Financial Aid

Freshman Merit Awards

2023-2024 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.

The SAT is calculated using only the highest EBRW (Evidence-based Reading and Writing) and highest Math sub-scores. In the absence of class rank, GPA will be used to calculate merit awards. Spring, Summer and Fall 2022 applicants may take advantage of the test-optional policy for admissions.  If you have SAT or ACT test scores, you are encouraged to submit them for merit award consideration.  Without them, we will place more emphasis on high school GPA and class rank.

Merit Scholarships And Grants
Maximum Possible Amount*

Approximate Minimum H.S. Class Rank & Score

SAT
ACT
CLT
Founders Scholarship
$96,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $24,000 per academic year)
Top 5%
1220
25
80
Top 10%
1290
27
85
Top 15%
1380
30
93
President’s Scholarship
$88,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $22,000 per academic year)
Top 15%
1180
26
77
Top 20%
1260
28
84
Top 25%
1340
31
88
Legacy Scholarship
$80,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $20,000 per academic year)
Top 25%
1110
23
73
Top 30%
1180
26
77
Top 35%
1260
28
84
University Grant I
$48,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $12,000 per academic year)
All unconditionally accepted freshmen who do not qualify for a scholarship listed above will be considered for one of these University Grants.
University Grant II
$44,000 divided over 8 undergraduate semesters (or up to $11,000 per academic year)
All unconditionally accepted freshmen who do not qualify for a scholarship listed above will be considered for one of these University Grants.

Information about Merit Awards for 2021-2022 can be found online. 

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 October 1 of their senior year. Go to raise.me/signup to sign up and start earning scholarships at HCU!