Established in 1873, Vanderbilt University was founded by Cornelius Vanderbilt, and, even today, it continues to carry his name generation after generation. Located in the heart of Nashville, Vanderbilt University’s campus is situated around the natural beauty and parklike landscape.
Ranked as one of the top research institutions in the United States, Vanderbilt University is not only known for its quality education. The renown of Vanderbilt University depends not only on its top-tier education but also on its financial aid.
Committed to drawing talented students from all over the world, Vanderbilt University offers amazing undergraduate experience and also provides graduate schools to provide further guidance. Even though it is a private institution, Vanderbilt University continues to offer great scholarships to its incoming students.
Types of Scholarships Offered by Vanderbilt University
As I have said, Vanderbilt University offers full-ride scholarships to incoming students, and Vanderbilt draws a straight line between merit-based scholarships and need-based assistance. To award academic excellence and only academic-related fields, Vanderbilt does not offer half merit and half need scholarships.
1. Merit-Based Scholarship Programs
There are three scholarship programs that are offered by Vanderbilt University, and they are highly competitive due to its great scholarship benefits. Also, the top 1% of the incoming freshmen class receive these full-ride scholarships, so make sure to do your best if you want to attend Vanderbilt for free.
A. Vanderbilt University Ingram Scholarship Program
Awarding students who have both academic excellence and commitment to service, the Ingram Scholars Program were created by one of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust. To fulfill this commitment, Ingram Scholars are required to spend a certain amount in community and service projects, and they attend Vanderbilt University at no cost.
Scholarship Benefits:
- Full Tuition for Four Years
- Stipend for Service Projects
- Exclusive Ingram Scholar Programs*
*As I have mentioned, these programs are geared to community service, and Ingram Scholars need to complete one special summer service project during their undergraduate career. You might say that the requirements are too much, but I think attending one of the best universities in the US for free is too good to miss.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Apply for Vanderbilt University Admissions
- Apply for Ingram Scholarship Application
- Have the Following Characteristics*
*Commitment to Service, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Personal Character, and Leadership Potential.
After reviewing both admissions and scholarship applications, Vanderbilt University Scholarship Committee will select the finalists for the Ingram Scholar Program. The finalists are required to attend an on-campus event for a personal interview with the Vanderbilt Scholarship Committee.
For Vanderbilt University Ingram Scholarship Program, Click Here.
B. Vanderbilt University Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars
Funded by the Sartain Lanier Family Foundation, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship Program began to further support the merit-based programs offered by Vanderbilt University. Established to honor the vision of Cornelius Vanderbilt, this prestigious scholarship use scholarship money to unite people and culture from around the world.
Scholarship Values:
- Full Tuition for Four Years
- Stipend for Summer Experience
Eligibility Requirements:
- Apply for Vanderbilt Admissions
- Apply for Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship Application
- Show Outstanding Academic Achievements
- Potential Contribution to Society
Same as before, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship Committee review both admissions and scholarship application to determine the scholarship finalists. For Vanderbilt’s Scholars Programs, it is important to not only note the admissions deadline but also the scholarship application deadline.
For Vanderbilt University Cornelius Scholarship Application, Click Here.
C. Vanderbilt University Chancellor’s Scholars
In short, Ingram Scholars were for high achieving students with community service, and Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars were for high achieving students with a potential contribution to society. For Chancellor’s Scholars, there are a different set of eligibility requirements for this group of scholarship recipients.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Demonstrate Servant-Leadership Qualities
- Significantly Interested in the Following Issues*
- Apply for Undergraduate Admissions
- Apply for Chancellor’s Scholarship Application
*Diversity Education, Tolerance, and Social Justice
Scholarship Values:
- Full Tuition for Four Years
- Summer Stipend for Immersive Experience
Funded by Vanderbilt’s alumni, faculty, staff, and other donors, the Chancellor’s Scholars Program was established to create leaders in student’s residence halls and promote a tight-knit community environment in the college campus.
For Vanderbilt University Chancellor’s Scholars, Click Here.
2. Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarships
You might say these merit-based scholarships are similar to the scholarship programs offered by Vanderbilt University, but that is not the case! However, if you are interested in additional scholarship options, it is not a bad idea to check out the Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarships.
For Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarships, Click Here.
Conclusion: Need-Based Assistance?
As I have covered in previous posts, universities offer their own scholarships, and there is another option which is need-based aid. Need-based aid can be divided into two major groups, and there are need-based grants that are university-funded or government-funded.
For need-based aids that are university-funded, recipients can be international students or US Citizens / Permanent Residents, and the eligibility requirements depend on that particular university. On the other hand, need-based aids funded by the federal government or the state government are given only to US Citizens or Permanent Residents.
Even though the eligibility requirements might be different, one similar thing between these two groups is limited funding. Eventually, money runs out after a certain period of time due to the number of applicants, so make sure to apply as early as you can!
That means to apply as soon as the application portal opens, and this applies to scholarship applications and admissions applications as well. I am not saying that applying early will always increase your chance of being accepted, but it is always better to apply early than applying late.
For Vanderbilt University Need-Based Aids, Click Here.
For More Scholarship Posts, Visit Authority Scholarships.
