Financial Aid Priority Review & Timeline
To be considered for need-based financial aid, make sure to keep on top of deadlines.
View Financial Aid Timeline : Checkerboard 1 - Financial Aid Priority Review & TimelineScholarships & Grants
Chatham University, in an effort to recognize academic excellence, awards scholarships to deserving incoming full-time students. We also provide income-based grants.
There’s a scholarship for that.
Have you performed well academically? Do you have a passion for sustainability? Are you into performing music or singing? Is leadership important to you? These are just a few of the things that Chatham rewards with scholarships.
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Receive up to $27K per year toward your tuition through a merit scholarship. |
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Two different scholarships offer a full-tuition scholarship for four years. |
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99% of students receive scholarship or need-based aid to help lower costs. |
How to Qualify for a Scholarship
To qualify for a Chatham Scholarship, students must complete an admissions application, be granted acceptance to the University, and, in some cases, interview or audition.
Please have your application portal login information ready to access the scholarship application.
Chatham Scholarships
Below you'll find information about scholarships, including eligibility, amount, renewability, and more. All undergraduate scholarships require full-time enrollment, are renewable for up to four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University and have a minimum GPA requirement that must be met each year. Chatham aid is not available for summer enrollment.
Primary Scholarships
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
|
Merit Scholarship |
$17,000 to $27,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Based on academic excellence, students may qualify for a Chatham Merit Scholarship. The scholarship amount will be determined once the student is admitted to the University. You do not need to submit a separate application for this scholarship. |
|
Academic Scholarship Days |
Up to $2,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Open only to accepted students, Academic Scholarship Days give students the chance to be rewarded for their outstanding leadership qualities. Students should attend Chatham University's Academic Scholarship Days to qualify for the scholarship. Participation in an Academic Scholarship Day must occur prior to the student's first term at Chatham University. |
|
Presidential Scholarship |
Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students First-Year International students |
3.8 cumulative GPA required and attendance at a Scholarship Interview Day. The Presidential Scholarship is an annually renewable scholarship that covers tuition for each academic year, for a total of four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University. Presidential Scholarship Application required before attendance at Scholarship Interview Day. |
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Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students First-Year International students |
3.5 cumulative GPA required and attendance at a Scholarship Interview Day. The Rachel Carson Scholarship is an annually renewable scholarship that covers tuition for each academic year, for a total of four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University. Rachel Carson Scholarship Application required before attendance at Scholarship Interview Day. |
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
|
Heffer Family Scholarship for Women |
$10,000 Annually |
First-Year students |
3.5 cumulative GPA and attendance at a Scholarship Interview Day required. The Heffer Family Scholarship for Women is a $10,000 annually renewable scholarship awarded to female students who have a proven record of academic achievement, leadership capacity, as well as community and co-curricular involvement. Up to two (2) new scholarships are awarded each year. Heffer Family Scholarship for Women Application required before attendance at Scholarship Interview Day. |
|
Karen Lake Scholarship |
$10,000 Annually |
First-Year students |
The Karen Lake Scholarship is an annually renewing scholarship open to students who have at least a 3.5 GPA. This scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and provide opportunities for students who will be first-generation college goers or who demonstrate high financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Karen Lake Scholarship applications are required before attendance at Scholarship Interview Day. |
|
Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award |
Up to $2,500 Annually |
First Year students International students |
The Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award will be given to a deserving high school junior from each high school across the United States and internationally who embodies the spirit of Rachel Carson in his or her dedication to sustainability and community development. Eligible students for this award are current high school juniors, in the U.S. and internationally, and must be nominated by a teacher, school counselor or advisor. Priority deadline: June 1. |
|
Legacy Award |
Up to $3,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Awarded to children, grandchildren, and siblings of Chatham alumni. Only one Legacy scholarship awarded per student. |
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Minna Kaufmann Ruud Music Scholarship |
Up to $3,500 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students
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For qualified vocalists who plan to major in music or incorporate music into an interdepartmental major while a student at Chatham. Participation in Chatham Choir is required. To apply for this scholarship, please submit the completed application form. Once we receive your application, you will be contacted to audition. An audition is required. Renewable annually with annual audition. Priority deadline: February 6. |
|
Family Tuition Grant |
Up to $2,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students |
Awarded to undergraduate students who have an undergraduate sibling currently attending Chatham. |
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Pittsburgh Promise Housing Scholarship |
Up to $2,000 Annually |
First-Year students |
The Pittsburgh Promise housing scholarship is good for up to four years for full-time, on-campus Promise Scholars who graduated from high school in 2018 or later. |
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PTK Honors Scholarships |
Up to |
First-Year students Transfer students |
Awarded to students who are Phi Theta Kappa members. |
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Keystone Scholarship |
Up to |
First-Year students Transfer students |
The Keystone Scholarship is awarded to out-of-state domestic undergraduate students admitted to Chatham University who plan to enroll in the upcoming term. |
Need-based Financial Aid
In addition to merit scholarships, Chatham offers generous need-based financial aid. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine need-based aid. No other forms are required.
