Unlocking Your Potential: A Guide to Brenau University Scholarships

For students aspiring to pursue higher education, Brenau University offers a range of scholarship opportunities designed to make college accessible and affordable. Understanding the various scholarships available, eligibility criteria, and application processes is crucial for prospective and current students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarships offered at Brenau University, empowering students to navigate their financial aid options effectively.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance at Brenau University

Before diving into scholarship opportunities, it's essential to understand the overall cost of attending Brenau University. The university's tuition is $35,520, which is less expensive than the national average of $47,097. The total cost, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses, amounts to $50,807.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Brenau University provides need-based financial aid to students who demonstrate financial need. In fall 2023, 87% of first-year students received need-based financial aid, with an average need-based scholarship or grant of $27,859 awarded to first-year students. Need-based self-help aid, including federal loans and work-study, averaged $4,833. Brenau University met 66% of its students’ financial aid need.

Types of Need-Based Aid

Pell Grant: A federal grant awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Federal Work-Study: A program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for college expenses.
Federal Loans: Loans offered by the federal government with varying interest rates and repayment options.

The Brenau Promise for HOPE and Pell Recipients

The Brenau Promise ensures that an eligible student’s full tuition and Institutional & Instructional (I&I) development fee are covered after all applicable institutional, state and federal scholarships and grants have been awarded. To be eligible, you must:

Be a full-time, first-time freshman attending classes on-ground
Meet the Georgia Residency requirement
Receive either the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship
Qualify for the Pell Grant

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based aid, also known as non-need-based aid, is awarded based on academic achievement or specific talents. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Brenau University was $15,081.

Read also: Brenau University Costs

Academic Scholarships

Brenau University offers several tiers of academic scholarships to incoming first-year, transfer, and international students in full-time day programs. These scholarships range from $6,400 to $17,000, depending on the student's GPA. Online students are not eligible for academic scholarships. To qualify, students must apply to Brenau University. Once admitted, all undergraduate students who will take classes on-ground are automatically considered for merit scholarships from Brenau. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 95% of undergraduate students received merit aid. Merit scholarships are determined based on GPA.

Brenau Presidential Award

The Brenau Presidential Award is the premier competitive scholarship for incoming freshmen, covering full tuition and the Institutional and Instructional (I&I) development fee, along with applicable state grants. Students are selected based on past and potential academic success, leadership achievement, and personal qualities as exemplified in the Brenau Ideal. To qualify, students must:

Be a full-time, first-time freshman residential student
Have a 3.75 GPA and be willing to participate in the Honors College
Write an essay on a provided topic and submit a resume
If chosen, complete an interview

Fine Arts Scholarships

Students in fine and performing arts programs can receive additional talent scholarships in dance, theatre, music, and studio art. These scholarships require an audition or portfolio submission. Contact the department chair of your major to receive more information on scholarship offerings and audition dates or portfolio submission deadlines.

Humanities Writing Scholarship

Applicants majoring in English, History/Political Science, or Conflict Resolution and Legal Studies should submit a portfolio containing three writing samples from any field of study. No essay should exceed eight pages in length, and at least one sample must be writing that has been graded (such as a high school paper). Students must score at least 540 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion of the SAT or 24 (Composite) on the ACT to be eligible. Scholarship recipients will work in the Writing Center or on the staff of The Elixir, Brenau’s Literature and Arts magazine. Recipients must abide by the Honor Code and maintain a 3.0 grade point average to retain eligibility. The scholarship is renewable.

Athletic Grants

Female student-athletes in Brenau’s Women’s College can be considered for athletic grants in the following NAIA-sanctioned sports: Cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, competitive cheer, track & field, swimming & diving, beach volleyball, golf, softball, and tennis. Award decisions and amounts are determined by the Brenau Athletics Department in conjunction with the Financial Aid Office. If you’re interested in competing for the Golden Tigers, please visit brenautigers.com and choose recruiting from the menu.

Read also: Empowering Individuals at Brenau

Scholarships for Current Students

The Alumni Association offers several scholarship opportunities to students, which are available each year, beginning on February 1. Applications are due February 28. Students will receive communications regarding the scholarship from the Offices of Alumni Engagement and Student Development & Engagement. This scholarship is available to undergraduate students in the Women’s College and the online program. This scholarship shall be awarded to sophomores or juniors seeking an undergraduate degree in any academic discipline and who have a 3.0 or higher GPA. The scholarship shall be awarded with consideration given to the student’s reflection on the Brenau Ideal, campus involvement, volunteer commitment at Brenau, and financial need. This scholarship provides financial assistance to a Brenau student who aspires to the Brenau Ideal, who will carry on the spirit of service to Brenau that Josephine Winter Rainey displayed throughout her lifetime, who will inspire and enhance the lives of all Brenau students, and who will encourage participation in the life of Brenau after graduation. This Scholarship provides financial assistance to a Brenau student who is local to Hall County and previously completed dual enrollment at Brenau University.

