AFFORDABILITY AT GARDNER-WEBB
The Open Door Guarantee
FREE
TUITION
NO
LOANS
PERSONAL ATTENTION
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Opening the Door to an Affordable Private, Christian Education
At Gardner-Webb University, we believe the opportunity to pursue a private, Christian education should not be limited by what a family can afford.
That’s why we’re opening the door to greater affordability through The Open Door Guarantee.
Beginning fall 2027, eligible new undergraduate students from families with an income of $100,000 or less* can have 100% of their standard tuition and mandatory university fees covered through scholarships and grants.
And wherever you call home, the door may be open to you. Eligible students from any U.S. state can qualify.
It’s one more way Gardner-Webb is making the personal experience, Christian foundation and lasting value of a private university education accessible to more students and families.
Could Your Gardner-Webb Tuition and Fees Be Covered?
For qualifying students, The Open Door Guarantee covers 100% of standard undergraduate tuition and mandatory university fees through scholarships and grants. No loans are used to fulfill the Guarantee.
You may qualify if you:
✓ Family income of $100,000 or less*
✓ New freshman or transfer student
✓ Entering Fall 2027 or Spring 2028**
✓ Full-time Traditional Undergraduate student
✓ Pursuing your first bachelor’s degree
✓ Complete the FAFSA
No separate application is required. Apply to Gardner-Webb and complete the FAFSA, and we’ll help you determine whether you qualify.
What Does Tuition-Free Mean?
Mandatory Fees
the Guarantee
First-Time Freshmen*
For eligible students, scholarships and grants combine to cover 100% of standard full-time Traditional Undergraduate tuition and mandatory university fees. No loans are used to fulfill the Guarantee.
For eligible first-time freshmen, the Guarantee can continue for up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters, as long as you continue to meet eligibility requirements each year—providing greater affordability and predictability as you plan for college.
The Guarantee does not cover the full cost of attending college. Expenses such as housing, meals, books, transportation and other educational costs are not included, although additional financial aid may be available to help with those expenses.
More Than One Path to Affordability
The Open Door Guarantee is one way Gardner-Webb is making a private, Christian education more affordable. But it’s not the only path.
3.5 GPA? You May Qualify for 50% Off Tuition.
Qualifying first-time freshman undergraduate students with a 3.5 weighted GPA or higher may receive a merit scholarship equal to 50% of tuition, creating another significant opportunity to reduce the cost of a Gardner-Webb education.
Gardner-Webb also offers additional scholarships, grants and financial aid opportunities based on individual eligibility.
The Value of a Gardner-Webb Education
A Private Education. A Christian Foundation. A Community Invested in You.
Making college more affordable matters, but affordability is only part of the equation. The value of an education is also measured by what it prepares you to do and who it prepares you to become.
Employed or accepted into graduate school by graduation
Average Class Size
of admitted Traditional Undergraduate students receive scholarships
At Gardner-Webb, students experience the advantages of a private university within a supportive Christian community where they are known, challenged and encouraged to grow.
Students learn from faculty who know them personally and bring their expertise into the classroom. Learning extends beyond the classroom through research, internships, service, leadership, athletics, the arts and hands-on experiences that help students connect what they’re learning to where they want to go.
And because Christian faith is central to Gardner-Webb’s identity, students are encouraged to explore important questions of faith, purpose and calling as they prepare for their careers and their lives.
It’s an education designed to prepare you for more than your first job. It’s preparation to lead, serve and make a meaningful difference.
An Open Door to What's Possible
The Open Door Guarantee is about more than making college affordable. It’s about opening the way to the experiences, relationships and opportunities that can shape who you become.
At Gardner-Webb, you’ll be challenged to discover your strengths, deepen your purpose and prepare for what comes next—in your career, your community and your life.
The door is open. See what you can become… and More.
*For purposes of The Open Door Guarantee, income eligibility is based on family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as determined through the FAFSA and confirmed by Gardner-Webb University.
**The Open Door Guarantee is subject to enrollment, available funding and the continuation of applicable federal and state aid programs. Gardner-Webb reserves the right to modify or discontinue the program in its discretion.
The Open Door Guarantee is available to qualifying students and is subject to applicable eligibility requirements. Program terms and awards are subject to change.