Merit-based scholarships and awards are a form of gift aid, awarded without regard for financial need, and do not need to be repaid. Augustana offers merit-based scholarships and awards based on demonstrated academic achievement, talent, program of interest, and other criteria.

Scholarship estimator

Students are automatically considered for many of the awards listed below based on their application for admission. Other awards require auditions or an additional application process. It is important to meet deadlines associated with awards as noted below.

Note: The information below is valid for students first enrolling in the 2025-26 school year.

Academic merit scholarships

Students are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships based on their application for admission. Students may receive one of the following awards based on their credentials. Notification of any award is included in a student's acceptance letter.

Scholarship amounts are based on the year in which a student first enrolls at Augustana. The information below is valid for students first enrolling in the 2025-26 school year.

Students who do not meet the required renewal GPA may receive a lower scholarship depending on their Augustana cumulative GPA. Regardless of Augustana cumulative GPA, scholarships will not exceed first year awarded amounts in subsequent years.

High school students

Presidential Scholarship
$31,000 annually

Awarded to students with exceptional academic ability who also have demonstrated outstanding out-of-classroom and co-curricular involvement and good character. Eligible students typically have a cumulative, re-calculated high school GPA of 3.8 or better and have taken the most rigorous course load possible at their high school. When class rank is available, eligible students rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class. In past admissions cycles when the majority of applicants submitted test scores, eligible recipients would typically have a 1300 or higher combined SAT score in math and evidence-based reading and writing or a 28 ACT composite score or higher. To be eligible, a student must plan to enroll full-time at Augustana College.  Renewal requires full-time enrollment and an Augustana cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Dean's Scholarship
$29,000 annually

Awarded to students with an excellent academic record and demonstrated co-curricular involvement and good character. Eligible students typically have a cumulative, re-calculated high school GPA of at least 3.5 and have taken a rigorous course load. When class rank is available, eligible students rank in the top 20 percent of their high school class. In past admissions cycles when the majority of applicants submitted test scores, eligible recipients would typically have a 1200 to 1300 combined SAT score in math and evidence-based reading and writing or a 25 to 27 ACT composite score. To be eligible, a student must plan to enroll full-time at Augustana College.  Renewal requires full-time enrollment and an Augustana cumulative 2.75 GPA.

Founders Scholarship
$26,500 annually

Awarded to students whose high school course selection has been challenging, whose academic performance is strong and who have made significant contributions to their high schools and communities. Eligible students typically have a cumulative, re-calculated high school GPA of at least 3.2. When class rank is available, eligible students rank in the top third of their high school class. In past admissions cycles when the majority of applicants submitted test scores, eligible recipients would typically have an 1130 to 1190 combined SAT score in math and evidence-based reading and writing or a 23 to 24 ACT composite score. To be eligible, a student must plan to enroll full-time at Augustana College. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and an Augustana cumulative 2.5 GPA.

Transfer students 

Transfer scholarships range from $21,000 to $28,000 each year, based on academic success. To qualify, you must have a grade-point average of 2.7 or higher, have 15 transferable credits, and plan to enroll full-time at Augustana College.

There is no additional application for scholarships — your admissions transfer team will automatically consider your application for merit scholarships.

Bell Tower Scholarship
$28,000 annually

Students typically have a transferable college GPA of 3.6 or higher, and 15 transferable credits. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a minimum Augustana cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Blue and Gold Scholarship
$26,000 annually

Students typically have a transferable college GPA of 3.3 or higher, and 15 transferable credits. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a minimum Augustana cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Denkmann Scholarship
$24,000 annually

Students typically have a transferable college GPA of 3.0 or higher, and 15 transferable credits. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a minimum Augustana cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Carlsson Scholarship
$21,000 annually

Students typically have a transferable college GPA of 2.75 or higher, and 15 transferable credits. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and good academic standing.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
$3,500 annually

Awarded to members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. This scholarship is in addition to the transfer scholarship. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a minimum Augustana cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Justice and Social Change Microscholarship

The Justice and Social Change Microscholarship recognizes scholars who seek to change the world by joining into conversation within our welcoming and diverse community.

The microscholarship is available to prospective first-year and transfer students who complete an online four-part series of programs. These include a brief reading, video and a quiz. It is not available to international students.

Students will be notified of the opening of this scholarship in early November via email.

