Scholarships & Grants

At Chowan University, we recognize and reward the hard work and talent of our students. Beginning Fall 2024, new accepted students are automatically considered for one of the following scholarships:

• Presidential Scholarship worth $11,000 a year ($44,000 over four years*)
• Alumni Scholarship worth $9,000 a year ($36,000 over four years*)
• University Scholarship worth $8,000 a year ($32,000 over four years*)
• Founder’s Scholarship worth $5,000 a year ($20,000 over four years*)

Approved commuters may see a reduction of up to $2000 a semester since residential fees are not applicable.

*Please note that merit scholarships are renewable for up to four years of consecutive enrollment, but are dependent upon GPA. If a student drops below the required GPA, scholarship amounts may be reduced. 

Chowan Scholarship Day is incoming students’ chance to earn a valuable scholarship. Scholarship recipients are leaders in their schools, communities, sports teams, and churches. Incoming students attending Chowan Scholarship Day are eligible for one of the three scholarships given on Chowan Scholarship Day:

Leadership Scholarship worth $36,000 over four years of continuous enrollment (That’s $9,000 a year!)

Dean’s Scholarship worth $20,000 over four years of continuous enrollment (That’s $5,000 a year!)

Trustee Scholarship worth $8,000 over four years of continuous enrollment (That’s $2,000 a year!)

A short application, essay, and on-campus interview are required. Interviews are held on select dates in November and January. Your completed application is your registration for Chowan Scholarship Day. Apply online.

Students are eligible to compete for Dean’s and Trustee Scholarships if they are incoming students whose application for admission is accepted into Chowan University. Students are eligible to compete for a Leadership Scholarship if they are incoming students with at least a 2.7-grade point average and are involved in a leadership role.

The Leadership Scholars program offers scholarships to a select group of students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, academic achievement, and service prior to their enrollment at Chowan University. Leadership abilities can be demonstrated by activities such as serving as an officer in a student government association, church youth group leader, captain of a varsity sport, or attainment of other recognitions. Recipients are selected by the Leadership Scholar Selection Committee and are required to participate in an on-campus competition. Leadership Scholarships are renewable for up to three years provided the recipient is enrolled full-time, maintains a cumulative 2.5-grade point average, resides on campus, upholds the standards of the University, and continues to demonstrate strong leadership ability and a commitment to service. The scholarship only applies to fall and spring semesters and does not apply to hours taken in excess of 18 in any semester. Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Dean’s and Trustee Scholarships are renewable for up to three years provided the recipient is enrolled full-time, maintains a cumulative 2.0 grade point average, resides on campus and upholds the standards of the University. The scholarship only applies to fall and spring semesters and does not apply to hours taken in excess of 18 in any semester. Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

**Receiving other awards? Receipt of additional funding may impact your award offer. Questions? Call Financial Aid today.**

Chowan’s Athletic Department grants performance-based scholarships in all sports in compliance with NCAA Division II regulations and guidelines.

Visit the Chowan Athletics website for more information.

Students must complete the online CCSA Scholarship Application and must also seek a vocation in ministry.

The primary purpose of the Chowan Christian Service Association (CSSA) shall be to provide scholarship assistance to worthy and needy students preparing for Christian vocational ministry at Chowan University. This will be accomplished by soliciting funds through gifts, bequests and so forth. In fulfilling this purpose the Association shall provide support to ministerial students. This will be accomplished by encouraging students in their educational and spiritual pursuits and helping the students to find places of service. The secondary purpose of the Association shall be to provide scholarship assistance to full-time Chowan students for University sponsored mission experiences.

Scholarship Requirements:

a.) Scholarship recipients must be full-time students pursuing Bachelor’s Degrees and preparing for full-time Christian vocational ministry. Full-  time students are students who register for twelve or more semester hours of academic work each semester.
b.) Recipients must maintain an overall 2.5 grade point average in their studies or risk non-renewal of their scholarships.
c.) Recipients must be of unquestionable moral character.
d.) Recipients shall be positive proponents of campus Christian life including participation and leadership in activities such as Campus Worship, Gospel Choir, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian concerts, and mission experiences.

Students must audition for a Performance Scholarship. Please contact Dr. Mary Hellmann at hellmm@chowan.edu to schedule an audition.

