Undergraduate Student Scholarships

Good scholarship is a combination of excellence, hard work, and strong values. We believe that in order to build a community of high achievers, we must recognize those who have already found great success.

Many students ask us about the availability of scholarships at Emerson College. Although we have institutional grant money set aside to assist students who may have financial need, our merit scholarships are awarded to students based on a variety of non-need factors such as academic achievements, leadership, engagement in their area of interest, and match to Emerson.

The Admission Office awards all merit scholarships in partnership with various scholarship committees.

Dean's Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students at the top of Emerson's applicant pool who have demonstrated academic distinction within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, ability to manage adversity, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. For students entering the College in 2012, the amount of the Dean's Scholarship was $14,000 annually.

Students are required to enroll full-time and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The award is renewable for up to eight semesters. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Trustees Scholarship

This is a half-tuition scholarship given to applicants accepted into the Honors Program. Student are required to enroll full-time and maintain a 3.3 GPA (3.0 GPA in the Honors curriculum). It is renewable for up to eight semesters.

A separate Honors Program application must be submitted with your admission application in order to be considered for this scholarship.

Next Step Emerson Scholarship (Transfer Applicants)

This scholarship offers transfer applicants from select community colleges the opportunity to receive a half-tuition credit toward the cost of full-time matriculation. Currently, students who matriculate at the following community colleges are eligible:

• Borough of Manhattan Community College (NY)
• Bristol Community College (MA)
• Broward College (FL)
• Bunker Hill Community College (MA)
• Massasoit Community College (MA)
• Miami Dade College (FL)
• Montgomery College (MD)
• Nassau Community College (NY)
• Onondaga Community College (NY)
• Roxbury Community College (MA)
• Santa Monica College (CA)

Students must have earned an associate's degree from one of the participating community colleges (or have an associate's degree by the time they matriculate at Emerson) and have a 3.2 GPA to apply. Students who apply for this scholarship must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. To continue to receive this scholarship at Emerson, a 3.0 GPA must be maintained while you are enrolled. 

A separate Next Step Emerson Scholarship application must be submitted in addition to your admission application in order to be considered for this scholarship. The Next Step Emerson Scholarship is only offered to applicants for fall enrollment.

Next Step Emerson Scholarship Application »

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

To be considered eligible, students must earn an Associate’s Degree from an accredited community college and be an official member in good standing of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Students must have a 3.5 GPA to apply and complete the PTK scholarship application and submit a 300-word essay along with a counselor recommendation prior to April 2. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment and students must apply for transfer admission by March 15. Students who apply for this scholarship must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. To continue to receive this scholarship, a 3.0 GPA must be maintained. Also, if a student is awarded a Next Step Emerson scholarship, they cannot be considered for a PTK scholarship.

A separate Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship application must be submitted in addition to your admission application in order to be considered for this scholarship. The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is only offered to applicants for fall enrollment.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Application »

Other Merit Scholarships

There are a variety of other scholarships available through the Admission Office that can vary year to year. If you qualify for any of these merit scholarships, the Admission Committee will nominate you. As with most of our merit awards, there is not an application process for these additional scholarships.