Gift aid represents funding that does not need to be repaid, and thus in essence is a “gift” to the recipient. Generally, gift aid is categorized as scholarships and/or grants. We offer the basics on the various types of scholarships/grants that are typically received. For institutional scholarship eligibility, visit Tulane Scholarships: Merit and Need-Based.
Merit Scholarship
Tulane merit scholarships are usually awarded only to first-time incoming undergraduate students to recognize strong past academic performance, with the expectation that students will continue to succeed at a high level in college. For undergraduates, these scholarships are based on high school achievements, while graduate or professional students may receive them based on prior college-level work. Undergraduate merit scholarships can be renewed for up to 4 years (or 5 years for students in the 5-year Architecture Program and the 5-year BSMMACCT program, not including summer enrollment) as long as students continue meeting academic and enrollment requirements. All Tulane scholarships, both merit and need-based, always apply to tuition costs first. If the total amount of Tulane scholarships is greater than the cost of tuition but still less than the university’s full cost of attendance, the extra amount may be used to cover other expenses that are included in the cost of attendance. However, Tulane scholarships and grants (called institutional gift aid) cannot exceed the total cost of attendance; if they do, the aid will be reduced or canceled. The only exceptions are certain athletic awards that are allowed to cover other costs.
Service Scholarship
Recipients of service scholarships are usually required to perform some level of service in exchange for their receipt of the scholarship funding. The most common example of a service scholarship is the ROTC Scholarship program, whereby in exchange for a generous scholarship recipients are expected to serve for a specific number of years in the armed forces.
Need-Based Scholarship
Need-based scholarships are usually called grants, and certain scholarships are specifically designated as need-based. For example, the Federal Pell Grant is a type of need-based award. To determine eligibility, a standard formula is used to figure out what a student and their family are expected to contribute. Based on that, a student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants is set. Since financial circumstances can change, need-based eligibility must be reviewed each year, and eligibility can fluctuate from year to year depending on the results of that year’s financial aid application. Students must also meet all retention requirements to keep their award.
At Tulane, both merit scholarships and Tulane need-based scholarships are always applied to tuition first. If the total amount of Tulane scholarships is higher than tuition, the extra funds may only be used in limited cases—either when the extra amount comes from a Tulane need-based scholarship, or when the merit scholarship specifically allows coverage of costs beyond tuition. Tulane scholarships and grants (called institutional gift aid) cannot be more than the total cost of attendance. If they are, aid will be reduced or canceled, except in a few cases where athletic awards are designated for other expenses.
Other Scholarships
Scholarships are provided from numerous sources. While many colleges and universities offer their own institutionally funded scholarships/grants, funds are also provided via various Federal and State programs, as well as from a vast array of “outside” scholarships (defined as scholarships being offered from entities “outside” of Tulane). Learn more about “outside” scholarship opportunities. Please note that the receipt of other scholarship may have an impact on Tulane institutional gift aid or MAY BE REDUCED DUE TO receipt of Tulane institutional aid, and that it is wise to be skeptical of unsolicited offers of outside scholarship. Learn more about the effects between “outside” scholarship opportunities and Tulane institutional gift aid.