Scholarships are available to students for all areas of music performance. A student may audition in more than one performance medium. Auditions are held in Briley Recital Hall (in Daniel Hall – see campus map) with no sound amplification. Music chosen for audition should be of an acceptable level of difficulty.

• Singers should prepare two selections in different styles from memory. These should be sung with live piano accompaniment. We will provide an accompanist.
• Instrumentalists should prepare one piece of appropriate solo literature.
• Instrumentalists should be prepared to play major and minor scales.
• Students auditioning in piano and/or organ should be prepared to play two selections representing different style periods.
• Piano and organ students should be prepared to play selected major and minor scales, hands together a minimum of two octaves.
• You will be asked to sight read from a piece of music for your performance medium.
• You will be asked to match pitches in order to assess your tonal memory skills.

All students must be accepted for admission to Chowan University prior to the music audition. The music audition must be performed before enrollment in music coursework.

Auditions may also be scheduled in conjunction with a personal visit at other times at the discretion of the Department of Music and the Admissions Office.

Scholarship for students transferring directly from a community or junior college with at least a 3.0 or honors and 15 hours earned.

At Chowan, we understand that funding education is a critical part of the pursuit of a higher education degree. We strive to make education affordable. For families with more than one student attending Chowan, please complete the request for information below. You must complete a request for each student attending Chowan. Student records will be reviewed for the CU Sibling Grant.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, please apply here.

Beginning Fall 2023, new incoming students from the following counties will be considered for an additional scholarship worth $1,500:

• Hertford (NC)
• Bertie (NC)
• Northampton (NC)
• Halifax (NC)
• Gates (NC)
• Suffolk (VA)*
• Southampton (VA)*

*Students from these counties are not eligible to receive the $1,000 Virginia Assistance Grant in addition to the Close To Home Scholarship.

Part of Chowan University’s vision is to be defined by the opportunities we create, by the lives we transform, and by the futures we shape. We know through outside giving, such as faith-based & church scholarships, many donors share the same investment in students’ educational journey.

With that mutual mission, Chowan is now offering the CU Matching Scholarship. When a faith-based organization/church invests in a student through scholarship funds, the CU Matching Scholarship will be awarded up to $500 a semester for up to two (2) organizations who wish to make scholarship awards.

Criteria:

• Student must be accepted and enrolled as an undergraduate student.
• Student is the recipient of a scholarship from a faith-based organization/church.

Application

No separate application is necessary. Once the Development Office receives a notice of gift and/or check designated for the student, they will notify the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will award the CU Matching Scholarship.

Scholarship Payment Information

Organizations are strongly encouraged to send one scholarship check that will be used to cover the entire academic year (August to May) for the upcoming academic year.

Checks should be made payable to Chowan University, with the memo indicating Church Scholarship for [insert student’s full name]. If an organization wishes to send one single check for multiple students, please send a cover letter providing the full name, and Chowan ID number (if known) of all scholarship recipients and the amount per student.

Mail the check to:

Chowan University
Financial Aid Office
One University Place
Murfreesboro, NC 27855

Award

• Up to $1000 match from Chowan University per student
• Full-time undergraduate enrollment required (minimum 12 credit hours per term)

You may be eligible to receive the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship if:

• You meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
• Your parent or guardian passed away the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer.*
• You were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

• Annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) AND
• Submit the request form
• For the first year – provide the Financial Aid Office supporting documentation confirming scholarship eligibility. Documentation may include:
  • A written letter of determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who passed away in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer*
  • Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer consistent with the definition in 42 U.S.C. 3796b, or as a fire police officer as noted above; or
  • Other third-party documentation that describes or reports the occupation and circumstances of the passing of the parent or guardian.

• As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
• A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

• You are pursuing your first bachelor’s degree.
• You are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements.
• Your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.
• You were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.

You must have a valid FAFSA on file and submit all requested documents listed in your NetPartner account. The Department of Defense will identify eligible individuals once the FAFSA is submitted.

The maximum award of the IASG is equal to the maximum Federal Pell Grant that is available for the award year, but cannot exceed your cost of attendance when coordinated with your other financial aid awards. If enrolled less than full time, the grant will be prorated.

You must submit the FAFSA every year that you are enrolled, continue to meet the general eligibility criteria and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please be aware that the federal government has established a lifetime limit of no more than 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent) for eligible students.