Scholarships & Grants
Full-Tuition Scholarships are Available
Helping students more fully realize their potential and strengths remains the greatest tradition of Southwestern College.
Faculty and staff support and challenge students, helping them to become successful, service-minded citizens of the world. At SC we value strength of character and academic purpose, and this focus has led the college to offer four full-tuition awards for first-year students and one full-tuition transfer scholarship annually.
The 2025 Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship application will open on December 1, 2024.
All materials need to be submitted by Monday, January 20, 2025.
The 2026 Pillars Academic Scholarship application will open on November 1, 2025.
If you wish to be contacted when the 2026 Pillars Academic application becomes available, please sign up below:
The Pillars Academic Scholarship and the Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship are competitive awards. We suggest each qualified student consider applying for one of these scholarships. Southwestern College works throughout the admission process to help meet the financial assistance needs of our students and their families. In recognition of this commitment, SC is able to consider each student for either the Pillars Academic or Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship, not both. The full description of each scholarship and qualifications can be found on the following page. If you are unsure which scholarship is a better fit for you please contact the Office of Admission at 800-846-1543.
Finalists will receive invitations to participate in the competition. The competition consists of a timed essay and an interview with faculty/staff members. Each finalist who attends the competition on campus will receive a renewable $1,000 scholarship. Four finalists will be selected, based on the outcome of the essay and interview, to receive full-tuition scholarships.
To be considered for the Pillars Academic Scholarship, qualified students must:
- have earned a 3.5 or greater cumulative high school GPA OR have received a 25 or higher ACT composite score (or equivalent SAT)
- complete the Pillars Academic Scholarship Application
- submit your application for admission and supporting materials to SC by Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Finalists will receive invitations to visit campus in November to complete an essay and interview with faculty/staff members.
To be considered for the Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship, qualified students must:
- complete the Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship Application.
- submit your application for admission and supporting materials to SC by Monday, January 20, 2025.
Finalists will receive invitations to visit campus in February to complete an essay and interview with faculty/staff members.
Transfer Scholarship Competition
What?
- One full-tuition scholarship
- Renewable for up to three years
- All competitors who participate in the competition receive an additional $1,000 renewable scholarship
- Competition includes a 20-minute interview and 50-minute essay
- Information sessions provided on academics and student life at Southwestern
Application and additional information can be found at the link below:
Every first-year full-time student receives financial assistance from SC.
Domestic students entering Southwestern directly from high school in Fall 2023 averaged more than $31,000 in combined grants, scholarships, need-based loans, and need-based work study.
2024-2025 Academic Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a student’s academic record and optional ACT or SAT score. Amounts vary and are available to incoming Southwestern students attending main campus courses. Southwest-ern scholarships are renewable for up to 10 semesters provided the student maintains a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Accepted students may receive one academic scholarship and one activity/athletic scholarship.
Southwestern College Academic Scholarship awards will be determined at the time of admission. The following represents academic awards available to first-time freshman students. Southwestern College uses the unweighted GPA for consideration of admission and scholarship.
