Gardner-Webb University offers the following Institutional Scholarships and Grants for our Traditional Undergraduate Students:
Scholarship and Grant award amounts range up to $20,000 depending on the student’s academic profile and whether the student is an on-campus resident or off campus commuter. In order to determine the amount of institutional scholarship or grant you are eligible to receive, you must first apply and be accepted to Gardner-Webb. Your award amount will be included in your acceptance letter from the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Institutional scholarships require a student to be enrolled full time (12 hours or more) and maintain a grade point average in accordance with the institution’s Scholarship Maintenance Policy.
*Please note that your yearly scholarship amount cannot be used for one semester and is not able to be transferred to a graduate program or online program.
The Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving traditional undergraduate student who exemplifies the attributes highlighted in Mark 12:30. Each year, a full-ride scholarship will be awarded to one student who stands apart from other applicants by the depth of his/her character, faith, and service-driven life. The recipient will be required to demonstrate how he/she can thrive in the challenges of Gardner-Webb’s academic environment and graduate prepared to live out the university’s motto making a difference for God and humanity.
The Ignite Excellence Scholarship interviews serve as an opportunity for qualified students to compete for our most competitive academic scholarships. Held in February, these interviews are comprised of three parts designed to help the selection committee determine the candidates that exemplify academic excellence. After being accepted to the university, selected accepted students will be invited to participate in Ignite Excellence. After all applications have been received, candidates will be notified of their interview date.
Below is a list of scholarships that students will compete for during the interview process:
* Provided the recipient is enrolled full-time, maintains a cumulative institutional grade point average of 3.5, resides on campus, and continues to demonstrate a strong leadership ability and commitment to service.
Please NOTE: The Ignite Excellence Scholarship does not apply to hours taken over 18 in any semester, does not apply to summer terms or other program costs such as GEM, graduate programs, or online programs, and does not cover the expense of books, fees, and/or music lessons. Scholarships are divided equally between the fall and spring semesters when awarded. If a student is selected for the Ignite Excellence Scholarship, any previous offer of scholarship aid is rescinded.
*Outside sources of federal and state aid such as Pell, NC Need Based Scholarship, could reduce the value of the Academic Fellows.
Athletic Scholarships are awarded by each individual coach and shared with the Financial Planning Office. Gardner-Webb University (GWU) offers scholarships for the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling. Any questions concerning eligibility for a scholarship should be directed to the coach of the sport of interest. If a student receives a financial aid award and an athletic scholarship is not listed, please contact the coach of the sport of interest. Your non-athletic aid will be reduced once the athletic scholarship is added to your financial aid package.
Honors Music Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s performance from an on campus audition. The Music faculty selects recipients and shares them with the Financial Planning Office. Scholarships are renewed based on performance throughout the academic year.
Marching Band Scholarships are awarded by the band director and shared with the Financial Planning Office. The award amount is $1000 and is based on participation in the band.
Gardner-Webb Introduces The Foothills Commitment. This funding commitment for residents of Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Rutherford counties is our commitment to new freshmen students set to enroll in a full-time residential undergraduate program at GWU. It’s a guaranteed $16,885 or more in institutional gift aid, which is a minimum of 50 percent of tuition.
The reduced rate is renewable, and Cleveland, Gaston , Lincoln and Rutherford county residents who apply to GWU and meet the qualifications will automatically be a part of the program. Students will also need to file the (FAFSA) form. The “Foothills Commitment” will be inclusive of all institutional, federal and state grant programs.
The Foothills Nursing Promise makes advanced nursing education accessible and affordable. It is designed explicitly for Cleveland, Rutherfordton, and Gaston Counties residents and graduates from ADN programs within these areas. It unlocks a gateway to significant tuition savings, offering 50% off tuition to the Davis RN-BSN Program.
The Piedmont Promise offers new freshmen from Mecklenburg County a guarantee of $16,885 or more in institutional gift aid, which is a minimum of 50 percent of tuition. This reduced rate is renewable to Mecklenburg residents who apply to GWU and meet the freshmen qualifications and will automatically be part of the program. Students will need to file the FAFSA and be a residential student. The Piedmont Promise will be inclusive of all institutional, federal and state grant programs.
Gardner-Webb University values its partnerships with churches to prepare graduates for lives of service to God and humanity. To enhance this relationship, GWU expanded its Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent scholarship programs.
