Merit-based Aid

Freshmen: 

Apply for Fall 2025 to find out what your merit award will be. Roanoke invests in students who have achieved in high school.  Here are some examples of merit scholarships awarded at the time of admissions to first-time freshmen:  

4.0+ GPA = $21,000*
3.80 GPA = $19,000*
3.50 GPA = $17,000*
3.00 GPA = $15,000*
2.50 GPA = $12,000*
2.00 GPA = $10,000*

Once a need-based award has been presented, the college will no longer evaluate for additional merit-based aid.

*Applicants with a high school GPA of at least a 3.0 and a 1200 SAT/25 ACT or higher at the time of acceptance to Roanoke will receive an additional $1,000 merit award. 

Virginia residents will also receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant estimated at $5,250. 

$1,000 is awarded to accepted applicants who visit during their junior or senior year in high school and attend Roanoke College.  For students entering in the Fall of 2025, $1,000 is awarded to accepted applicants with an alumni connection as noted on their applications.  Additional need-based financial aid is available. Merit offers are made only to accepted students.

Apply to find out how much you'll get

Transfers: 

Transfer students accepted to Roanoke College for Fall 2025, may qualify for $8,000 - $17,000 in institutional merit funds. The scholarship amounts, which are funded from different sources, are available to eligible incoming transfer students upon their acceptance to Roanoke College. Below are some examples of the types of awards a transfer could expect:

Transfer GPA - Amount of Annual Grant
2.40 - $8,000
2.60 - $10,000
3.00 - $13,000
3.15 - $15,000
3.50 - $17,000

Once a need-based award has been presented, the college will no longer evaluate for additional merit-based aid.

*Students who obtain an Associates Degree and transfer to Roanoke with at least a 3.0 cumulative transfer GPA, will be eligible for an additional $2,000 annually!  Students are required to notify the College at the time of application whether they anticipate obtaining their Associates Degree prior to enrollment.

**Students transferring to us with residency in another state will be eligible for the $1,500 Out of State transfer grant annually.

***$1,000 is awarded to accepted transfer students who visit prior to their enrollment annually.

These awards are automatically awarded based upon acceptance to the College (funds awarded from Roanoke College according to your religious affiliation).

Roanoke College Merit Awards (Trustee, Presidential, Dean's, Faculty and Maroon)
These merit-based awards are presented to students upon their acceptance to Roanoke College. Examples of award ranges are listed above.  Recipients must have a proven academic record to be considered. High school GPA will be reviewed when determining each individual student's award. Recipients must be full-time and degree-seeking. Award amounts vary and may be renewed for up to seven additional semesters provided the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress.

The Bishop Jim Mauney Lutheran Student Grant
This grant of $2,000 is offered to full-time, degree seeking students who are members of ELCA congregations and who designate a lutheran denomination on their admissions application to Roanoke College.  This award would be in addition to the merit scholarships listed above.  To continue this program through four years, students must satisfy the same GPA requirements as specified for Roanoke College grants and awards.  Eligibility for this award will be determined by the denomination submitted on the application at the time of acceptance.

The Legacy Award
This award of $1,000 is offered to full-time, degree seeking students with an alumni connection as noted on their admissions application to Roanoke College.  This award would be in addition to the merit scholarships listed above.  To continue this program through four years, students must satisfy the same GPA requirements as specified for Roanoke College grants and awards.  Eligibility for this award will be determined by the information submitted on the application at the time of acceptance.

The Visit Grant
This $1,000 is awarded to accepted applicants who visit the campus during their Junior or Senior year of high school and attend Roanoke College.  This grant would be in addtion to their merit award listed above.  Their visit must take place before May 1 of their Senior Year

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers tuition assistance to all bona-fide residents of the state.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
An explanation of Roanoke College's SAP requirements for continuation of financial aid.