Scholarships at Dominican
For more than a century, Dominican University has been committed to the highest quality education—and an intentional affordability that makes it accessible to all. That's why U.S. News & World Report ranks us the No. 1 Best Value School in Illinois. Scholarships are one of the most important tools for making education affordable. Explore the many scholarships offered below.
Jump to Graduate Scholarships:
Brennan School of Business
School of Information Studies
Jump to External Scholarships
Borra Nursing Scholarship
Eligibility: For transfer students and current Dominican undergraduates admitted to the BSN Program as rising juniors
Current Dominican undergraduates and incoming transfer students accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program are invited to apply for the Borra Nursing Scholarship created by the Borra Family Foundation. This scholarship is highly competitive and is intended to attract highly capable and talented students who, upon graduating and obtaining a position in the field of nursing, will exemplify and promote the excellence of Dominican's BSN Program
Scholarship Conditions
Scholarship applies to transfer students and current Dominican undergraduates accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program.
Scholarship award of up to $10,000 per year (up to $20,000 over the junior and senior years combined) is available to full-time nursing students at Dominican University. This scholarship is in addition to, and does not replace, any other financial aid for which the student is awarded by Dominican or other sources.
Initial Requirements
Complete the Borra Nursing Scholarship Application.
Minimum college/university cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on 4.0 scale.
Minimum ATI TEAS V composite score of 70%.
Matriculation into Dominican University and acceptance into its BSN program
Commit to full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours/semester).
Scholarship Renewal Requirements
Progression in nursing program in good academic standing and no repeated courses
Continued full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours/semester).
Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
File a FAFSA beginning October 1 each year (Federal School Code: 001750).
Complete the scholarship form online by April 1, 2019. Scholarship awards will be announced by May 15, 2019.
Ida Brechtel Scholarship
Eligibility: Freshman and transfer students planning to major in chemistry or biology-chemistry and meet the minimum criteria are invited to apply. Scholarships are up to $10,000 a year for a total of four years for freshmen and two years for transfer students.
Freshmen: 25 Composite ACT or 1200 total New SAT and a cumulative 3.3/4.0 grade point average
Transfer students: 4 college sciences courses and cumulative 3.5/4.0 grade point average
To apply, submit the following no later than January 15:
Ida Brechtel Scholarship Application (pdf)
A 200-300 word essay explaining your decision to major in chemistry or biology-chemistry, and how it applies to your future career plans.
Recommendation letter from a science teacher or instructor
An up-to-date official high school transcript
Send required scholarship application information to:
Attn: Glenn Hamilton
Brennan Business Star Scholarships
Eligibility: Transfer students
Brennan Business Star Scholarships are available to transfer students majoring in finance, management or marketing within the Evening Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) program. Scholarships are $2,000 per year, renewable for an additional year.
Scholarship Requirements:
Transfer students from Harold Washington College, Morton College or Triton College will receive a $2,000 scholarship upon admission to the Evening BBA program
A minimum grade point average of 2.75/4.0
An Associate's Degree and the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) from one of the aforementioned colleges
For questions, contact:
Glenn Hamilton
Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment
ghamilton@dom.edu (link sends e-mail)
Catholic High School Scholarship
Eligibility: Freshman students
Graduates of Catholic high schools receive a $2,500 renewable scholarship.
Dominican Star Scholarships
Dominican Star Scholarships are available to members of the Star Scholars Program of the City Colleges of Chicago as well as selected private, two-year institutions. This $2,000 scholarship may be awarded in addition to transfer merit scholarships for a total of two years. Recipients must be full-time students.
ExcEL Scholar Awards
Eligibility: All undergraduate students
The Excellence in Experiential Learning (ExcEL) Scholar Award program is a pilot effort designed to provide gap funding support to undergraduates who want to build hands-on educational experiences into their Dominican University careers.
