University of Dayton Merit Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of Dayton (UD), a private Roman Catholic research university in Dayton, Ohio, offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to recognize and support academically talented students. These scholarships, along with other forms of financial aid, help make a UD education accessible to a diverse range of students. With a student body of over 11,000 from various religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds, the University of Dayton is committed to providing opportunities for higher education to students from all over the world. Understanding the different types of merit scholarships available, their requirements, and the application process is crucial for prospective students.
Automatic Consideration for Merit Scholarships
The University of Dayton automatically considers all full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate applicants for merit scholarships, whether they are entering directly from high school or transferring from another college. This means there’s no separate application required for initial merit scholarship consideration. When you apply for admission, you're automatically in the running for these awards. The University of Dayton is test-optional in admission. Applying is free, and test scores are optional.
Types of Merit Scholarships
The University of Dayton offers a range of merit scholarships, each with its own criteria and award amount. Here are some of the prominent merit scholarships available:
President's Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is available to incoming first-year students and is renewable for up to four years. Recipients are selected based on a variety of criteria, including GPA, test scores (if submitted), and academic rigor. The scholarship range is a yearly amount that includes eligibility for the textbook scholarship.
Father Chaminade Award, Deans' Merit Scholarship, and Trustees' Merit Scholarship: These are additional merit-based programs for first-year students. Award amounts vary by program. These scholarship ranges are four-year amounts that include eligibility for our textbook scholarship. These amounts apply to full-time degree programs over 8 semesters at UD. Scholarship ranges differ for partnership programs, like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, or degree programs that are less than 8 semesters.
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Merit scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria including GPA, test scores (if submitted) and academic rigor. To reward your hard work, the University offers merit scholarships, worth up to $33,000 per year for four years, when you apply. You will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship as part of the admission process.
Specific Scholarship Opportunities
Beyond the general merit scholarships, UD offers several scholarships tied to specific affiliations or circumstances:
Alumni Association Scholarship: The University’s Alumni Association sponsors a $5,000 renewable scholarship awarded to a student whose parent or grandparent is a UD graduate. Selection criteria include financial need, academic performance, standardized test scores and service. Due the nature of this scholarship, the initial award must be administered to a first-year, incoming student. To be considered you, must apply for admission by our early action deadline of November 1st. Within the application, you will be able to provide the alumnus’ information. Also, since priority consideration is given to students with demonstrated financial need, you’ll want to file the FAFSA by our priority filing date of February 1.
Deacon’s Scholarship: An incoming student whose father, grandfather or uncle is a permanent, active deacon of the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Church may be eligible for a Deacon’s Scholarship, a renewable, four-year scholarship. Due the nature of this scholarship, the initial award must be administered to first-year, incoming students. To be considered, you must apply for admission by our early action deadline of November 1st. Within the application, you will be able to provide the name of the Deacon, the Diocese and your relationship to the Deacon. Also, since priority is given to those with demonstrated need, you’re encouraged to file the FAFSA by our priority filing date of February 1. In February, we will reach out to each Diocese for confirmation of the Deacon’s status.
National Merit Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to National Merit Finalists who designate the University of Dayton as their first-choice school.
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Osher Reentry Scholarship and Crankstart Reentry Scholarship: These scholarships may be awarded to students who are generally between the ages of 25-50 and have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years.
ROTC Scholarships (Air Force and Army): Air Force and Army ROTC scholarships are offered nationally and may be used at the University of Dayton. Aerospace studies courses are taken at Wright State University, in Dayton, while all other courses are taken at UD. The University will provide AFROTC award recipients with a $5,000 per year ROTC Incentive Grant, in addition to any UD merit scholarship awarded. Army ROTC scholarships can cover the full cost of tuition and fees, $600 per a semester for books, and a $420 monthly stipend during the school year.
Visual Arts Scholarships: Visual arts scholarships are awarded annually on a competitive basis. Entering students who wish to be considered must submit a portfolio to be reviewed by the visual arts faculty.