Applicants who successfully complete each of the four sessions will be awarded $1,000, renewable each year at Augustana for up to four years and a total of $4,000. To be eligible, students must complete all segments by Jan. 6, 2025.

→ Learn more: Justice and Social Change Microscholarship

Scholarships in the arts

Competitive scholarships in art, theatre and music for talented students regardless of academic major. Auditions and presentations may be virtual or on campus.

Fine arts

Art Scholarships
Up to $4,000 annually

Awarded to selected students after review of their portfolios. Annual renewal is based on students taking at least one art course per year.

→ Learn more: Art scholarships

Music Scholarships
Up to $4,000 annually

Awarded to talented students, including non-majors, based on music auditions. Awards are renewable upon the recommendations of the Music Department.

→ Learn more: Music scholarships

Carl B. Nelson Music Education Scholarship
$500 annually

Awarded annually to five first-year students planning to major in music education. Renewal is based on recommendation of the Music Department. Can be combined with general or honors music scholarship.

→ Learn more: Music scholarships

Theatre Scholarships
Up to $4,000 annually

The Judith Katz Memorial Theatre Scholarship is renewable for four years. Contact the Department of Theatre Arts for more details.

Other theatre scholarships are available up to $2,500, and are awarded to exceptional individuals pursuing performance, technical theatre, playwriting or criticism. All require an audition or presentation and are renewable based on recommendations of the Department of Theatre Arts.

→ Learn more: Theatre scholarships

Scholarships not requiring application or audition

Alumni Scholarship
$1,000 annually

Given to students whose parent(s) are alumnae/alumni of Augustana College.

For Ohio Residents
A minimum award of $2,500/year

The Austin E. Knowlton Scholarship is available to admissible students from Ohio, regardless of financial need.

→ Learn more: Austin E. Knowlton Scholarship

Campus Visit Grant
Up to $4,000 ($1,000 per year for four years)

The Campus Visit Grant is for enrolling students who visit campus between March 1 of their junior year of high school and May 1 of their senior year. Transfer students must visit by Aug. 1 for fall enrollment, or Jan. 15 for spring enrollment.

→ Learn more: Campus Visit Grant

Out-of-State Award
Up to $4,000 ($1,000 per year)

The Out-of-State Award is for students who live outside of Illinois and graduate from a U.S. high school. Students must be accepted to the college to receive this award.

→ Learn more: Out-of-State Award

Scholarships requiring an audition or application

Major/career specific

Academic Scholarship Day
$1,000 annually

Awarded to winners of the November and February Departmental Open House and Scholarship Competitions featuring more than 30 academic departments and nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Renewed based on departmental criteria.

→ Learn more: Academic Scholarship Day

For Future ELCA Church Leaders
Up to $5,000 annually

The Rissing Scholarship is awarded each year to students who wish to prepare for professional leadership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Award is renewable by maintaining a 2.5 Augustana cumulative grade-point average.

→ Learn more: Rissing Scholarship

Lucken Environmental Geoscience Scholarship
Up to $2,000 annually

Established by 1962 graduates John E. and Mary Thorson Lucken, this merit-based scholarship is for environmental geoscience majors.

→ Learn more: Lucken Environmental Geoscience Scholarship

Gerry and Morris M. Geifman Scholarship
$1,000 annually

A merit-based award of $1,000 presented to a Jewish student at Augustana College, renewable annually.

→ Learn more: Gerry and Morris M. Geifman Scholarship

Endowed Scholarships
Amounts vary

These scholarships are made possible by friends of the College. The Office of Financial Assistance will advise you of any for which you qualify.

Other scholarship and award opportunities

Quad City Promise
$2,000 award, renewable for up to four years

New applicants from Scott County in Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in Illinois are eligible. 

FAFSA Filers Grant
$1,000

The FAFSA Filers Grant is for students who submit the FAFSA, officially signed by applicant and one parent, to be received by the Federal Processing Agency. Renewable with FAFSA completion each year. Students may receive this award regardless of financial need.

Housing Award

Available each semester a student lives in college housing. This grant is not available during a study away semester, or for remission/exchange recipients or community advisers in the residence halls.

Meal Plan Award

Available each semester a full meal plan is purchased. This grant is not available during a study away semester or to remission/exchange recipients.

Augustana may provide endowed awards through the generosity of donors/friends of Augustana to fund a portion of academic or other institutional aid.  Academic scholarships or other scholarships awarded through Augustana could be adjusted through the awarding of an Augustana endowed scholarship.