Students who wish to pursue or design an internship, community-based learning, independent research, study away, study abroad, or entrepreneurial project that will accelerate their professional growth, deepen their scholarly knowledge, and / or actively engage as citizens of the world may apply for awards of up to $2000. Learn more about the ExcEL Scholar Awards.
Family allowances of $1,000 per student are available when a full-time Dominican University student has a sibling who is also attending full time or has a sibling that graduated from Dominican University's undergraduate program.
Legacy Scholarship
Renewable awards of $2,000 are available to children and grandchildren of Dominican University graduates. Awards are for full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree.
Luce Scholarship for Women in STEM
Dominican University is proud to introduce the first full-ride science scholarship in the institution's history as a way to break down barriers for high-achieving women in the STEM fields.
Merit Scholarships (Fall 2019–2020)
Eligibility: Freshman, transfer and international students
Freshman Merit Scholarships for academic achievement range from $4,000–$20,000 annually and are renewable for a maximum of three years, provided you continue to make satisfactory academic progress. These scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need and are determined at the time of acceptance. For students accepted to Dominican University after June 1, awards are subject to the availability of funds. Use our Freshman Merit Scholarship Calculator to determine your estimated amount.
Transfer merit scholarships are awarded to entering full-time transfer students based on their grade point average from their previous institutions at the time of acceptance to Dominican University. These scholarships are awarded for academic achievement and range from $7,000-$14,000 annually. They are renewable for a maximum of three years, provided you continue to make satisfactory academic progress. These scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need and are determined at the time of acceptance. To be eligible for the transfer merit scholarship, a student must have completed at least 24 semester hours.
Transfer Presidential Scholarship: $14,000 (transfer GPA of 3.5 and above)
Transfer Dean's Scholarship: $13,000 (transfer GPA of 3.3 to 3.49)
Transfer Founder's Scholarship: $10,000 (transfer GPA of. 3.0 to 3.29)
Transfer Achievement Scholarship: $7,000 (transfer GPA of 2.75 to 2.99)
International students are eligible for Dominican Merit Scholarships.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships are available to members of this international honor society for two-year colleges, and may be awarded in addition to the transfer merit scholarships.
$2,500 (PTK membership with a minimum GPA of 2.75)
Residence Life Award
Eligibility: Freshman and transfer students
Freshmen and transfer students living on campus will be awarded $3,000.
SUCCESS Scholarship (Students from Under-represented Communities College Enrichment Scholarship)
Membership in a college enrichment group/organization with recommendation may receive a $2,500 renewable scholarship.
Westlake Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Eligibility: For Freshmen and Transfer Students Planning to Major in Nursing
Students who are planning to major in nursing and live in the western suburbs of Chicago are invited to apply. Scholarships vary and recipients are required to reapply each year.
Scholarship Initial Requirements:
Provide proof of residence in the near west suburbs of Chicago for current and past 3 years.
Complete the Westlake Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship Application by February 15.
Earn a minimum high school/college cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on 4 point scale.
Matriculate into Dominican University and complete a pre-nursing interest form.
Allow Dominican University to provide scholarship recipient information to the Westlake Health Foundation.
For eligibility to reapply, a student must meet the following renewal requirements:
Submit renewal Westlake Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship Application by February 15.
Provide proof of continued residency in the near western suburbs of Chicago.
Progression in pre-nursing and nursing studies in good academic standing and no repeated nursing courses.
Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on 4 point scale.
File a FAFSA by November 15 each year (Federal School Code: 001750).
Westlake Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship (pdf)
Graduate Scholarships
Brennan School of Business Scholarships
A limited number of Brennan School of Business scholarships are awarded to graduate students with outstanding academic achievements and test scores. Graduate assistantships are also available on a limited basis for students who wish to work with the faculty or staff while pursuing their program of study.
If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Professor Dave Aron or Associate Dean Kathleen Odell.
