Scholarships & Grants

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Great Education Should Be Affordable

​That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and grants to help reduce the cost of your degree—funds you never have to repay.
​Many of these scholarships and grants are funded by generous donors - real people and institutions that believe in Marian’s mission for success and believe in you. Your Marian degree is not just a receipt - it is your ticket to the future, opening doors to endless possibilities and opportunities.
Browse through all the options below, and together, let’s pave the way for your academic success and turn your aspirations into reality.
Looking for Graduate Aid Options?

Freshman Student Scholarships

Freshmen who enroll full-time in a traditional undergraduate program receive either a Merit-based Scholarship or Partnership Award (not both) – the award of greater value will be applied.

​These awards may only be part of your total financial aid package. As a student, you are encouraged to complete a FAFSA to determine if you are eligible for additional funding. Additionally, scholarship opportunities may exist through your community involvement, places of employment, and other organizations. If you receive a scholarship from an organization outside of Marian, be sure to notify the Office of Financial Aid so that it is included on your financial aid award.

GPA criteria is based on the high school cumulative grade point average using an unweighted 4.00 grading scale. If multiple ACT/SATs are taken, the criteria are based on a composite “superscore” by averaging the best scores from each subject.

  • ​Merit Scholarships
  • ​Partnership Awards

Merit scholarships are offered to new, full-time, traditional undergraduate students and may be based on the student’s grade point average in high school and/or college, ACT or SAT test scores, and involvement in school and community activities. There is no separate application other than the admission application. These awards renew each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Academic Achievement Award

$18,000 per year
​A limited number of Academic Achievement Awards are granted each year to incoming first-year students based on high school performance and standardized test scores.

With Test: Candidates have a minimum GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale and have a minimum composite ACT score of 26/SAT 1240 or higher.

No Test: GPA 3.50 or higher.

Sr. Mary Mollison Legacy Scholarship

$16,000 per year
​Awarded each year to eligible students.

With Test: GPA of 2.80 or better on a 4.00 scale, and a minimum composite ACT score of 22-25/SAD 1100-1230.

No Test: GPA 3.01-3.49.

Trustee Scholarship

$15,000 per year
Awarded each year to eligible students.

With Test: GPA 2.50–2.79 GPA on a 4.00 scale, and a minimum composite ACT score of 21-25/SAT 1060-1230.

No Text: GPA 2.80-3.00.

Naber Leadership Scholarship

$14,000 per year
​Awarded each year to eligible students.

With Test: GPA 2.49 or lower on a 4.00 scale and composite ACT score of 21-25/SAT 1060-1230.

No Test: GPA 2.50-2.79.

Sr. Mary Sheila Burns Award

$14,000 per year
Awarded each year to eligible students demonstrating academic promise, leadership abilities, and involvement in school and community activities. Students must have a 2.49 GPA to qualify.

Partnership Awards recognize your connections and achievements, offering scholarships for participants in organizations like Boys & Girls Club, graduates of partner high schools, and awards for those related to partner organizations. These awards renew each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Badger Boys or Girls State

$11,000 per year
Award available to students who are graduating high school and attended Badger Boys or Girls State or a non-Wisconsin American Legion program.

​Boys and Girls Club of WI

$11,000 per year
Award available to students who are graduating high school with a minimum 2.50 GPA, and are a member of a Wisconsin Boys and Girls Club.

Catholic High Schools

$15,000 per year
Award is available to students graduating from a Catholic high school, with a minimum high school 2.00 GPA, and enrolling at Marian the fall after high school graduation.

Other High Schools

$15,000 per year
Award is available to students who graduate from a partnership high school listed below, with a minimum high school 2.00 GPA, and enroll at Marian the fall after high school graduation.

