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СÀ¶¾ãÀÖ²¿ / Student Enrollment and Financial Services / Financing a JCU Education / New First-Year Student Scholarships – SEFS

We pride ourselves on ensuring that a JCU education is accessible and affordable for all students and families, regardless of their economic backgrounds. Every year, we distribute numerous scholarship awards to incoming first-year students. We encourage you to read through the information below to learn more about awards for which you may be eligible.

Merit Scholarships

In and out of the classroom, JCU students accomplish a great deal and leave their mark on our campus and in the community. Our merit scholarships are designed to recognize and celebrate what students have accomplished throughout high school in hopes that they will share those talents with us.

When you submit your application for admission, you’ll automatically be considered for merit scholarships. No separate application is required for you to be considered for the Magis, Presidential, University, and Ignatian Awards.

Listed scholarship values automatically renew each year for a total of four years, so long as academic and conduct standards are maintained. You’ll be notified of your merit scholarship at the time of admission. Merit awards are determined based on academic performance, rigor of high school curriculum, and standardized test scores (if submitted).

Merit Scholarship Information

Discovery Grant

Apply for admission to JCU by November 1, 2025 and make an official visit to campus by February 1, 2026 to receive your $2,000 Discovery Visit and Apply Grant.

*Only your application needs to be submitted by November 1—transcripts and other materials are not required by this date. An official visit to JCU includes any in-person visit or event hosted by the JCU Office of Admission.

Eligibility: Only students who are admitted to СÀ¶¾ãÀÖ²¿ as incoming first-year students for the fall of 2026 are eligible for this opportunity. If you are admitted to JCU and meet the criteria, you will receive this grant as part of your JCU financial aid offer.

Legacy Grant

The Legacy Grant is available exclusively to first-year and transfer legacy students enrolling at JCU in fall 2026. Eligible legacy students will automatically qualify to receive this $1,000 grant that will renew annually.  

Eligible legacy students include those students who have had a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or sibling graduate from JCU at the time of enrolling. Applicants should indicate their legacy connection(s), along with their year(s) of graduation, on their application for admission. 

Academic, Alumni, Regional, and Special Interest Scholarship Opportunities

Eligible students will be considered for additional scholarship opportunities at JCU beyond the Merit Scholarship and Legacy Grant. Some of these awards require a separate application, which will be available in your myJCU Gateway portal if you qualify.

We also encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for further financial assistance, including grants, loans, and additional scholarships.

Outside Scholarships

Be sure to research and apply for , which can help you gain additional support for your СÀ¶¾ãÀÖ²¿ educational experience. All legitimate scholarship searches should be free and should not ask for any credit card or bank information. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a scholarship offer or search, please do not hesitate to contact or the .

Explore a of reputable scholarship search engines our students have found helpful.

More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.

Please Note

Students awarded a JCU Faculty and Staff Tuition Grant or a Tuition Exchange Grant via FACHEX, TEP, or CIC-TEP will have all previously earned merit scholarships and grants replaced by the tuition grant.  ROTC Scholarship recipients will also replace any previously earned merit scholarships and grants with these awards.Â