Scholarship details
Do you have a passion for learning, leadership, and service that sets you apart? If yes, you might be eligible for a merit scholarship at Tulane University.
Tulane University is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana that offers a variety of academic programs, ranging from liberal arts and sciences to engineering and business. Tulane is known for its excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement and its vibrant and diverse campus culture. Tulane is also committed to making education accessible and affordable to all qualified students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
One of the ways that Tulane supports its students is by offering merit scholarships, which are awards based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. These scholarships are highly competitive and require a separate application process. The scholarships cover a portion or the total tuition cost; some also include additional benefits, such as travel grants, research opportunities, and mentorship. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as the recipients maintain satisfactory academic performance and meet the specific requirements of each scholarship.
If you want to apply for a merit scholarship at Tulane, read the following information carefully and follow the instructions accordingly.
Scholarship Provider
The scholarship provider is Tulane University, a prestigious institution of higher education founded in 1834 as the Medical College of Louisiana. Tulane is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of 65 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. Tulane has a total enrollment of over 14,000 students, of which about 9,000 are undergraduates. Tulane has 10 schools and colleges, offering over 75 majors and minors in various disciplines. Tulane also has a strong reputation for its social innovation and civic engagement initiatives, such as the Center for Public Service, the Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, and the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking.
Eligible Applicants
The eligible applicants for the merit scholarships are students who have applied for admission to Tulane University as first-year, full-time, degree-seeking students. The applicants must meet the following criteria:
- They must have a high school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- They must have a solid academic record, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
- They must have a competitive SAT or ACT score or submit a portfolio or video instead of standardized testing.
- They must have demonstrated leadership, service, and/or talent in their extracurricular activities, such as athletics, arts, clubs, or community organizations.
- They must have a compelling personal statement that showcases their personality, goals, and potential impact.
Host Country
The host country for the merit scholarships is the United States of America, which is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, and several territories. The United States is one of the world’s most diverse and multicultural countries, with over 330 million people representing various ethnic, racial, religious, and linguistic backgrounds. The United States is also a global leader in economy, politics, culture, science, and technology, offering many opportunities and challenges for students and professionals. The scholarship recipients will study at Tulane University, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, a major port and cultural center in the southern region of the United States. New Orleans is famous for its rich history, music, cuisine, and festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
Scholarship Worth
The scholarship worth varies depending on the type and level of the merit scholarship. Tulane offers four types of merit scholarships: the Paul Tulane Award, the Dean’s Honor Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, and the Premier Scholarships. The details of each scholarship are as follows:
- The Paul Tulane Award is the most prestigious and selective merit scholarship at Tulane, covering the full cost of tuition for four years. The award also includes a one-time $5,000 travel grant for an international educational experience. The award is given to about 50 students per year, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and leadership potential. The award requires a separate application consisting of two creative essays and a resume. The application deadline is December 5, 2023.
- The Dean’s Honor Scholarship is the second-highest merit scholarship at Tulane, covering half of the cost of tuition for four years. The scholarship also includes a one-time $5,000 travel grant for an international educational experience. The scholarship is given to about 150 students annually who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The scholarship requires a separate application consisting of a short essay and a resume. The application deadline is January 15, 2024.
- The Presidential Scholarship is the third-highest merit scholarship at Tulane, covering $32,000 per year for four years. The scholarship is given to about 500 students annually who demonstrate high academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The scholarship does not require a separate application, as all applicants for admission are automatically considered for the scholarship. The scholarship notification will be sent along with the admission decision by April 1, 2024.
- The Premier Scholarships are the fourth-highest merit scholarships at Tulane, covering $20,000 to $30,000 per year for four years. The scholarships are given to about 1,000 students yearly who demonstrate high academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The scholarships also have specific themes and requirements, such as diversity, community service, research, or entrepreneurship. The scholarships do not require a separate application, as all applicants for admission are automatically considered for the scholarships. The scholarship notification is sent along with the admission decision by April 1, 2024.
Level and Field of Study
The level of study for the merit scholarships is undergraduate, and the field of study is any major or minor offered by Tulane University. The scholarships are not restricted to any specific school or college within Tulane, and the recipients are free to choose their own course of study, as long as they meet the academic requirements and standards of the university. The scholarships are also compatible with other academic programs and opportunities at Tulane, such as the Honors Program, the Altman Program in International Studies and Business, the Center for Academic Equity, and the Newcomb Scholars Program.
How to Apply
The application process for the merit scholarships varies depending on the type and level of the scholarship. The general steps are as follows:
- Step 1: Apply for admission to Tulane University as a first-year, full-time, degree-seeking student. The application deadline is November 15, 2023 for Early Action and Early Decision, and January 15, 2024 for Regular Decision. The application requires the submission of the following documents:
- A completed online application form, either through the Common Application or the Coalition Application
- A $75 application fee or a fee waiver request
- An official high school transcript or equivalent
- An official SAT or ACT score report or a portfolio or video in lieu of standardized testing
- A counselor recommendation
- A teacher recommendation
- A personal statement
- A list of extracurricular activities
- Step 2: Apply for the merit scholarship of your choice, if applicable. The application deadlines are December 5, 2023 for the Paul Tulane Award, and January 15, 2024 for the Dean’s Honor Scholarship. The application requires the submission of the following documents:
- A completed online application form, which can be accessed through the Tulane Application Status Portal
- A creative essay, based on the prompt provided by the scholarship
- A resume, highlighting your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities
- Step 3: Wait for the admission and scholarship decisions, which will be sent by email and mail by April 1, 2024. The decisions will include the details of the scholarship, such as the amount, duration, and conditions. The recipients will also receive an invitation to attend the Scholars Weekend, which is a special event for the merit scholarship recipients to visit the campus, meet the faculty and staff, and interact with other scholars.
The applicants will be automatically considered for the merit scholarships based on the holistic review of their admission applications. The applicants will be notified of the admission and scholarship decisions by December 15, 2023 for Early Action and Early Decision, and by April 1, 2024 for Regular Decision.
Countries that can Apply
The countries that can apply for the scholarships are all countries in the world. The scholarships are open to students from all countries and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. The scholarships are awarded based on the academic merit and potential of the applicants, regardless of their financial need or citizenship status.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the scholarships are the same as the eligibility criteria for the admission to the university, as mentioned above. In addition, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
- They must not have received another scholarship from Tulane University or any other organization for the same program.
- They must enroll as full-time undergraduate students at Tulane University in the fall semester of 2024 and remain enrolled for four years.
- They must abide by the academic and conduct policies of Tulane University and uphold the values of the university community.
Scholarship Deadline
The scholarship deadline is December 12, 2023. The applicants must apply for admission to Tulane University by this date to be considered for the merit scholarships. The applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, as the admission and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis. The applicants can check the status of their application online and contact the admission office for any inquiries.
