Louisiana Resident Scholarships

As part of the Louisiana Promise, Tulane strives to make education affordable to every admitted student from Louisiana.

Louisiana Excellence Award

Students who currently reside in Louisiana and will graduate from a high school in Louisiana will be considered for this four-year full tuition award if they complete the 4 steps for scholarship consideration outlined above.

International Student Scholarships

Tulane offers awards of varying amounts, up to full tuition, to recognize outstanding admitted international students. These awards are open to non-US citizens, who are otherwise not eligible for US Federal Financial Aid. For non-U.S. citizens, Tulane's Declaration & Certification of Finances form is satisfactory. Complete Tulane’s Declaration & Certification of Finances.

General Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid Applications

The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to.

Outside Scholarships

Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Tulane. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college.

Tulane's Test-Optional Policy

Tulane University of Louisiana is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Tulane University of Louisiana.

Cost of Attendance

The sticker price at Tulane is $87,446. The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation.

Additional Information

Tulane University of Louisiana does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free.
Yes, Tulane University of Louisiana includes a supplemental essay in their application.
89% of students who start at Tulane University of Louisiana finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 31% more than the national median.
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Tulane University of Louisiana is $63,268.
Graduates of Tulane take out a median of $20,500 in federal student loans.

tags: #Stamps #Scholarship #Tulane #University #details