Scholarships and Grants

In recent years, EMU has offered close to $1 million alone in academic merit scholarships and grants collectively to students with outstanding academic achievement. Initial academic scholarships and grants range from $18,000 to $26,000 per year and are renewable for four years contingent upon academic performance.

Total aid awarded may not exceed cost of attendance. Institutional aid may not exceed tuition.

Click on the headings below to learn more about each scholarship and grant opportunity at EMU.

EMU Scholarships and Grants

EMU Promise Grant
The EMU Promise Grant covers 100 percent of all remaining tuition costs after state, federal, and institutional grants or scholarships have been awarded for residents of Virginia receiving the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant. You meet the basic criteria for eligibility if:
- You file the FAFSA (include EMU), and we receive a FAFSA report with a valid Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by Federal Student Aid.
- You are a first-time, full-time (12 to 18 credit hours per semester) undergraduate student admitted to a degree-seeking program. Those pursuing second degrees are not eligible.
- Your family’s 2022 federal income tax returns reflects an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $65,000 or less. Visit FAFSA Parent for information about how FAFSA defines family.
- You are a resident of Virginia who is eligible for VTAG, and you complete the VTAG application prior to the July 31 deadline.
Learn More
Academic Scholarships

Awarded to students based on high school GPA or previous college GPA. A separate application for academic scholarships is not required. Students who qualify for an academic scholarship will be notified with their admissions decision letter. See scholarship amounts for prospective students.

Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA (3.0 for President's Scholarship) at EMU to continue receiving the scholarship. Lost scholarships may not be regained. Academic scholarships are limited to 9 semesters of full-time career enrollment at EMU and at any prior higher education institutions. More information on the retention of academic scholarships can be found at Satisfactory Academic Progress.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
Math and Music Scholarships

Departmental scholarships require a separate application process. Learn more about departmental scholarships on the following pages:
● Math Major Scholarship
● Music Scholarships (available for both music majors and non-music majors)

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
Music, Peace, and Justice Program Grant

This grant fund is intended to accelerate program and faculty development and student recruitment and engagement in the music program, focused on EMU's distinctive Music and Peacebuilding program.
Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are generally funded by a family in honor of a loved one for a specific program. Most of these scholarships follow specific guidelines established by the endowment fund. Criteria include such items as GPA, major, place of residence, level of financial need, and demonstrated abilities. The financial assistance office works closely with appropriate academic departments to select recipients each year. EMU has many endowments that generate funds for financial aid. Most often, these funds are used to support institutional aid programs such as academic scholarships and need-based grants.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
EMU Grants

Awarded to students with exceptional financial need. Award amounts are based upon FAFSA results, EMU awarding rationale, and availability of funds.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
International Grants

Awarded to international students through the admission process only. This grant is limited to 10 semesters and students must be enrolled full-time to receive and retain the grant.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
Alumni Dependent Grant

An award of $1,000 is granted to students who have a parent(s) who is an alumnus of EMU. The grant is awarded for the first year of attendance. Students who are first-time attenders in the spring semester will be awarded $500.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
The Earl Frankenfield Family Immediate Impact Grant

The purpose of this grant fund is to provide direct financial support to undergraduate students with financial need enrolled for credit.
Tuition Discounts

Dependents of faculty and staff at Mennonite colleges, universities, high schools, and elementary schools are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Contact the financial assistance office for a list of participating schools or for more information.

This financial aid item is for tuition only.
Yoder/Webb Scholarship

Any prospective first year student admitted to EMU may apply for a Yoder/Webb Scholarship. Each year only a few students are selected as Yoder/Webb Scholars and rewarded with EMU’s highest academic award: a full-tuition scholarship for all four years.

The EMU honors faculty conduct the Yoder/Webb Scholars award process, rigorously evaluating candidates’ academic performance, community and extra-curricular involvement, creativity, clarity of thought, and leadership potential. Participation in the award process requires candidates to construct a portfolio of their high school achievements, write a series of essays, and meet with a member of EMU honors faculty for a one-on-one interview. Learn more and apply here.

*EMU became test blind for SAT/ACT as of March 2020. EMU does not require students to submit SAT and ACT test scores, nor will test scores be considered in the admissions evaluation.

Federal and State Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need. The award amount is determined annually by the U.S. Department of Education based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See Federal Pell Grant Information.

This financial aid item may be used for cost of attendance.
Federal Need-Based Grant

The federal need-based grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the award is determined by EMU based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funds are limited.

This financial aid item may be used for cost of attendance.

More information on the retention of federal grants can be found at Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal TEACH Grant/Loan

Available to students who are completing or plan to complete course work that is needed to begin a career in teaching. Applicants must file the FAFSA and have a high school GPA of 3.25 (on a
4.0 scale) or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) on college coursework or score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test to receive this grant. For more information go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach to learn more about the Federal TEACH Grant obligations and requirements or call the EMU financial assistance office at 540-432-4137.

This financial aid item may be used for cost of attendance.
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

VTAG is awarded to Virginia residents regardless of financial need. The amount is determined annually by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia. A VTAG application must be filed by July 31. Students who remain continuously enrolled full-time are not required to re-apply each year. Students who do not stay continuously enrolled may need to reapply.

This financial aid item may be used for cost of attendance.

Outside Agency Grants

Church Grants

Students who receive tuition assistance grants that originate from a congregation, a church conference, or a group of churches (any denomination) who have pooled resources for the purpose of providing tuition assistance grants are eligible for a matching grant from EMU. March 1 is the “preferred response date” for churches to inform EMU of their intent to send funds for students.

Undergraduate students (domestic, degree seeking, half-time or more enrolled) attending EMU may receive matching grants of up to $1,000 for the first $1,000 received, and a 1:4 match for amounts over $1,000.

The EMU Church Match is for tuition only. The Church Grant may be used for cost of attendance.
GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program

EMU participates in the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Learn more about using your veterans benefits at EMU.
Outside scholarships

High school guidance counselors maintain extensive files of local scholarship opportunities.

Students are encouraged to begin the research and application process early in their senior year of high school. A national scholarship database is also available at www.fastweb.com

Contact the financial assistance office if you have additional questions.