Merit-Based Scholarships

Designed to reward and encourage our brightest and most talented applicants--and make Goucher a very realistic choice for your education--these awards are based on academic achievements and leadership in high school. They do not take into account financial need. These scholarships range from $5,000 to $32,168 (full tuition in 2008-09) annually.

Academic Merit Scholarships

Dean's Scholarships
These are Goucher’s most prestigious merit scholarships, awarded in amounts totaling $21,000 or the equivalent of first-year full-tuition ($32,168 in 2008-09). We will consider as candidates all students who have distinguished themselves through superior academic achievements, extracurricular leadership, and other accomplishments. However, it is imperative that all of your application materials, including complete transcripts, recommendations, and other required documents, are received no later than February 1, the Regular Decision deadline. Last year’s recipients had a mean secondary school GPA of 3.93 (in core academic subjects only, cumulative for grades 9 through 12) and average SAT Reasoning Test combined scores of 1426 (critical reading and math only). They also completed a rigorous program of study in high school. Dean’s Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters. Renewal requirements include full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Global Citizens Scholarships
Awarded on the basis of academic credentials, special talents, and other factors, these scholarships ranged between $10,000 and $15,000 last year. Of the students offered this award last year, the top quarter had high school GPAs of 3.87 and above (in core academic subjects only, cumulative for grades 9 through 12). The combined verbal and math SAT I scores for this group averaged 1296, with the top quarter scoring 1360 and above, and the bottom quarter scoring 1210 and below. Global Citizen scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters. The renewal requirements include full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Scholarships in the Arts

To recognize, promote, and attract students with creative talent in dance, music, theatre, and visual art, Goucher offers two types of arts scholarships, awarded independent of financial need.  To be considered for these scholarships, students are required to submit a complete Scholarship in the Arts application in the area for which they wish to be considered. 

The Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship (FPAS)
These scholarships are awarded only to incoming students in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts, in the amount of $5,000 per year. The FPAS is renewable for up to eight semesters, provided the recipient satisfies the renewal requirements, including full-time enrollment, a semester GPA of 3.00 or higher, and continued active participation in endeavors related to the arts to the satisfaction of the department sponsoring the scholarship (art and art history, dance, music, or theatre). The college seeks to enroll four FPAS recipients each year, one each in dance, music, theatre, and visual art. A FPAS recipient cannot also receive a Rosenberg or Wilhelm Scholarship.

The Rosenberg Scholarships in Music, Dance, and Visual Art and the Wilhelm Scholarship in Theatre
Both new and returning students compete for approximately 13 such scholarships, awarded in the amount of $7,500 for one year. Unlike the FPAS, the Rosenberg and Wilhelm Scholarships are awarded for one year only. In addition, with the exception of dance, students receiving a Rosenberg or Wilhelm Scholarship are expected to major or minor in the medium for which they receive the award. Both the Rosenberg and the Wilhelm scholarships can be combined with a Global Citizen Scholarship and can only be applied toward billable charges (tuition, room, and board). Neither arts scholarship can be combined with a Dean’s Scholarship or a tuition remission benefit from Goucher College. In addition, students applying for need-based financial aid should note that receiving and arts scholarship will influence their demonstrated financial need and may, therefore, reduce some other portion of their need-based aid package.

Students may apply for an arts scholarship in only one medium. All students who complete the application for an arts scholarship will be considered for both a FPAS and a Rosenberg or Wilhelm Scholarship, even though they can only receive one of the merit-based awards.

Scholarship in the Arts - Music (PDF)
Scholarship in the Arts - Art and Art History (PDF)
Scholarship in the Arts - Theatre (PDF)
Scholarship in the Arts - Dance (PDF)

Transfer Merit-Based Scholarships

Transfer applicants with GPA of 3.0 or above are considered for these scholarships, which last year totaled between $3,500 and $6,000. Phi Theta Kappa-designated community or junior college admitted applicants will be awarded $6,000 annually. The scholarships are renewable through graduation or for a total of six terms, whichever comes first, provided eligibility requirements, including maintaining full-time status and a minimum GPA of 3.0, are met. Transfer students are also eligible to compete for fine and performing arts scholarships.