Intercollegiate Athletic Scholarships: Intercollegiate athletic scholarships are awarded each year to entering students upon recommendation of the respective coaching staffs. The University of Dayton competes at the NCAA Division I level and is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference for all sports except football. The football program competes in the Division One Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and is a member of the Pioneer Football League.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Departmental Scholarships: Students may find that they are eligible to receive additional scholarship funds from their academic department/division. Typically, awards are reserved for upper-class students. Departments who have funds available notify students directly about these opportunities. Please note that students receiving scholarships that cover full tuition or close to full tuition may not be eligible to receive this funding.
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Donor-Funded Scholarships: Corporations, foundations, service groups and individual benefactors sponsor scholarships for upper-class students through the donor-funded scholarship program. Awards are given based on financial need, academic achievement, leadership and/or service to the school and community, while enrolled. Please note that students receiving scholarships that cover full tuition or close to full tuition may not be eligible to receive this funding.
MPOWER Scholarship: MPOWER offers scholarship opportunities for the summer to support international students in funding their educational dreams.
Study Abroad Scholarship: The University will help you expand your perspective and stand out in the global marketplace through education abroad. You can take advantage of our unique opportunity to learn overseas through select programs for an entire semester at no additional cost. We encourage you to contact our office prior to deciding which program to participate in to review total cost and aid eligibility.
Textbook Scholarship: Fall 2026 incoming students who make an official campus visit and file the FAFSA will receive the university's textbook scholarship. This award will cover the cost of UD course materials each semester through the University Bookstore. Students may be ineligible for the Textbook Scholarship if receiving a book stipend from another agency that is equal to or greater than the University's award.
Application Deadlines and Procedures
To maximize your chances of receiving merit scholarships, it's essential to adhere to the following deadlines and procedures:
Early Action Deadline: November 1st is the early action deadline for certain scholarships, such as the Alumni Association Scholarship and the Deacon’s Scholarship. Applying by this deadline can increase your chances of being considered for these specific awards. Apply for admission to the University of Dayton (admission.udayton.edu) by the Early Action deadline of November 1st or the Regular Decision deadline of February 1 of your senior year in high school for first-year admission.
FAFSA Priority Filing Date: February 1st is the priority filing date for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing the FAFSA by this date is crucial because priority consideration is given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Test-Optional Policy: The University of Dayton is moving to test-optional admission for the fall entering class and beyond. UD’s test-optional admission process allows each applicant to have more control of their application for admission to the University of Dayton. Each applicant can decide to submit standardized college entrance exam scores if they believe the scores add value to their candidacy. Alternatively, an applicant may choose not to submit the scores and instead place greater emphasis on their school record and other supporting documentation. Students may submit test scores through the December ACT or SAT test dates of their senior year of high school.
Understanding Financial Aid and Additional Resources
Merit scholarships are just one component of the financial aid landscape at the University of Dayton. It's important to understand how they interact with other forms of aid and resources:
Financial Aid Award Package: Your financial aid award indicates your financial aid eligibility for the upcoming academic year, as determined by our office, using the information you provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
External Scholarships: Students must notify Flyer Student Services of any external scholarships they may receive. Such awards are counted as a resource and may reduce their eligibility for other need-based aid. As scholarships funded from sources outside the University of Dayton become known to us, we'll post the opportunities on our external scholarships page.
Grants: Grants, like scholarships, are gift aid - financial aid that is not repayable. Generally, grant amounts are based on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Should any of these things change throughout the year, your eligibility for grants will be re-evaluated.
Federal Pell Grant: Department of Education and awarded to students who demonstrate the highest financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Department of Education and awarded to students who demonstrate the highest financial need.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant: Recipients must be first-time college students who meet the residency requirements for Ohio.
Grants from other states: Residents of other states are encouraged to apply to the appropriate state agency for any awards that may be used at University of Dayton.
Common Good Grant: This grant is our commitment to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds in pursuit of academic interests to serve the common good. The award seeks to nurture a campus environment where students live and learn alongside peers with varied life experiences, while helping to ensure the sustainability of UD’s mission. A cornerstone of the Marianist tradition is the concept of community - living and learning together. For this reason, a core requirement of the Common Good grant is that recipients must live on campus in University housing while enrolled. By living together, students develop deep relationships, practice mutual respect, engage in shared responsibility and build the lifelong connections that empower them to become leaders committed to the common good.
