First Year Student Scholarships | Capital University, Columbus Ohio
Close

I AM A...

Close

Majors

Home   /    Admission   /    Tuition and Financial Aid   /    First Year Student Scholarships

First Year Student Scholarships

  • We're ready to invest in your future. Are you?

    Your academic talent is impressive, but we see so much more in you. Your job. Your care for others. Your involvement in the community. Your leadership, research and performance ability. Capital is interested in all of you - everything you bring to our community.

    We consider more than GPA and test scores when awarding scholarships. Our holistic approach shows we see more in you. We see your potential.

    Capital Invests 50 million dollars each year to fund scholarships and grants. Students who live on campus for a least two years are 25% more likely to graduate on time.

    Our merit awards start at $20,000, and additional merit awards can provide even more depending on academic, community, and leadership experience. We invite people to compete for a limited number of full-tuition scholarships, and we also offer financial awards for students who enrich the diversity of our university, including students of color, Lutheran students, music majors and students whose family members are Cap grads.

    Capital invests more than $50 million annually in providing scholarships and grants to help families afford the Capital education. We believe in you - and it - that much.

    You're investing in more than a piece of paper. You're investing in you. And we're investing in you. Because we believe in potential. Together, there's nothing we can't do.

    98% of Capital graduates say that within 6 months of graduating they're where they think they should be in their career and life path. The average financial aid aware is $23,000

    You've worked hard and we reward you from the start.

    Capital students are accomplished in the classroom. So we award you all four years you attend. You can apply knowing you’ll be recognized from the very start of your college search. 

    Need more funding? It may get better.

    This is just the beginning of our efforts for affordability. Need-based grant funds from the university are available for qualified students from the FAFSA in addition to your estimated merit award. And we won't take long to tell you the good news. Official scholarship letters are sent with acceptance packets, so apply early in your senior year, and know your award eligibility early.

    Stay ahead of the curve. Know your bottom line cost.

    FAFSA generally starts accepting applications on October 1 (December 2023 for the 2024 FAFSA) so you can learn your full financial picture for Capital months before you have to make your college selection on May 1. That gives you plenty of time for visits and the chance to connect with your fellow incoming #capfam members so you can focus on what truly matters in your final decision.

    There are many opportunities available.

    Every student is different and every situation is unique. Capital takes the time and effort to review all applications for admission very carefully so we encourage you to apply regardless of your profile information to start the conversation about your options. Our admission counselors are available to talk more in detail about your situation and advise you accordingly. Contact our office at 614-236-6101 or email admission@capital.edu. We want to work with you!

    We also have targeted awards for various student populations such as music, Lutheran, legacy, culturally diverse, and service-based as well as full-tuition scholarship competitions for qualified applicants! Please ask us if you have any questions about requirements.

  • Scholarship Competitions
    • COLLEGIATE FELLOWSHIP (FULL-TUITION)

      Competitive scholarship (by invitation only) awarded to selected high school seniors with at least a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale). Complete your application to Capital by Dec. 1 of your senior year to be invited. Participants will experience an interview and complete an essay for scholarship consideration. This award covers standard tuition and is renewable if recipients are enrolled as a full-time student, maintain a cumulative GPA is 3.00 or higher and live on-campus. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree. Full-tuition awards cannot be combined with any other institutional scholarship or grant.

    • CAPITAL SCHOLARS AWARD (FULL-TUITION)

      Competitive scholarship (by invitation only) awarded to selected high school senior multicultural students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Complete your application to Capital by Dec. 1 of your senior year to be invited. Participants will experience an interview and complete an essay for scholarship consideration. This award covers standard tuition and renewable if recipients are enrolled as a full-time student, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher and live on-campus. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree. Full-tuition awards cannot be combined with any other institutional scholarship or grant.

    • BATTELLE SCHOLARSHIP (ROOM AND BOARD)

      Competitive scholarship stipend (by invitation only) awarded to a selected high school senior from Franklin or contiguous counties in Ohio who competes in either the Collegiate Fellowship or Capital Scholars competition. Please see those awards for qualification requirements. This full-room and board award is based upon standard occupancy rates and made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.

  • Merit-Based Scholarships and Grants
    • THE MAIN STREET SCHOLARSHIP

      The Main Street Scholarship will be offered to all accepted, full-time, incoming undergraduate students. The minimum scholarship award starts at $20,000 given annually and is potentially renewable for up to four years. Renewal is dependent on minimum GPA requirements and full-time enrollment.

      As a commitment to the affordability of a Capital University education, we have expanded the Main Street Scholarship to cover up to full tuition and term fees for our highest achieving students with the greatest need. For incoming 2023, first time in college students who are Ohio residents, have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or greater, and a family income of $60,000 or less, they could qualify for an expanded Main Street Scholarship.

      Learn More

    • SIBLING AWARD ($1,000)

      Discount awarded to each traditional undergraduate dependent full-time student whose brother or sister is also a full-time traditional undergraduate at Capital. The amount shown on the award will be credited to your student account by the Finance Office on a semester-by-semester basis. This tuition-based award is renewable if your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher. It is available for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.

    • ROTC (FULL-TUITION WITH ROOM AND BOARD)

      Capital students can earn many different types and levels of ROTC scholarships. All are based on merit, leadership potential and physical aptitude. You can apply as a senior in high school or as a freshman or sophomore in college. Awards are based upon standard occupancy rates. Learn more on the Capital University ROTC website.

    • REV. RUFUS TARRANT GRANT ($2,000)

      Grant awarded to multicultural students who identify themselves on the admission application. This tuition-based award may be renewed if you are enrolled as a full-time student, and your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.

    • PARTNERS IN EDUCATION (MATCHING UP TO $500)

      Awards are made to full-time traditional undergraduate students seeking their first undergraduate degree who are members of participating Lutheran congregations. Capital University matches funds contributed by the congregations up to the annual maximum of $500. You must contact your pastor each year to identify your congregation’s level of participation. This award is not applied to a student’s account until the congregation's donation is received. Awards are matched for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years). Please visit the Partners In Education site to fill out an application and learn more about the award.

    • NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (HALF OR FULL ROOM AND BOARD)

      Room and board awards

      Capital University will award the following to National Merit Scholarship students who attend Capital full-time and live on campus. Both awards are based upon standard occupancy rates. Contact the admission office at 614-236-6101 for details.

      • Finalist - Full room and board award
      • Semi-Finalist - Half room and board
    • CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE AWARD (UP TO $10,000)

       

      Audition-based award available to traditional undergraduate full-time bachelor of music or bachelor of arts in music majors. This tuition-based award is renewable if you are enrolled as a full-time student, your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher and you stay within your intended academic plan. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.

    • MUSIC COMPOSITION SCHOLARSHIP (UP TO $3,500)

      Scholarship available to traditional undergraduate full-time Conservatory of Music composition majors based on composition portfolio and evaluation. This tuition-based award is renewable if you are enrolled as a full-time composition major and your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.

    • LUTHERAN HERITAGE GRANT ($1,000)

      Awarded to entering traditional undergraduate students seeking their first undergraduate degree who are members of Lutheran congregations who identify themselves on the admission application or are Children of Lutheran Pastors. This tuition-based award is renewable if you are enrolled as a full-time student and your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) starting Fall 2017 and beyond.

    • ALUMNI AWARD ($1,000)

      Award given to students who identify a relative who graduated from Capital University or Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus on the admission application. This tuition-based award is renewable if you are enrolled as a full-time student and your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher. Awards are made for a maximum of eight fall and spring semesters (four years) to students seeking their first undergraduate degree.