Decoding Southwestern University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide
Southwestern University (SU) recognizes and rewards academic excellence, artistic talent, and commitment to service through a variety of scholarships and grants. This guide provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available to incoming and current students, outlining eligibility requirements and application processes. Applying for admission also serves as your application for general merit-based scholarships; no extra forms or essays are needed!
Merit-Based Scholarships for First-Year Students
Southwestern University automatically awards scholarships to first-year students based on their academic achievements. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the university began awarding scholarships based on either a student's high school class rank or their recalculated grade point average (GPA), whichever is higher. The recalculated GPA considers grades earned in core high school courses such as English language arts, math, science, social studies, and foreign language.
This automatic scholarship consideration applies to all incoming students, including international, homeschooled, test-optional, in-state, and out-of-state students. The scholarship amount is determined by a grid that outlines the expected financial award, which will be renewable for up to eight semesters. This scholarship is the initial component of a student's financial aid package, with additional scholarships and assistance awarded based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Prestigious and Competitive Awards
The Brown Scholarship
The Brown Scholarship stands as Southwestern’s most prestigious and competitive award, valued at $45,000 per year.
The Garey Scholarship Program
The Garey Scholarship program recognizes academic excellence and provides students with two $5,000 stipends for up to two high-impact experiences during their Southwestern career. These experiences may include study abroad programs, internships, collaborative research projects, or civic engagement initiatives.
Read also: GSW Tuition and Fees Explained
Scholarships Based on Specific Interests and Affiliations
Sarofim Fine Arts Scholarships
Students who plan to major in the fine arts are eligible for Sarofim Scholarships in music (vocal and instrumental), theatre (acting or design), or studio art. These scholarships have the additional requirement of an audition or portfolio submission. Southwestern University is holding Scholarship Celebration Day on Sunday, March 1, 2026. This dynamic event is designed for fine arts scholarship recipients and offers a chance to explore the creative world of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts. Participants can discover opportunities to further support their artistic journey and become eligible for additional scholarship funds through active participation throughout the day. The event includes hands-on workshops, inspiring lectures, campus tours, and opportunities to meet faculty mentors, current students, and other prospective fine arts students. Attendees can also attend performances or sit in on classes.
Fine Arts Music Performance Awards
For students not majoring in music but who wish to perform in ensembles, Fine Arts Music Performance Awards are available. These awards also include a fee waiver for private lessons.
Pre-Ministerial Scholarships
Pre-Ministerial Scholarships are available for students who plan to enter full-time ministry and participate in the Southwestern Pre-Ministry Connection organized by the University Chaplain.
Southwestern University Beneficiary Grants
Southwestern University Beneficiary Grants are awarded to the dependent child of an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, who is an ordained minister under appointment, is retired, or is deceased.
Scholarships for Transfer Students
Southwestern offers a comprehensive program of scholarships and awards to transfer students with strong academic preparation. Your application for admission will also serve as your application for scholarships. Southwestern provides additional scholarship support for Phi Theta Kappa or National Society of Collegiate Scholars membership. Transfer students in their first or second year of college (with 63 hours* or fewer) who submitted a freshman application to Southwestern and were previously offered admission are eligible to have their freshman scholarship reinstated if the amount is greater than the Finch Scholarship. Please note that Brown, Garey, Dixon, and Snodgrass scholarships cannot be reinstated.
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Additional Financial Aid Opportunities
Need-Based Aid
Beyond merit scholarships, Southwestern offers a variety of assistance options based on an individual’s demonstrated need. To apply for financial aid, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadline.
Scholarships for Pre-Med Students
Several scholarships are specifically designed for students pursuing a career in medicine. These include:
The M. D. Anderson Pre-Med Scholarship: Candidates should be following a course of study at Southwestern in preparation for enrollment in medical school, with the intent to enroll in a medical school after graduation from Southwestern. Candidates must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA in order to be considered. Students planning to pursue enrollment in dental school are ineligible for this scholarship. Applications become available in late February of each academic year.
The Turner M. Caldwell Scholarship: Candidates should be following a course of study at Southwestern in preparation for enrollment in medical school, with the intent to enroll in a medical school after graduation from Southwestern. Candidates must have at least a 3.7 cumulative GPA in order to be considered and must be entering their senior year at Southwestern. Students planning to pursue enrollment in dental school are ineligible for this scholarship. Although this scholarship is not based on need, students must be making satisfactory academic progress for financial-aid purposes (i.e., a 2.0 cumulative GPA, completion of at least 80% of all credit hours attempted, and no more than 175 credit hours earned). Candidates should also be involved in organizations on campus as an indication of their future community involvement when in medical practice.
The Dr. John W. Foster Pre-Med Excellence Scholarship: Candidates will be in their junior or senior years and must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in order to be considered. Candidates should also be involved in organizations on campus as an indication of their future community involvement when in medical practice. Candidates must meet Southwestern’s requirement for financial assistance. This scholarship is competitive and is awarded on the basis of merit and financial need.
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Ambassadors for Community Health - Auxiliary at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital
If you are pursuing MD, PA, PT, or nursing degrees, please check it out! Applicants can earn extra points if they volunteer with St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. The application opens in December and interviews are in April. Last year the group awarded $153,000 to 25 students.
Additional Information
- Scholarship GPA evaluations are based on a minimum of 12 transferable credits.
- Amounts awarded are based on the availability of funds.
- Southwestern admission staff will recalculate a GPA when a student has attended multiple institutions.
- Developmental courses are excluded when factoring overall GPA.
- All scholarships and financial aid require admission to be awarded.
- The total amount of Southwestern merit or need-based scholarships, awards, or grants cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
- When it comes to financial aid, everyone’s situation is different, and Southwestern takes that into account.
- To apply for financial aid, please submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadline.
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