Freshman Merit Awards

2025-26 Merit Awards for Freshmen

New residential full-time HCU freshmen admits will be considered for one of the following awards. Recipients must meet all university requirements for regular admission to the fall or spring semester. Freshman merit awards are applied only to the fall and spring semesters — they cannot be applied towards summer courses.

Actual scholarship award amounts may vary depending on other merit-based awards (i.e., Raise.Me). If a student submits a standardized test score (i.e., SAT, ACT or CLT), it will be reviewed for scholarship consideration. If the test score qualifies an applicant for a higher scholarship level, the applicant will be awarded accordingly.

Merit Scholarships And Grants

Maximum Possible Amount*

Test Optional GPA Requirement

Founders Scholarship

$96,000 divided over eight undergraduate semesters (or up to $24,000 per academic year)

3.88 – 4.0 HS GPA

President’s Scholarship

$88,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $22,000 per academic year)

3.68 – 3.87 HS GPA

Legacy Scholarship

$80,000 divided over eight undergraduate semesters (or up to $20,000 per academic year)

3.30 – 3.67 HS GPA

University Grant I ***

$72,000 divided over eight undergraduate semesters (or up to $18,000 per academic year)

3.0 – 3.29 HS GPA

University Grant II ***

$64,000 divided over eight undergraduate semesters (or up to $16,000 per academic year)

<= 2.99 HS GPA

*** All unconditionally accepted freshmen who do not qualify for a scholarship listed above will be considered for one of these University Grants.

Get more information about Merit Awards.

Renewal of Freshmen Merit Awards

Recipients of the Founders and President’s scholarships are expected to maintain a 3.0 cumulative HCU grade point average and full-time enrollment (taking at least 12 hours per semester). Recipients of the Legacy and University Grants must maintain a 2.5 cumulative HCU grade point average and full-time enrollment.

Calculate the estimated cost to attend HCU with our Net Price Calculator for Freshman or Transfer students!

Earn up to $70,000 With Raise.Me

HCU has partnered with Raise.Me to offer “micro-scholarships” that recognize your accomplishments in high school and allow you to start earning scholarship money starting in 9th grade! Students can earn scholarships for visiting campus, earning an “A” in a class, participating in a sport, performing community service, and much more! Students can earn up to $14,500 per year, which will be part of their HCU financial aid award. Freshman applicants can earn these micro-scholarships through Oct. 1 of their senior year. Visit raise.me/signup to sign up and start earning scholarships at HCU! Scholarships earned through Raise.Me are included within a student’s merit scholarship; they are not additional, stackable scholarships.

Helpful Links
HCU Freshmen Merit Awards for 2024-25
HCU Freshmen Merit Awards for 2022-23