We understand that financing your education can pose some worries … especially as a first-time college student. Shepherd University offers a variety of scholarships tailored to first-time freshmen to help ease the transition from high school to college.
NOTE: A FAFSA must be filed to receive any institutional aid. In addition, select scholarships require a student to demonstrate financial need, which is determined by the FAFSA.
Scholarships Awarded During the Admissions Process
Merit Scholarship
Our merit-based scholarship is three-tiered and awarded based on an incoming freshman’s academic success.
- Amount Awarded: Varies by tier — refer to the table below for full details.
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled as a full-time student (12+ credits per semester), 3.0 GPA, and SAT/ACT test scores.
- Application Deadline: This scholarship is awarded automatically during this admissions process and does not require a separate application. However, students accepted by April 15 with an enrollment deposit submitted by May 1 are the priority recipients.
- Renewability: This scholarship is renewable for three years, with a Shepherd GPA of 2.75+ and a minimum of 24 total credits earned during the fall and spring semesters.
Scholarship Tier |
GPA |
SAT |
ACT |
West Virginia Resident |
Non-West Virginia Resident |
| Director’s Scholarship | 3.0 | N/A | N/A | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Dean’s Scholarship | 3.50 – 3.74 | 1200 – 1290 | 24 – 26 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| President’s Scholarship | 3.75+ | 1300+ | 27+ | $3,000 | $5,000 |
Metro Scholarship
The metro scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen who are permanently residing in a nearby county and not receiving the in-state tuition rate.
- Amount Awarded: $5,500 annually.
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled as a full-time student (12+ credits per semester), living in an on-campus residence hall, and maintaining residency in one of the following counties.
State |
Eligible Counties |
| Maryland | All Counties |
| Pennsylvania | Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, and York |
| Virginia | All Counties |
| Washington, D.C. | All students residing in Washington, D.C. are eligible. |
- Application Deadline: This scholarship is awarded automatically during this admissions process and does not require a separate application.
- Renewability: This scholarship is renewable for three years, with a cumulative Shepherd GPA of 2.75+ and a minimum of 24 total credits earned during the fall and spring semesters.
Additional Shepherd University Scholarships
Office of Admissions Scholarship
The Office of Admissions scholarship offers supplemental funding — separate from the merit scholarship — for an undergraduate student’s tuition.
- Amount Awarded: Varies by student eligibility.
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled as a full-time student (12+ credits per semester).
- Application Deadline: The priority deadline is April 1 for the fall semester and Nov. 1 for the spring semester.
- Renewability: This scholarship is renewable for three years, with a cumulative Shepherd GPA of 2.75+ and a minimum of 24 total credits earned during the fall and spring semesters.
Submit an application for the Office of Admissions scholarship.
Office of Financial Aid Scholarships
There are numerous scholarships awarded through the Office of Financial Aid for full-time, undergraduate students. Complete a singular application to determine your eligibility for multiple scholarships. The award amounts, eligibility requirements, and renewability varies by scholarship; however, most scholarships require a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Submit an application for the Office of Financial Aid scholarships.
Global Student Leadership Team Scholarship
The Global Student Leadership Team (GSLT) is a campus group of Shepherd students demonstrating leadership qualities and striving to engage the campus community through awareness, advocacy, and action for social change.
Learn more about the GSLT and its scholarship.
Additional Scholarships
There are numerous additional scholarship offered by the University and private institutions to help supplement tuition costs.