Scholarships and Grants

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Office of Financial Aid
P: 847-628-2530

Scholarships and Grants

Financial aid is an integral part of the college and admission experience for virtually all students, and 99% of Judson students receive some form of financial aid. Our Financial Aid Team is always here to help you with finding and securing scholarships and grants.

Undergraduate Grants

Grants are gift assistance awarded on the basis of financial aid that does not require repayment. *Judson scholarships and grants are not guaranteed after May 1.

Federal Grants

FEDERAL PELL GRANT:

  • PELL Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.
  • If you’re eligible for a PELL Grant you’ll receive the full amount you qualify for.
  • Each school participating in the program receives enough funds to pay the PELL amounts for all its eligible students.
  • The amount of other student aid you may qualify for does not affect the amount of your PELL Grant.
  • The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025-2026, for the period (July 1, 2025).
  • You may receive only one PELL Grant in an award year, and you may not receive PELL Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG):

  • SEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. 
  • The Judson maximum award amount is $600 a year.
  • Each school participating in SEOG receives a certain amount of SEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. When all of those funds have been disbursed for that award year, no more SEOG awards can be made for that year.

State Grants

ILLINOIS MONETARY AWARD PROGRAM (MAP)

  • By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.
  • The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a “State of IL MAP Grant (Est)”. Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.
  • For the 2025-2026 award year, the maximum amount of eligibility is capped at $8,064. Full MAP eligibility requires a student to be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits.
  • There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of fulltime enrollment.
  • For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at www.studentportal.isac.org
  •  Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or childcare for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359- 2163 or www.ilhunger.org.

Judson Institutional Grant Aid*

JUDSON GRANT

  • This grant is given based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA and does not require repayment
  • Amount varies based on need

CHURCH MATCHING GRANT

  • This grant is available to qualifying Judson students. If your church donates funds toward your education Judson will match that donation up to $1,000 for each academic year.
  • Applications and checks must be received before August 1. Download the Church Matching Grant Application.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The rates below will take effect for traditional undergraduate students enrolling full time for the first time at Judson in or after the 2024-2025 academic year. *Judson scholarships and grants are not guaranteed after May 1.

Judson Institutional Scholarships*

ACADEMIC MERIT AWARDS

  • The Scholarships below are based on a combination of ACT/SAT score and High School GPA.
  • To calculate your scholarship, please use our Net Price Calculator.
  • Student must maintain full-time status and good academic standing to renew award on a yearly basis.
First Time Freshman Students
  • President’s Scholarship
    • Award amount $14,000
    • Based on Combination ACT/SAT score and High School GPA
  • Dean’s Scholarship
    • Award Amount up to $12,000
    • Based on Combination ACT/SAT score and High School GPA
  • Faculty Scholarship
    • Award Amount up to $10,000
    • Based on Combination ACT/SAT score and High School GPA
  • University Scholarship
    • Award amount $8,000
    • Based on Combination ACT/SAT score and High School GPA
Transfer Students
  • President’s Scholarship
    • Award Amount $11,000
    • College GPA greater than 3.59
    • Transfer credits greater than 27
  • Dean’s Scholarships
    • Award Amount $10,000
    • College GPA greater than 3.29 and less than 3.6
    • Transfer credits greater than 27
  • Faculty Scholarship
    • Award Amount $9,000
    • College GPA greater than 2.99 and less than 3.30
    • Transfer credits greater than 27
  • University Scholarship
    • Award Amount $8,000
    • College GPA greater than 2.49 and less than 3.0
    • Transfer credits greater than 27
  • Transfer Scholarship
    • Award Amount $1,000
    • Transfer credits greater than 28

OPPORTUNITY AWARD

  • Available for new students not receiving an academic merit award
  • Also based on ACT/SAT and High School or College GPA
  • Student must maintain good academic standing to renew award on a yearly basis
  • Award amount $6,000 for Transfers
  • Award amount $6,000 for Freshman

ALUMNI AWARD

  • Student must be a dependent of a parent who graduated from Judson University (College)
  • Please let us know if your parents have graduated from Judson University (College) 
  • Award amount $1,000

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS

  • These scholarships are offered by our coaches in each program
  • Amounts vary
  • Contact Athletics for more information.

SPIRIT SQUAD SCHOLARSHIPS

  • These scholarships are offered for Spirit Squad roles of Cheer and Dance, AJ Eagle Mascot, and Blue Crew Leadership 
  • Amounts vary
  • Contact Bonnie Bienert, Executive Director for Spirit Squad, for more information.
  • Amounts vary

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

  • These scholarships are offered by the Music department
  • Auditions are required and may be scheduled by contacting your admissions counselor
  • Amounts vary
  • Contact Dr. Warren Anderson, Director the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts, for more information.

THEATER SCHOLARSHIPS

  • These scholarships are offered by the Theater department
  • Auditions are required and may be scheduled by contacting your admissions counselor
  • Amounts vary
  • Contact Dr. Warren Anderson for more information.

ART MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

  • These scholarships are offered by the Department of Art and Design to incoming art and design majors 
  • Portfolios are reviewed by art and design faculty 
  • Renewable for up to four years
  • Amounts vary
  • Download Art Merit Scholarship Information
  • Contact Jeffery Carl, Chair of Art and Design, for more information

Outside Scholarships*

Dr. Samuel Bride SCHOLARSHIP For Future Doctors

Dr Erik Goluboff Scholarship for Future Doctors

  • Scholarship Amount: Award of $1,000 to a Single Student
  • Deadline: Deadline for this scholarship is June 15, 2025
  • Applicant should be a current student at a university in the United States or high school student that will attend university in pursuit of a medical degree.
  • Scholarship details and information: https://drerikgoluboffscholarship.com/dr-erik-goluboff-scholarship/

GOTRANSCRIPT ACADemic Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Amount: $5,000
  • Deadline: Applications are accepted year round
  • Requirements:
    • Applicant must be a high school senior or current full-time college freshman.
    • Participants must register using your university or college issued email.
  • Scholarship Essay’s Prompt:
    • Briefly talk about yourself and your academic/career short-term and long-term goals. Then, answer the following questions:
      1. What have you learned from your experience(s)? Examples may include: community service, volunteer work, employment, school clubs, sports, family, etc.
      2. Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your field of study and your future goals.
    • Write 500 to 1,000-word essay on the following topic: Share a story about how language has helped you express your voice.
  • To proceed, please write an email to [email protected]
  • Scholarship details and information: https://gotranscript.com/scholarship-program

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