
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 & TimelineChatham University, in an effort to recognize academic excellence, awards scholarships to deserving incoming full-time students. We also provide income-based grants.
Have you performed well academically? Do you have a passion for sustainability or leadership? Are into performing music or singing? Do you have a family member who attended Chatham? These are just a few of the things that Chatham rewards with scholarships.
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Receive up to $22K 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. |
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.
Below you'll find information about scholarships, including eligibility, amount, renewability, and more.
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
Merit Scholarship |
$15,000 to $22,000 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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. |
Presidential Scholarship |
Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students International students |
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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. Application deadline: February 6. |
Rachel Carson Scholarship |
Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students International students |
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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. Application deadline: February 6. |
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
Academic Scholarship Days |
Up to $3,000 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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. |
Heffer Family Scholarship for Women |
$10,000 Annually |
First-Year students |
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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. Application deadline: February 6.
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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. Asian, Latino, African, and Native American students, students with high academic promise, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. Application deadline: February 6. |
Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award |
$5,000 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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. Priority deadline: June 1. Learn About Rachel Carson Award
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Legacy Award |
$5,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Awarded to children, grandchildren, and siblings of Chatham alumni. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. |
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.
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Instrumental Music Scholarship |
Up to $3,500 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students
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Qualified instrumentalists who receive an Instrumental Music Scholarship are encouraged to incorporate music as a minor or music into an interdepartmental major while a student at Chatham. Participation in Chatham Music Ensembles is required. To apply for this scholarship, please submit the completed application form. Once your scholarship application is received, you will be contacted to schedule an audition. An audition is required. Renewable annually with annual audition. Priority deadline: February 6.
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Family Tuition Grant |
$2,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students |
Awarded to students who have a sibling currently attending Chatham. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. |
Pittsburgh Promise Housing Scholarship |
$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. Renewable annually based on cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and full-time enrollment. |
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.
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 & TimelineFilling 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 TodayChatham 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 & VeteransChatham is a preferred partner of the Pittsburgh Promise. Visit the Pittsburgh Promise website to determine scholarship eligibility and to apply.
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)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:
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 ScholarshipsIf you have questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid located at Braun 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