Church Matching scholarships will now be offered to traditional undergraduate students, who receive a scholarship from any Christian church. All undergraduate students must submit the application in the Fall semester on or before August 31st for the entire academic year. Gardner-Webb will match a scholarship from a Christian church/Christian organization—dollar for dollar—up to the cost of tuition (including all GW aid as well as the church matching amount) if submitted on or before the deadline. If the application is submitted after the deadline, the scholarship will not be matched and will only be awarded as an outside scholarship for the exact amount of the check. The original application and check will be split between the fall and spring semesters. Only one church scholarship will be matched for each student. Additional requirements are listed on the Church Matching application.
Minister’s Dependent Scholarships are awarded to a dependent student (as labeled by the IRS-—does not include a spouse) of a full-time, ordained minister or an ordained, full-time employee of a Christian church or Christian church-related agency. The application deadline is August 1, and the award amount is $5,500 for the year ($2750 per semester).
Over $500,000 in scholarships and grants was awarded last year to our students. Recipients of scholarships and grants must be enrolled in the School of Divinity, complete the Student Aid Profile form, and meet certain financial need criteria to qualify.
This scholarship awards a male from Cleveland County, N.C. full tuition, room, and board, and $800 per year for books for one of the traditional on-campus undergraduate programs at Gardner-Webb University.
This award was created to give access to GWU for a student who is not a recruited athlete or included on a team roster. Renewable for up to 8 semesters provided the student maintains satisfactory academic performance and good standing in the community.
A scholarship application is required to be reviewed by The Andrews Scholarship selection committed. The application must be submitted by April 1, 2022. Candidates must meet these criteria:
The endowed Searight Leadership Award shall provide need- and merit-based financial support to first-generation college students who exhibit an aptitude and an appetite for leadership. This award will provide access to the knowledge and skills that will enable graduates to become catalysts for good throughout society and within America’s corporate structure. It is intended that a freshman receive the award and the award last for up to four (4) years. Award criteria is as follows:
Application Requirements:
The scholarships mentioned below have a separate application process are awarded based on specific criteria but can be on top of other academic scholarships. If you have further questions regarding these scholarships, please contact your admissions counselor.
The Luther Butler Scholarship for NC Baptist StudentsThis scholarship is awarded to selected students who are members of North Carolina Baptist churches cooperating with the NC Baptist State Convention. The funds are awarded and approved through the NC Baptist Foundation. A separate online application must be completed prior to February 15th. (Must reapply each year).
Christian Service OrganizationThis award is available to those students preparing for full-time Christian vocational service. The application must be completed as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Award amounts vary from $500 – up to 30% of tuition depending upon the student’s demonstrated financial need as determined by the results of the (FAFSA).
GWU Legacy ScholarshipGardner-Webb is pleased to provide a $500 Legacy Grant to students who have a Parent, Grandparent, or Sibling that graduated from Gardner-Webb University. This scholarship is for full-time, traditional undergraduate students. Click here for more information from our Alumni Office about Legacy Students.
To help make a high-quality college education financially accessible to more families, Gardner-Webb University is an active participant and member in the “Tuition Rewards” scholarship program, sponsored by SAGE Scholars. The unique program operates like a frequent flyer rewards program – but for college tuition!
By investing or saving with participating banks, credit unions, 529 Plans and other financial institutions, family members can earn “points” (similar to frequent flyer miles) to provide family members with guaranteed minimum scholarships at a national consortium of participating independent colleges, including Gardner-Webb University. The points can be redeemed for up to $29,145, spread evenly over four undergraduate years, starting with the freshman year.
The Tuition Rewards program is coordinated nationally by the independent organization, SAGE Scholars. SAGE stands for Savings And Growth for Education (SAGE). The Tuition Rewards scholarships are provided regardless of the income or assets of the Student or the Student’s family.
The Sponsors of participating students must transfer Tuition Rewards Points to their students at any time prior to the August 31st of the year that 12th grade starts. After that date, a student’s Tuition Rewards point value cannot be changed.
The Sponsor must submit the Student’s Tuition Rewards statement to Gardner-Webb University at the time the Student applies for admission. This is done by the Sponsor by logging onto the “Account Statement” page at www.tuitionrewards.com and forwarding the information to Gardner-Webb University roughly concurrent with the Student’s application to Gardner-Webb. Statements submitted after Gardner-Webb has prepared a financial aid package for the student may invalidate use of Tuition Rewards.
If the prospective Student does not attend Gardner-Webb University or another Tuition Rewards participating college, the Sponsor may recover and re-use assigned Reward Points if done within three years of the student’s high school graduation.