External Scholarship Resources

Fastweb: A free scholarship search platform.
GAFutures: Georgia Student Finance Commission’s site for higher education and scholarship resources.
The North Georgia Community Foundation: Administers scholarship funds created by individuals and organizations who believe in the power of education.
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest: Open to students who are at least 16 years of age and reside or attend school in states with Regions Bank full service branches.
UGA College Of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship: Open to students focusing on large animal veterinary medicine.
Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship: Available to graduating students from specific high schools.
ASHRAE Rusty and Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship: Open to undergraduate engineering and architecture students pursuing a bachelor's degree.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Region IV Benny Bootle Scholarship: Open to undergraduate engineering and architecture students pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship for Agriculture: Open to graduating high school seniors who intend on pursuing a career in agriculture.
Airgas-Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to full- time undergraduate students pursuing four- year bachelor's degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology.
Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award: Available to students pursuing graduate study in directing. You must be graduating from an institution in specific states to be eligible for this award.
The Rising College Junior/Senior Scholarship For Agriculture: Open to sophomore and junior college students.

State Aid

The State of Georgia offers both the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships to students attending in-state universities. To learn about the specific amount of aid provided by each scholarship please visit GAfutures’ Award Amount page and select Brenau from the list of Private Colleges in Georgia.

HOPE Scholarship

To qualify for the HOPE Scholarship you must:

Have a 3.0 or higher high school GPA in your core courses
Graduate from a HOPE eligible high school
Meet the Georgia residency requirements

Zell Miller Scholarship

To qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship you must:

Meet all HOPE Scholarship requirements
Have a 3.7 or higher high school GPA in your core courses or be the valedictorian or salutatorian from your high school
Have either a 1200 on your math and reaching sections of the SAT or a 26 composite ACT score

Test scores must come from a single exam.

Read also: Brenau University GPA Explained

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG)

The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG) funds in-state students attending private universities in Georgia and grants money for up to three semesters per year.

International Student Scholarships

International students at Brenau University are eligible for scholarships and financial aid based on merit, need, and other factors.

Academic scholarships: This fellowship is given to overseas students who have shown academic distinction as well as leadership abilities.
International Student Scholarship: This scholarship is available to international students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and financial need.

Alumni Awards

Brenau University also recognizes alumni achievements through various awards, celebrating their contributions to their professions, communities, and the university. Nominations for these awards are accepted year-round, with a deadline of January 15th for consideration in a given year.

Alumni Hall of Fame

The Alumni Hall of Fame award is given to an alum who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to their country, state, community, and to Brenau. The alum perpetuates the excellence of Brenau through their leadership, loyal support, service, and dedication.

Academy Alumna of the Year

The Academy Alumna award is given to an Academy alumna each year who has given back to Brenau through her dedicated service and support.

Athletics Hall of Fame

The Brenau University community is encouraged to nominate former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff, and friends for the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Community Service Award

The Community Service award is given to an alum who has, through work in their home community, made a lasting contribution through knowledge, culture, and service.

OT Outstanding Alumni Award

The School of Occupational Therapy recognizes an alumni with the Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Occupational Therapy. Alumni can be nominated by their peers, persons who have benefited from their practice, or on their own accord.

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement award is given to an alum who has distinguished themselves in their chosen profession.

Service to Brenau University

The Service to Brenau award is given to an alum who exemplifies a personal commitment to Brenau University.

Young Alumna Award

The Young Alumna award is given to a traditional-aged Women’s College alumna who has graduated within the last 15 years and demonstrated outstanding achievements in one or more of the following ways: promotions, recognition, honor organizations, public appearances, expertise in field, professional leadership, and/or continued education.

Navigating the Financial Aid Process

Apply to Brenau: Complete your application to Brenau University. Once admitted, all undergraduate students who will take classes on-ground are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
File Your FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, and loans. File your FAFSA as soon as it opens each year on October 1. To share your FAFSA with Brenau, use school code 001556.
Apply for State Aid: The State of Georgia offers the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships to students attending in-state universities.
Apply for Brenau Aid: After filing your FAFSA and completing your Georgia Student Finance Application, Brenau will review your eligibility for additional aid.
Schedule a Cost Conversation: Consult with a financial aid counselor to discuss your financial aid package and explore additional options.

Managing Student Loan Debt

It's important to be mindful of student loan debt and its potential impact on your financial future. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At Brenau University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $27,000.

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