For the Spring 2023 term, there were 2139 student enrolled. Out of that number, 1433 students (67%) received federal aid.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based self-help award. If a student has been awarded FWS, the FWS award is the total that can be earned during the academic year as a work-study student. FWS can be used for on and off campus employment.
Career Development can assist students in finding FWS positions. It is important to note that funds earned in the Federal Work-Study Program are not credited to the student's account. Students receive a monthly paycheck based on the hours they work. Each student will receive a work agreement that specifies work expectations, pay, and terms of employment. A FAFSA is needed to determine FWS eligibility.
Federal PELL Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. The amount depends on your financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student, and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. A FAFSA is needed to determine PELL grant eligibility.
All PELL-eligible programs at Chatham University meet the following criteria for calculation—standard terms of semesters with credit hours in which the fall through spring terms are equal to or greater than 30 weeks, or the academic year exceeds the definition of an academic year and the institution has a waiver. (Formula 1) Federal PELL Grants are also available for summer classes for eligible students.
The Federal TEACH Grant will be awarded to interested students who reach out to the Office of Financial Aid. Students will be required to complete a TEACH grant application, where they acknowledge the terms of the TEACH grant and possible conversion to a Direct Loan if not fulfilled. The program of study will need to comply with the US Department of Education defined high-needs fields, or Teacher Shortage list as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students will also complete an Agreement to Serve and Counseling before the processing of the grant to the account. Subsequent Counseling and application will be needed for subsequent years.
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Chatham awards these grants to students who have a valid FAFSA on file with a zero EFC. These funds are first come first serve and are awarded based on the FAFSA completion date.
PA State Grant is a need based grant available to undergraduate students meeting the PA residency requirement. A FAFSA is required for consideration.
The FosterEd Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care. Learn more about this program and eligibility by clicking here.
The application is combined for Chafee ETG and FosterEd and more information about eligibility can be found on the application. Please contact Chatham University's Point of Contact for these programs with any questions:
- Office of Financial Aid: Erin Mays, financialaid@chatham.edu, 412-365-2781.
- Office of Admission: Brian Dwyer, undergraduate@chatham.edu, 412-365-1825.
Complete Your FAFSA Today
Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is what triggers your eligibility for grants and loans from the federal government, state government, and schools (including Chatham). It's an incredibly important part of getting financial aid.
Complete Your FAFSA : Checkerboard 2 - Complete Your FAFSA Today
Military & Veterans
Chatham is pleased to participate in both the Yellow Ribbon program for Veterans and Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program for active Service members.
Learn About Military & Veterans Aid : Checkerboard 3 - Military & Veterans
Pittsburgh Promise
Chatham is a preferred partner of the Pittsburgh Promise. Visit the Pittsburgh Promise website to determine scholarship eligibility and to apply.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Chatham recognizes that life learning may provide a knowledge base equivalent to college-level learning outcomes. And we believe that knowledge should be rewarded with an opportunity to work toward a degree faster and at a reduced cost.
Learn About PLA : Checkerboard 5 - Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Additional Scholarships Resources
There are all sorts of scholarships available through various organizations. Explore more options available to you listed in the following free scholarship databases, and contact Financial Aid for access to an additional database of scholarships:
Support for Scholarships
Each year, Chatham provides millions of dollars in scholarships to deserving students, including scholarships funded by Chatham’s generous donors. These scholarships help make recipients’ dreams a reality, and they, in turn, help to make Chatham the dynamic place that it is.
View Donor-Funded Scholarships : Checkerboard 7 - Support for Scholarships
Contact Us
If you have questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid located at Berry Hall on the Shadyside Campus.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 412-365-2781
Fax: 412-365-1871
Email the Office of Financial Aid