Merit-Based Scholarships

Scripps strives to reward distinguished young women whose intellectual and personal promise will be best developed by the College’s challenging liberal arts curriculum. The College does this by awarding a number of merit-based scholarships to incoming first-year students.

• James E. Scripps Scholarship

This award is a $20,000, renewable scholarship that is offered to applicants based on a combination of demonstrated academic success, solid community involvement, and positive personal qualities. Between 20 and 35 James E. Scripps Scholars enroll each year.

• New Generation and Leonetti Scholarships

The College awards one New Generation scholarship per year and one Leonetti scholarship every four years. These competitive and highly prestigious awards cover tuition and fees, room, board, three round-trip airfares home annually, and a $3,000 summer research stipend to be used during the recipient’s years at Scripps.

• Trustee Scholarship

These four-year renewable scholarships offer students $15,000 to support their studies and will be awarded to applicants whose strong academic performance and school or community involvement indicate that they will add vitality and intellectual value to our campus.

• Presidential Scholarship

At $10,000, these four-year renewable awards will be offered to applicants whose credentials demonstrate that they will contribute to our vibrant academic and extracurricular community.

• National Merit Scholarship Competition

Scripps also offers college-sponsored merit awards to eligible finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. These renewable scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on financial need.

Applying for Merit-Based Awards

Scripps College will consider all first-year applicants for Trustee and Presidential scholarships. To be considered for the James E. Scripps and New Generation/Leonetti scholarships, applicants must submit all admission application materials by November 15 and check the merit-based scholarship box on the Common Application, regardless of admission plan (Early Decision or Regular Decision). Finalists for the James E. Scripps and New Generation scholarships are announced in early January and are brought to campus in early February at the College’s expense for final interviews; all scholarship recipients are notified by April 1.

While the College awards scholarships based solely on merit, applicants can apply for additional need-based financial aid. Please visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.