Forever Flyer Grant: This grant is funded by the University of Dayton and is awarded based on a financial need as determined by the FAFSA. This award may be adjusted throughout the academic year if additional university awards are received by the student.
UD Dependent of Employee Tuition Remission: Employees of the University of Dayton and their dependents are eligible to receive consideration for this award. The value is based on employment status and the employee's length of service. To receive the benefit, the eligible employee is required to submit the Tuition Remission Application through Human Resources annually. This award will replace other university aid and may impact one's eligibility for student loans.
Student Loans: Student loans should be considered as a last resort after all other financial assistance opportunities have been explored. This option may help bridge the gap between the cost of your education after any scholarship awards have been received and what you and your family are able to pay towards the remaining cost.
Federal Direct Student Loan Program: Offers both a need-based (Subsidized) and a non-need-based (Unsubsidized) loan. You will need to accept, reduce, or decline your loan. Department of Education will serve as your lender. The Federal Direct Student Loan program benefits include low, fixed interest rates that do not depend on your credit score and that do not require a cosigner because they are guaranteed by the federal government.
Federal Direct PLUS Loan: A federally guaranteed loan program for parents or guardians of dependent students designed to help families meet their educational expenses. Loan amounts will vary and the annual loan limit may not exceed $20,000 per year per student and $65,000 total per student for new borrowers. Previous legacy borrowers are any students enrolled at UD as an undergraduate student who has borrowed any federal loan prior to July 1, 2026. The first monthly payment of principal and interest is due within 60 days of the loan being fully disbursed, although parents do have the option to defer payments until 6 months after graduation.
Private Loans: Educational loans from private lenders are also available for students. With a private loan, a student can borrow up to the remaining cost of attendance for the year. Depending on your credit history, private student loan rates can be fixed or variable. In most cases, repayment is deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time and the funds are disbursed directly to the university.
Student Employment: Every student is eligible for part-time employment during the school year. Employment opportunities are optional and not guaranteed. Students who wish to pursue employment will receive information in mid-August from Career Services explaining the application process. Students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Students will see an amount listed for one of these programs in their financial aid award package. This number (i.e. $2,400) is representative of what a student might make in their job if they were to work approximately 10 hours per week. Students receive a paycheck twice per month based on the hours worked.
Payment Plan: Our payment plan allows students and their families to make monthly payments on university billed expenses.
Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility
Scholarship awards are renewable as long as you meet academic requirements each year. The Higher Education Act of 1965 requires the University of Dayton to develop and enforce standards of satisfactory academic progress prior to awarding any federally funded programs to students. We hold all university and state funds to these standards of progress. Consideration for financial aid is based on an annual review of the family's financial situation. Standards of satisfactory academic progress are established to encourage students to successfully complete courses for which financial aid is received and progress toward degree completion. The university will review your progress in May of each year to verify your eligibility for aid for the next academic year. In order to regain your eligibility, you must improve your cumulative GPA and/or make up the deficient credit hours at your own expense. Upon admission to University of Dayton, we communicated a 3.0 GPA requirement for UD merit scholarship renewal. After a close review of this policy, this requirement has been removed for future renewal of these scholarships. We encourage students to work closely with their academic advisor to successfully progress towards successful degree completion.
Additional Information for International Students
The tuition plan benefits are available to international students applying directly to the University of Dayton. Please note that the "Estimated Miscellaneous Expenses" are not billed by UD. These anticipated additional expenses include mandatory health insurance, transportation, books etc. Please review the additional information indicating how to obtain your visa. The University of Dayton is the world’s leading University and provides a wide range of opportunities. Moreover, the University of Dayton is one of the top 20 institutes in providing internship opportunities.
Resources and Support
At times, the process of applying for and receiving financial aid may appear overwhelming - but we're here to help! More than 93% of undergraduates receive financial aid, and our transparent tuition plan offers peace of mind when it comes to cost. Have Questions? Meet our recruitment and admission staff - and schedule an appointment with the counselor for your area. The Financial Aid Reference Guide provides you with valuable information regarding your financial aid awards while at the University of Dayton. Reference the full Financial Aid Reference Guide (.pdf) for details and additional information. The University of Dayton is committed to transparency.
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