School of Education Scholarships
The School of Education has small departmental scholarships that may be awarded to students who meet certain criteria:
Helen Brach Foundation Scholarship: MAT or Early Childhood students in minority Catholic schools
Hall Scholarship: Early Childhood students with demonstrated financial need
Katherine Inglis Sutter Scholarship: Special Education students with demonstrated need; can be given to one student or divided among several
Other scholarships are awarded on a term-by-term basis. Students must be accepted to the program to be eligible. (Students with incomplete application files may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements. Applicants submit a new application for each term: Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II.
Download the SOE Scholarship Application here.
School of Information Studies Scholarships
Departmental scholarships (free tuition for your first and last courses) are available to new incoming degree-seeking School of Information Studies (SOIS) students. These scholarships are based on both need and merit. Need is measured by the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Merit is measured by the student's incoming GPA. A standardized test score is not required. A completed FAFSA must be on file with Dominican University's Office of Financial Aid by the deadline. Dominican's school code is 001750.
The scholarship eligibility and admission priority deadlines are the same:
Fall Semester: June 15 (for master's degree students); July 15 (for doctoral students)
Spring Semester: November 15
Summer Semester: March 15
SOIS departmental scholarships are awarded in an amount equivalent to tuition for the first and last courses in any SOIS degree program at the times the courses are taken.
Scholarships are awarded upon receipt of this acknowledgment form by the deadline, applied upon registration for the first and last courses, and disbursed at the end of the appropriate semester's add-drop period.
Students eligible to receive SOIS departmental scholarships will be contacted by SOIS. There is no application to fill out; however, eligible students wishing to accept the offer will need to formally do so by signing and returning a scholarship Acknowledgement Form by the deadline.
Deadlines for returning the Acknowledgement Form:
Fall Semester: August 1
Spring semester: December 6
Summer semester: April 5
SOIS departmental scholarships are generously supported by:
The Cromien Endowment
The Dean's Endowment (support future students by donating!)
The Denton Endowment
H. W. Wilson Co.
The Jencius Endowment
The McCusker Endowment
The PhD Scholars Endowment
Butler Youth Services Scholarship
The Butler Youth Services Scholarship program seeks MLIS candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in library science with a planned focus on service to children and young adults. Butler Scholars will contribute to the library and information science profession, specifically in the area of literature and library services to young people, by increasing diversity in the workforce and through excellence in professional preparation.
Library Technical Assistant Scholarships
Students who have been admitted to the school and have completed a library technical assistant program will be granted a 50 percent tuition scholarship for the first four courses you take from the required courses in the MLIS degree program (LIS 701, LIS 702, LIS 703, LIS 707, LIS 708, or LIS 709). Note: Students may take courses other than LIS 709 to count for their technology requirement, but only LIS 709 is included in this discounted tuition offer. Applicants for the LTA Scholarship do not need to fill out the scholarship application, nor file a FAFSA nor submit GRE or MAT scores; instead, submit a copy of your official LTA transcript at the time when you apply to the program, with a note indicating you wish to qualify for this scholarship.
Ellin Greene Research Scholarship
Doctoral students who plan to conduct research about folklore, children's literature and storytelling (youth or adult) through the use of the Ellin Greene Storytelling Collection in the Butler Children's Literature Center are eligible to receive scholarship funds. Apply for the 2018 Ellin Greene Research Scholarship (pdf).
Li and Li Scholarship
In partnership with the Chinese Americans Librarians Association this scholarship supports a MLIS student of Chinese ethnicity who expects to become involved with CALA and to incorporate his or her Chinese heritage in professional service to the community. Apply for the Spring 2018 Li and Li Scholarship (pdf).
Mary Wajer Scholarship
The Mary Wajer Scholarship is available to MLIS degree-seeking students with demonstrated financial need. See scholarship guidelines.