FRESHMEN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS |
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| 2.6 – 2.99 GPA | 3.0 – 3.49 GPA | 3.5 + GPA | |
| 18 – 20 ACT | $6,000 Jinx |
$8,000 Founders |
$10,000 Heritage |
| 21 – 24 ACT | $8,000 Founders |
$10,000 Heritage |
$11,000 Dean |
| 25 – 29 ACT | $10,000 Heritage |
$11,000 Dean |
$12,000 Provost |
| 30 + ACT | $10,000 Dean |
$12,000 Provost |
$13,000 Presidential |
| 2.6 – 2.99 GPA | 3.0 + GPA | ||
| WITHOUT TEST | $6,000 | $8,000 | |
Southwestern College Academic Scholarship awards will be determined at the time of admit (acceptance). The average athletic/activity scholarship is $8,000 per year. Actual activity scholarship may vary. |
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TRANSFER ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS |
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| GPA | Scholarship |
| 3.3 – 4.0 | $12,000 Provost |
| 3.0 – 3.29 | $10,000 Heritage |
| 2.5 – 2.99 | $8,000 Founders |
| 2.0 – 2.49 | $6,000 Jinx |
Southwestern College Academic Scholarship awards will be determined at the time of admit (acceptance). The average athletic/activity scholarship is $8,000 per year. Actual activity scholarship may vary. |
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* The amounts listed in the freshman grid are based on living on campus. Should a student decide to live off-campus, the scholarship will be reduced by 40%. {1} Need-based funds will be added to the student’s base amount where appropriate. {2} Best composite ACT is used. Last test date to improve test score for financial aid is June. {3} Students may receive one athletic/activity scholarship in addition to their academic scholarship. {4} Should a student receive a scholarship from their church community, the amount of the scholarship will be matched by Southwestern up to $500 per semester ($1,000 per year). To receive the match, church funds must be received by September 1 of the fall semester (application required). {5} Southwestern scholarships are renewable provided the student maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA. {6} Once the financial aid award is set for the year, it is guaranteed for each year thereafter, provided the student meets financial aid deadlines, the renewal GPA, and continues living on campus.
Southwestern College Stackable Grants
Stackable Grants can be used in addition to other scholarships. Grants include Legacy Moundbuilders (parent or grandparent Alumni), or Cowley/Sumner County residents both worth $1,000 per year.
- $1,000 Cowley/Sumner County Residents
- $1,000 Alumni/Legacy Moundbuilders
Activity Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students participating in designated Southwestern College activity programs. Scholarships vary in amount and often require an audition, interview, or tryout with the college’s activity director or coach. Students may participate in multiple activities, but they may receive only one activity/athletic scholarship. The scholarships are renewable provided the student continues to participate in the activity and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
Athletics & Activities
Activities |
Athletics
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Scholarship & Grant Info from Financial Aid
The Financial Aid office has additional resources and information for the following areas:
Grants & Scholarships
Southwestern College Grant
Developed through the contributions of giving alumni and friends, the SC grant option is made available to a select amount of students each year that have demon-strated need. The amounts vary, but are made available to students when they have been admitted and filed their FAFSA. Students are notified of this award through their official award letter.
Roy L. Smith Church Matching Scholarship
A scholarship matching program up to $1,000 offered to students enrolled in main campus, undergraduate programs who receive scholarships from churches of any denomination. Funds to be matched must be received by the Office of Financial Aid by September 1 of each year.
Dollars for Scholars
Southwestern College partners in the Triple Your Dollars program through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation’s Dollars for Scholars program. Eligible students that complete the UMHEF application (UMHEF.org) and receive a $1,000 from their Methodist church, will receive a matching donation from UMHEF. Once that match is received at SC, we apply the Roy L. Smith Church Matching Scholarship of $1,000 to those amounts, helping the student triple their dollars. Funds made available by UMHEF are limited each year, so students should apply early to gain first consideration. Learn more at www.umhef.org/scholarships/umdfs.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
First-time transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa are eligible to receive a $4,000.00 renewable scholarship. Students must notify the Office of Admission and provide proof of membership to receive this award, prior to receiving a financial aid estimate or financial aid offer letter. High School seniors with dual credit enrollment are not eligible for PTK scholarships. Transfer PTK students admitted into the Honors program may receive either the PTK scholarship or the Honors scholarship.
Tuition Exchange
Children of full-time employees at private colleges and universities that participate in tuition exchange programs are eligible for substantial tuition benefits at Southwestern College. Southwestern College participates in two tuition exchange programs: www.tuitionexchange.org and www.cic.org. Eligible individuals should identify themselves with the Southwestern College Office of Admission and apply for the benefit through the tuition exchange officer at the parent’s place of employment.
Military Benefits
Military education benefits are available for students currently serving on Active Duty, for veterans who have served on Active Duty, and for their spouses and children. Learn more »
Outside Scholarships and Opportunities
There are a host of scholarships and grants that exist outside of Federal, State, and Institutional aid. Many sites are devoted to linking students to these opportunities. Here are a few links to consider as you build your financial plan for college:
