All First-year and Transfer scholarships are awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Only undergraduate students are eligible for admission scholarships. Consideration for university scholarships is made during the admission application process. Late applications or applications from continuing students will not be considered. University scholarships are awarded based on prior academic performance and are not subject to future increases (except for the Archdiocesan Scholarship).

University scholarships can only be applied to tuition charges billed by The Catholic University of America during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) and are not refundable. Merit and need-based aid cannot be awarded above total tuition charges. Scholarships may be renewed for up to eight semesters or until you complete your current degree, whichever comes first. Aid must be accepted each academic year. University scholarships require that a student maintains continuous full-time enrollment status (a minimum of 12 credit hours) in a degree program and is registered by the end of the add/drop period (as published in the University Announcements and Schedule of Course Booklet) each semester. Students are responsible for adhering to all scholarship requirements. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined in the University Announcements and under the Policies section of the Financial Assistance Web site.

Metropolitan School of Professional Studies(MSPS/Metro) students are not eligible for admission scholarships.

Degree programs and other academic changes could impact your admission scholarships. Consult with a Financial Aid Counselor to review your options before making changes.

Scholarship Proration: Scholarships will be prorated if you complete your degree early. This is based on the number of credits enrolled during the final semester. Scholarships are awarded for the academic year(Fall/Spring) and cannot be applied entirely to one semester.

Archdiocesan Scholarship

Qualifications: For consideration, students must be at the top of their high school class, with an 'A' average in a highly demanding curriculum, along with significant involvement and leadership outside the classroom. Selected candidates will be notified of their nomination in mid-December. They will be asked to submit a 250-word statement of interest and participate in an interview with admission staff. Finalists will then be asked to participate in an on-campus interview with faculty. No separate application is required.

In addition to maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Archdiocesan Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.20 cumulative grade point average at all times.

The Catholic University of America Scholarship

Each year upon acceptance, candidates are reviewed to identify recipients of The Catholic University of America Scholarship(CUA Scholarship). The amount awarded varies, with the current four-year scholarship ranging from $17,000 to $32,000.

Qualifications: Candidates must have an exceptional academic profile as determined by the quality of their high school curriculum, GPA, and class rank (if provided). As of the 2020-21 academic year, Catholic University is a test-free institution. Standardized test scores will not be reviewed for the basis of admission, scholarship, or the University Honors Program.

Application: No separate application is required.

Most Reverend David M. O'Connell Service Scholarship

Established in 2010, this scholarship will be awarded each year to an entering freshman student from the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey who embodies Bishop David M. O’Connell’s dedication to service. The scholarship honors Bishop O’Connell, C.M., who was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2010. Bishop O’Connell served as the 14th president of Catholic University for 12 years before stepping down. During his tenure, Bishop O’Connell emphasized commitment to service, a reflection of his episcopal motto – Ministrare non ministrari – meaning “to serve and not to be served,” from the Gospel of St. Mark.

This four-year, full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student with a demonstrated record of service, and a commitment to service while at Catholic University. This award does not require a separate application or nomination form, but interested students are strongly encouraged to submit a service resume highlighting service to their communities, schools, and parishes. Applicants are considered for this award based upon the completed Undergraduate Application for Admission. Finalists will be asked to participate in an interview.

Parish Scholarship

Undergraduate First-year and transfer applicants who are parishioners of Catholic churches in the United States and all U.S. territories are eligible for consideration for the Parish Scholarship. Beginning in the Fall 2019 term, students enrolling at Catholic University as new first-year or transfer students will receive $4,000 annually, renewable for up to four years.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure the Parish Scholarship information is completed as part of the admission application process. Applicants seeking consideration are required to complete the Parish Scholarship information section included in the Common Application. The required information must be submitted with the application and students cannot request consideration at a later date. No adjustments to scholarship awards will be made after admission and scholarship decisions have been rendered. Receipt of this scholarship is not automatic and only one Parish Scholarship will be awarded per student.

Legacy Grant

Beginning with the Fall 2017 enrollment term, new undergraduate first-year and transfer students who have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who graduated from Catholic University (undergraduate, graduate, law) are eligible for the Legacy Grant, which is a $1,000 grant renewable for up to four years. This award is determined only at the time of admission.

No separate application is required. All new first-year and transfer students who are offered admission and meet the above criteria will automatically receive this grant.