Skokie Public Library and Dominican University Internship Program
Watch for a Spring 2019 call for applications for this outstanding opportunity for real work experience at the award-winning Skokie Public Library. This designed learning experience will give your library career a jump-start! We will be looking for a group of interns who will go through this experience together between September 2019 and May 2020 (10-15 hours per week). Earn 6 hours of course credit at no tuition cost.
Academic 2019-2020 (both semesters)
Tuition waiver / scholarship for one three credit course per semester, fall (LIS 799-Practicum) and spring (LIS 801-Independent Study)
This experience will provide you with invaluable professional experience and networking. Boost your career opportunities by working and learning side-by-side with outstanding public library professionals, and creating invaluable network connections through your work at the Skokie library. The application process will begin in April 2019 for academic 2019-2020 (Fall 2019 and Spring 2020).
Collaborative Scholarships
SOIS collaborates with external partner organizations to offer additional scholarship support. Recently, we worked with the Polish American Library Association to offer the Zubrzycki Scholarship for students intending to pursue a career in youth services with a focus on multicultural programs and services, particularly with regard to the Polish American community. This list changes periodically as we forge new partnerships.
ALA Spectrum Scholarship Match
See American Library Association below.
A variety of financial aid from outside the university is available for students who are pursuing the MLIS or PhD. Information about available aid appears in Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies, published annually by the American Library Association. Many Internet resources are also available to help students locate sources of scholarships.
Each year the American Library Association awards a number of scholarships to students who are seeking master's degrees in library and information science. Scholarship winners must already be enrolled in an ALA-accredited master's degree program or must enter one. Factors considered include academic excellence, leadership qualities and evidence of a commitment to a career in librarianship. Several divisions and roundtables of the ALA also offer scholarships. Visit ALA for information about the various ALA scholarships.
ALA Spectrum Scholarships for MLIS: In its ongoing support of diversity and inclusion in the LIS field SOIS provides matching tuition scholarships to recipients of the American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship diversity recruitment program.
Beta Phi Mu
Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society of library and information science, offers a number of scholarships and fellowships for master's and doctoral students. Five scholarships and up to six Eugene Garfield Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships are awarded annually. The Beta Phi Mu Scholarship Review Committee meets during May and recipients are announced at the Beta Phi Mu General Assembly G-ALA in conjunction with the ALA Annual Meeting in June. Learn more or apply.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois program awards scholarships annually to students who are pursuing advanced degrees. Applicants must be residents of Illinois and must be from populations that are historically under-represented in the faculty and staff of Illinois institutions of higher education. Upon graduation an award recipient must agree to accept a position in teaching or administration at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution.
School of Social Work Scholarships
Director's Scholarship and Graduate Assistantship
Director's Scholarship awards up to $5,000 for the academic year. Award recipients will receive one award that will be distributed over the entire academic year. For example, a $2,000 award will be distributed as follows: $1,000 in the fall semester and $1,000 in the spring semester. In order to keep the scholarship for the following semester, recipients must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA. If the student falls below the cumulative 3.5 GPA, the award will be rescinded.
Graduate Assistantship. Recipients will be required to work 7 or 14 hours with a faculty member and/or an administrator. Tuition remission for 1 to 2 classes per semester will be offered for compensation. For example, a student working 7 hours per week will receive tuition remission for one course in the fall semester and one course in the spring semester.
Davlin Family Scholarship in Aging
The Davlin Family Scholarship in Aging, endowed by a generous gift from Irene Frye in the name of the Davlin Family to honor Sr. Mary Clemente Davlin, O.P. who has helped the Dominican community pursue truth, give service, and create justice in sustained, visible, and transformational ways. Sr. Clemente's role as professor at Dominican University is well recognized. However, it is her role as mentor and spiritual guide to the Dominican University family of students, staff and faculty that has inspired countless generations. Sr. Clemente's life is representative of the contribution individuals can make throughout their lives.
