All applicants are considered for one of our merit scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 a year. Additionally, you may apply for a talent scholarship in art, music or writing, or one of our scholarship programs for underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students. Need-based grants are available for students who qualify for financial aid.

Academic Merit Scholarships

Our merit scholarships recognize academic excellence and spirited involvement in school or community activities. Recipients are notified upon receiving their decision letters. Scholarships are renewable all four years with satisfactory academic progress. All first-year applicants are considered for these awards, without regard to financial need. No additional application is required.

These scholarships, worth $25,000 per year, are designed to recognize students for specific characteristics related to their academic interests and talents as well as the diverse backgrounds they bring to the community. While there are no specific grade point averages or scores that recipients must obtain to be considered for these scholarships, recipients are often at or near the top of their class and have received other selective scholarships or talent recognition programs, such as National Merit Scholarships, National Achievement Scholarships Program, National Hispanic Scholarships, or National Council of Teachers of English awards.

Honors Scholarships are awarded to students who represent excellence in the liberal arts, and Science Scholars are those students who show promise to excel in the natural sciences.

This scholarship program recognizes outstanding students whose academic achievement, leadership potential, and accomplishments in activities place them in the top 10 to 15 percent of admitted students. These scholarships are awarded at $15,000 per year.

Actor Paul Newman, who was also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, graduated from Kenyon College in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in drama and economics. In 2007, he endowed the Newman's Own Foundation Scholarship fund, providing support for deserving students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, with priority given to those from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students. Students are selected on the basis of their intellectual engagement, creativity, community service, and leadership. These scholarships eliminate the loan portion of the financial aid package and are renewable for four years.

Kenyon Promise Scholarships are awarded to students who show promise for extraordinary academic achievement. These scholarships are awarded at $10,000 per year.

Kenyon sponsors scholarships for students who are selected as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. The College enrolls one of the highest per capita numbers of National Merit Scholars of any college in the region and exceeds the percentage at many of the nation's other highly selective colleges. The amount awarded through the National Merit Program will be $1,000 per year.

Talent Scholarships

Kenyon also offers a number of competitive scholarships in writing, music and studio art. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of talent, not eligibility for aid, and renewable for  all 4 years. In general, talent scholarships cannot be stacked on top of academic scholarships. Students who are eligible for both types of scholarships will receive an enhanced award greater than the highest individual scholarship. There are separate application forms and deadlines for each of these talent based scholarships.

Kenyon awards studio art scholarships of $25,000 per year, renewable every year for each recipient's four-year Kenyon career. These scholarships are based on merit alone and are awarded for exemplary ability in studio art. Scholarship recipients are expected to take studio art courses each year and encouraged to major or minor in studio art. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the scholarship.

Kenyon awards music scholarships of $25,000 per year, renewable every year for each recipient's four-year Kenyon career. These scholarships are based on merit alone and are awarded for exemplary musical ability in any instrumental or vocal category in which the Department of Music offers private instruction. Scholarship recipients are under no obligation to major or minor in music. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the scholarships.

This scholarship recognizes a talented writer, providing $25,000 per year. It is renewable for four years, under the same rules that apply to all of Kenyon's merit scholarships. The winner is selected based on an evaluation of the Common Application or Coalition Application essay and other material that they may wish to submit. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of talent, not eligibility for aid. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the scholarship.

This scholarship, recognizing writing talent, will be awarded with preference to a graduate of the Kenyon Review Young Writers program for high school students. Young Writers graduates who apply to Kenyon will automatically be considered for the scholarship, which provides $25,000 per year. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of talent, not eligibility for aid. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the scholarship.

Scholarship Programs

Two scholarship programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students, eliminate the loan and work-study portions of a need-based financial aid package for all four years. Each includes an intensive five-week summer experience and requires a separate application.

Kenyon Educational Enrichment Program Scholarships will be awarded to selected students who are from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students. Scholars are selected on the basis of their intellectual engagement and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through leadership or service. These scholarships eliminate the loan and work-study portions of a need-based financial aid package for all four years, and include a $500 book allowance for the first year of classes. KEEP Scholars must also participate in the five-week KEEP Summer Experience, which includes two credit-bearing courses, cohort-building, and a $1,000 stipend. Costs for on-campus housing, meals, tuition, and stipend are all covered by the program for selected students. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the KEEP scholarship

KEEP Program

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarships will be awarded to selected STEM-interested students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, with priority given to those from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students. Scholars are selected on the basis of their intellectual engagement, motivation, and potential for academic success in STEM fields. These scholarships eliminate the loan and work-study portions of a need-based financial aid package for all four years, include a $500 annual book and supply allowance, and a one-time allowance of $1,000 to be used towards the purchase of a laptop and scientific software. STEM Scholars join KEEP Scholars in the intensive five-week KEEP summer experience, which includes two credit-bearing courses, cohort-building, and a $1,000 stipend. Costs for on-campus housing, meals, tuition, and stipend are all covered by the program for selected students. Learn more about eligibility and requirements for the scholarship

STEM Scholars Program.

Grants

Need-based grants are available for students who qualify for financial aid.

The Kenyon College Need-Based Grant is made available by the College and is supported by endowments, gifts to Kenyon, and College operating funds. The amount of the grant is determined based on the need demonstrated on the student's financial aid applications. Grants are awarded on an annual basis and require a new financial aid application each year to determine eligibility.

 

Some states provide need-based grants that may be incorporated into a Kenyon financial aid package. Eligibility is typically determined by completing the FAFSA according to deadlines established by each state. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant and Pennsylvania State Grant are two common need-based grant programs available to qualified residents in those states.

Federal Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government based on the FAFSA application. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) are administered by Kenyon College with funds also provided by the federal government. Both programs are available to students with exceptional need and incorporated into a Kenyon need-based financial aid package.

Other Scholarships

Scholarship and grant opportunities are often available from a variety of sources and students are encouraged to seek out these opportunities to help finance their education

Outside scholarships must be reported to ensure that financial aid awards remain in compliance with federal regulations. In most cases, receipt of merit-based scholarships from non-Kenyon sources (outside scholarships) will not affect the amount of grant and scholarship assistance that a student receives from Kenyon if the total amount of outside scholarships does not exceed $10,000 and/or the student's cost of attendance.

Any additional amount of outside scholarships earned beyond ten thousand will reduce the Kenyon Need Based Grant within the financial aid package.  Need-based grants, entitlements, and benefits from federal, state, or other sources (including tuition benefits from student/parent employers) also replace the Kenyon Need Based Grant.

Outside scholarships may replace packaged self-help (loans and employment) only when the total package including the outside scholarship exceeds the cost of attendance.  Additionally, a student's total aid package cannot exceed a student's cost of attendance in a given year. When all grants and scholarships exceed the cost of attendance, the Kenyon Need Based Grant will be reduced. 

Be sure to avoid scholarship scams...

Common Scholarship Search Engines: 

www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com bold.org/applicants

The Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship will support a student from Logan County, Ohio, with up to $18,000 in financial aid over four years. Preference is given to students who are interested in majoring in mathematics or a related field. Read more about the scholarshipHear from a scholarship recipient.

Kenyon is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, offered through the Veterans Administration. Additional information about the Yellow Ribbon Program may be found on the United States Department of Veteran Affairs website.