Freshmen Competitive Scholarships

The Competitive Scholarship application opens October 1st. Any student wishing to submit an application for the competitive scholarship must have already applied and been admitted to Park University as an incoming first-time freshman. All scholarship applications and materials must be received by the end of the first Friday in November.

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Honors Scholarship is a full tuition and room and board scholarship for one to two incoming first-time freshmen. It is considered the most prestigious academic award for incoming first-time freshmen.

Provisions:

  1. Tuition for 144 undergraduate credit hours over four Academic Years
    • Summer tuition covered by scholarship
    • Maximum of 36 hours/Academic Year (July 1–June 30)
  2. Room & board at double occupancy rate
    • Required to live on campus during the Academic Year (August–May) for duration of award
    • Does not cover off campus housing
  3. Study abroad funds after first year in Honors Academy
  4. May not hold any additional institutional scholarships or grants (academic or athletic)
  5. May hold external scholarships and/or grants
  6. Announcement of the recipients will be no later than February 1 of the preceding Academic Year

*Awarded scholars will serve as active members of Park University’s Student Ambassador Program

Eligibility criteria:

  1. Two letters of reference from high school teachers
  2. GPA 3.8+
  3. ACT 32/SAT 1450 Recommended – Not Required
  4. 300–500 word personal statement as described within application
  5. Current Resume
  6. Participation in the annual Park University Scholarship Day, including
    • Honors information session
    • Interactive program with fellow candidates
    • Interview with faculty members
    • Interactive discussion with current Honors Academy members
    • Optional campus tour

Renewal criteria:

  1. Maintain a cumulative 3.8 GPA
  2. Live on campus during the duration of the award
  3. May not hold any additional institutional scholarships or grants (academic or athletic)
  4. May hold external scholarships and/or grants
  5. Must represent Park University in media, in written testimonies and a minimum of two events per year, including Founders Day.
  6. Must complete at least 24 credit hours/Academic Year (July 1–June 30)
    • Full-time status for fall & spring semesters
  7. Active participation/Member of the Honors Academy for duration of award*
  8. Must showcase active participation  and representation as a Student Ambassador, which included weekly tours, panels and attendance of admissions-related events

McAfee Scholarship

The McAfee Scholarship is a full tuition scholarship for up to 15 incoming first-time freshmen.

Provisions:

  1. Tuition for 144 undergraduate credit hours over four Academic Years (July 1–June 30)
  2. Summer tuition covered by scholarship
  3. Maximum of 36 hours/Academic Year (July 1–June 30)
  4. Study abroad funds after first year in Honors Academy
  5. May not hold any additional institutional scholarships or grants (academic or athletic)
  6. May hold external scholarships and/or grants
  7. Announcement of the recipients will be no later than February 1 of the preceding academic year

*Awarded scholars will serve as active members of Park University’s Student Ambassador Program

Eligibility criteria:

  1. GPA 3.75+
  2. ACT 28/SAT 1310 Recommended – Not Required
  3. Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers
  4. 300-500 word personal statement as described within application
  5. Current Resume
  6. Participation in annual Park University Scholarship Day, including
    • Honors information session
    • Interactive program with fellow candidates
    • Interview with faculty members
    • Interactive discussion with current Honors Academy members
    • Optional campus tour

Renewal criteria:

  1. Maintain a cumulative 3.75 GPA
  2. Must complete 24 credit hours/academic year
    • Full-time status for Fall & Spring Semesters
  3. Live on campus during the first award year
  4. Active participation/Member of the Honors Academy for duration of award*
  5. Must represent Park University in media, in written testimonies and a minimum of two institutional events per year, including Founders Day
  6. Must showcase active participation and representation as a Student Ambassador, which includes weekly tours, panels, and attendance of admissions-related events.
  7. May not hold any additional institutional scholarships or grants (academic or athletic)
  8. May hold external scholarships and/or grants

Trustee Scholarship

The Park Trustee Scholarship will be awarded with $7,500 toward tuition each year for four calendar years.

Provisions:

  1. $7,500 towards undergraduate tuition each year for four Academic Years (Aug. 1–May Commencement)
  2. Invitation into Park University’s Honors Academy
  3. Announcement of the recipients will be no later than February 1 of the preceding academic year
  4. May hold external scholarships and/or grants

*Awarded scholars will serve as active members of Park University’s Student Ambassador Program

Eligibility criteria:

  1. GPA 3.7+
  2. ACT 25/SAT 1200 Recommended – Not Required
  3. Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers
  4. 300-500 word personal statement as described within application
  5. Current Resume
  6. Participation in the annual Park University Scholarship Day, including
    1. Honors information session
    2.  Interactive program with fellow candidates
    3. Interview with faculty members
    4. Interactive discussion with current Honors Academy members
    5. Optional Campus Tour

Renewal criteria:

  1. Maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA
  2. Must complete at least 24 credit hours/academic year
    1. Full-time status for Fall & Spring Semesters
  3. Must represent Park University in media, in written testimonies and a minimum of two institutional events per year, including Founders Day.
  4. Must showcase active participation and representation as a Student Ambassador, which includes weekly tours, panels, and attendance of admissions-related events.
  5. May hold external scholarships and/or grants

APPLICATION PROCESS

Park University review for eligibility to attend Scholarship Interview Day is based upon:

  • Completion of the scholarship application, including submission of all required materials, by the first Friday in November.
  • Receipt of the student’s Park University Application, 6th semester High School transcripts with no less than a 3.7 cumulative weighted GPA.
  • Students must submit a 300–500 word personal essay as described within the application
  • Each submitted file must be clearly labeled with the student’s name and name of the high school attended (or “home-schooled”).
  • All materials should be submitted through the application as Microsoft Word documents or as Adobe PDFs.
  • Attendance at Honors Scholarship Interview Day in December is required for competitive scholarship candidates. Competitive Scholarship Interview Day includes a multistage interview with the Scholarship Committee, an Honors Academy information session for parents and students, an optional campus tour and interactive program with fellow candidates.
  • The recipients of a competitive award must agree to represent Park University in media, in written testimonies and/or at least two events per year.
  • Competitive scholarships will be awarded no later than February 1.

Competitive Scholarship Application – opens Oct. 1

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.