The Horizons Project (HRSA Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students)
The Horizons Project: Recruiting, Retaining and Training Social Workers for Primary Care," will focus on increasing the number of individuals with master's degrees in social work employed in primary care settings in medically underserved communities in Chicago's Austin, North and South Lawndale, Pilsen, and East and West Garfield Park neighborhoods as well as in Lake County, Illinois. The grant will provide scholarships up to $30,000 per academic year for 28 students in Dominican's MSW program. Application available June 3, 2019.
Behavioral Health Training Interprofessional Project (BHTIP) Stipend
The BHTIP Stipend focuses on increasing the number of social work students trained to work in an integrated health setting. The recipients will complete an internship during their concentration year in an integrative health setting with an emphasis on interdisciplinary care. The stipends will be distributed monthly starting in September and total $10,000 for the academic year.
For more information, please contact Sheila Yousuf-Abramson (link sends e-mail), Assistant Director of Field Placement.
Scholarship in Gerontology
Applications closed for 2019: Learn More
The number of older adults is increasing with the number of baby boomers reaching 65 years of age daily. This scholarship supports students who are developing their training in working with older adults and their families. Students who are completing their internships with older adults and their families are available to apply. This scholarship is available for students completing their first or second year internship. Scholarships range from $2,000-$5,000 and are for Spring semester.
Kott Gerontology Institute Scholars Program (External funding from the Kott Memorial Charitable Trust)
The Kott Gerontology Program scholarships provide $10,000 for a standard academic year, paid directly to interns' universities for deposit into their personal student accounts. Three equal payments are disbursed during the fall, winter and spring. Interns are required to be registered as full-time students during their internships to maintain their scholarships. Partial and part-year scholarships are not offered, and internships are offered in the summer only under specific conditions relating to professional training schedules. The funds are for use as directed by individual Kott Gerontology Scholars to defray their academic expenses, including tuition, loan repayment and other expenses, and not for deposit into general university scholarship funds.
Scholarships for Study Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Learn more about the Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. Learn more about Eligibility Requirements.
When and How To Apply
The Gilman Scholarship Program accepts applications two times per year. Ideally, students should begin their application one full semester before their study abroad program is scheduled to begin. Learn more and access the online application.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations.
External Scholarship Resources for Undocumented Students
Educator for Fair Consideration
Chicago Star Scholarship
Chicago Public Schools Dream Fund
Choose Your Future CPS
The Dream. U.S.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
My Undocumented Life
Pritzker Access Scholarship (graduating students in Noble Street Charter School Network) (pdf)
Illinois Association of College Admission Counselling (IACAC)
Illinois Dream Fund
Msgr George Ruffolo Scholarship
DREAMers RoadMap
Minority and LGBT Student Scholarships
BestColleges.com Scholarships and Grants for Hispanic and Latino Students
Davis Putter Scholarship Fund
Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Gloria Mattera National Migrant Scholarship Fund
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Hispanic Engineers National Achievement Awards
Hispanic League
LGBT Scholarship List
Microsoft Scholarship Program
National Sculpture Society Scholarship
Radio Television Digital News Association
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarship
TELACU Education Foundation
The Division of Student Success and Engagement offers the following external scholarship information:
Scholarships for Multicultural Students
Scholarships for Latinx Students
Scholarships for African-American Students
Scholarships for International Study
Scholarships for Immigrant Students
Scholarships for Asian-American Students
Scholarships for Native-American Students
The Office of Research and Creativity offers information about the following external scholarships and fellowships:
Illinois Opportunities
External Scholarship Websites
There are several search databases on the web which can assist you in locating scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans available through the private sector. Start by exploring:
cappex.com
collegeanswer.com
collegezone.com
fastweb.com
internationalscholarships.com
learnliberty.org/opportunities
scholarships.com
scholarshipexperts.com
studentawardsearch.com
supercollege.com
Get advice from the College Board on developing your scholarship strategy and scholarship application tips and learn how to spot scholarship scams.