Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships are offered to eligible students and are renewed each year according to established requirements. Final scholarships are coordinated with other federal, state, and Defiance College sponsored awards and may be influenced by the student's on-campus or commuter status.
What's the difference between scholarships and grants?
Scholarships tend to be awarded based on merit, whereas grants tend to be awarded
based on financial need.
All awards are based on full time enrollment and are listed annual year amounts.
Academic Scholarships
Students are calculated individually based on a combination of GPA and ACT or SAT scores to determine eligibility for Dean’s, Pilgrim, Trustee, Achievement, or Merit Scholarship. Students who are not in nursing, biology, or education majors have the option as being calculated test optional which will look at a student's GPA to calculate eligibility.
For Students Entering Defiance College in Fall 2023
Dean's Scholarship, $24,000
Pilgrim Scholarship, $22,000
Trustee Scholarship, $20,000
Achievement Scholarship, $18,000
Merit Scholarship, $16,000
Transfer Scholarship, $15,000 - $19,000
Awarded to accepted full-time transfer students based on academic performance at all previously-attended colleges/universities.
Computer Science Scholarship, $2,000+
No scholarship application required. Eligibility:
- Ohio resident
- 3.2 or higher GPA in high school
- Apply and be accepted to Defiance College for priority consideration
- Must interview virtually with the Dean of the Institute for Pre-Health & Wellness Studies
- Must be/remain a computer science major
- Must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college
Richard W. Stroede Scholarship, $2,000
Available for incoming full-time students interested in participating in Music Programs at DC. Scholarship recipients are selected through on-site auditions prior to the student's first fall enrollment. Winners must enroll for a minimum of one credit hour per semester in music ensembles, and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Recipient must also take one credit hour of an applied lesson per semester. $2,000 annually (half per semester), renewable.
More Information | Audition Request
Service Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
New students with a demonstrated record of service in their communities are eligible. The Service Leadership program offers Defiance College students unique and meaningful programs to develop leadership skills that will strengthen their individual career interests and can include travel opportunities.
- Service Leadership applications are due March 1.
- Any applications after this date will be placed on a waiting list.
More Information | Award Application
eSports Scholarship, $1,500
Application required. Awarded annually to new students planning to participate in the eSports program. Each year, up to 10 incoming students with an interest in eSports are awarded this scholarship to continue their commitment to eSports.
New students must meet the following criteria:
- Full-time student
- Accepted to Defiance College
Music Talent Scholarship, $1,500
Available for incoming full-time students interested in participating in a music ensemble every semester at Defiance College. Scholarship recipients are selected through an application prior to the student's first fall enrollment. Winners must enroll for a minimum of one credit hour per semester in student music ensembles, and maintain a 2.0 GPA. $1,500 annually (half per semester), renewable.
More Information | Award Application
Cheer & Dance Scholarship, $1,000
Available for incoming, full-time freshmen/transfer students interested in cheer & dance. Applicants must cheer all seasons (football and basketball) and attend scheduled practices and other college functions as determined by the coach. The cheer & dance program supports travel expenses, including meals, lodging, uniforms, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Requirements:
- Full-time student
- Cheer experience (high school and/or all-star)
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- 4-8 hours a week of study tables required
NOTE: If you are participating in an intercollegiate sport, you are NOT eligible for this scholarship. - Renewable with continued participation
NW Ohio Residential Grant, $2,000
No application required, renewable. Eligibility:
- High school student from a northwest Ohio county (Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, or Wood)
- 2.8 or higher GPA
- Must plan to live on campus
- Financial need required
Contact the office of financial aid for more information at financialaid@defiance.edu or 419-783-2364.
Alumni Legacy Grant, $500
Awarded annually to dependents of DC alumni demonstrating financial need. If your parent attended or graduated from Defiance College, please contact the Financial Aid office at 419-783-2364 or financialaid@defiance.edu.
TEACH Grant
The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant program provides aid to an undergraduate student who agrees to serve for at least four years as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The award amount is $3,772 for grants first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2021.
A TEACH Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires the student to agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant, and if the student doesn’t complete the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that must repaid, with interest.
For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach, or contact the Financial Aid office at 419-783-2364 or financialaid@defiance.edu.
United Church of Christ (UCC) Grant, $500
Awarded annually to active members of a UCC church and demonstrating financial need. Verification from a church official may be required.
Apply for Financial Aid to apply for the following grants. You will be notified through your financial aid award letter if you are eligible.
Defiance College Grant
DC grants are awarded to full-time students who demonstrate need. The grant amount varies depending on need as determined by FAFSA.
Pell Grant
This is a federal grant with awards that range from $692 - $6,895 (2022-2023) per year. It is awarded to full or part-time students based on need as determined by FAFSA.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This is a federal grant awarded to full-time Pell-eligible students with the lowest expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA. Amount varies up to $2,000.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
This is a state grant awarded to full-time and part-time students who are Ohio residents who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA. Amount varies up to $4,200 (2022-2023).
Ohio War Orphans Grant
This state program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. This award is $6,170 (2022-2023) annually.
Apply at the Ohio Department of Higher Education: https://wos.ohiohighered.org/apexprod/rws_hei/r/525/1
Is there a deadline? The application deadline is May 15th of every year. The deadline for the 2023-2024
academic year is May 15, 2023. A complete application MUST be received or postmarked
by May 15th to be considered for the scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Any applications postmarked after May 15, 2023, will be considered for the 2024-2025
academic year.
Who is eligible? To receive War Orphans Scholarship benefits, a student must be an Ohio resident and
enrolled for full-time undergraduate study and pursuing an associate or bachelor's
degree at an eligible Ohio college or university. Applicants must apply between the
ages of 16 and 24.
How much aid is available? Scholarship benefits cover a portion of instructional and general fee charges at two
and four-year public institutions and a portion of these charges at eligible private
colleges and universities. The benefits are determined each year based on the number
of eligible applications.
How do I apply? Application is made to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, State Grants and
Scholarships Department.