Partnership High Schools:
  • Brookfield Academy (Brookfield, WI)
  • Central Wisconsin Christian (Waupun, WI)
  • College Possible High Schools (Milwaukee, WI)
  • Fox Valley Lutheran (Appleton, WI)
  • Holy Redeemer/Young Coggs Prep (Milwaukee, WI)
  • Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (Jackson, WI)
  • Manitowoc Lutheran High School (Manitowoc, WI)
  • Milwaukee Lutheran High School (Milwaukee, WI)
  • Nobel Network of Charter Schools (Chicago, IL)
  • Sheboygan Lutheran High School (Sheboygan, WI)
  • Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam, WI)
  • Winnebago Lutheran Academy (Fond du Lac, WI)
  • Wisconsin Lutheran High School (Milwaukee, WI)
SSM Health

Half-Off Tuition
This partnership award is available to students who are graduating high school with a minimum 2.50 GPA and are a dependent of an SSM Health employee.

St. Lawrence Seminary High School

Half-Off TuitionThis partnership award is available to students who are graduating from St. Lawrence Seminary High School and have a minimum high school 2.00 GPA.​

​St. Mary's Springs Academy

Half-Off TuitionThis partnership award is available to students who are graduating from St. Mary’s Springs Academy and have a minimum high school 2.00 GPA.

Transfer Scholarships

Marian offers transfer scholarships to qualified, full-time students enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs. The undergraduate application for admission, along with all necessary transcripts, serves as the scholarship application.
GPA criteria is based on the cumulative grade point average of all colleges/universities attended. If less than 15 college credits have been earned, the high school GPA may also be taken into account.
  • GPA 3.20 or Higher
  • GPA 2.75-3.19
  • GPA 2.5-2.74
  • GPA 2.3-2.49
  • GPA 2.00-2.29
  • Back to School
Transfer Excellence Scholarship
$16,000 per year
This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.
Transfer Success Scholarship
$15,000 per year

This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Transfer Accomplishment Award
$12,000 per year

This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Transfer Fresh Start Award
$11,000 per year

This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Sr. Mary Sheila Burns Award
$11,000 per year

This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Back to School Scholarship
$15,000 per year

Awarded to students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree.

This award renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

​Additional Awards

Additional awards are available to freshmen or transfer students who enroll full-time in a traditional undergraduate program and may be awarded in addition to a merit-based or partnership scholarship.

  • ​Campus Visit Award 
  • CSA Legacy Award
  • ​Early Sabre Award
  • Family Discount
  • Legacy Award 
  • ​Out-of-State Award
  • ​Pre-College Program Award
  • ​Refer a Friend
​Campus Visit Award 

$1,000 per year

Students may attend multiple events, but only one Campus Visit Award is granted per student. This award is applied toward tuition and may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time as a traditional undergraduate, make progress toward your degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Criteria: Students who attend a visit hosted by the Office of Admission and enroll in Fall 2025 or later. Qualifying events are as follows:

  • General Campus Visit
  • Sabre Day (aka Open House)
  • Admit Day
  • Private College Week

Schedule a Visit

CSA Legacy Award

$2,000 per year

Criteria: Students whose relative is/was a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Students must include relative’s name and relationship on their admission application. If eligibility is verified, the award is automatically included on the acceptance letter. This award may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

​Early Sabre Award

$1,000 per year

Criteria: Students who apply for Fall 2023 (or later) and are admitted to Marian University prior to January 1st.

If eligibility is verified, the award is automatically included on the acceptance letter. This award may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Family Discount

$1,500 per year

Criteria: Students whose relative is currently enrolled full-time in a traditional undergraduate program at Marian University (relationships include sibling, parent, spouse, grandparent or child).

Students must include relative’s name and relationship on their admission application. If eligibility is verified, the Office of Business and Finance will credit each student’s account at the start of each semester. If either family member drops below full-time, even after the start of the semester, neither will be eligible for the discount, at which time an adjustment will be made.

Legacy Award 

$1,500 per year

Criteria: Students whose relative graduated from Marian University (relationships include sibling, parent, spouse, grandparent or child).

Students must include relative’s name and relationship on their admission application. If eligibility is verified, the award is automatically included on the acceptance letter. This award may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

​Out-of-State Award

$2,000 per year

Criteria: Students who reside in the United States (excluding Wisconsin).

If eligibility is verified, the award is automatically included on the acceptance letter. This award may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

​Pre-College Program Award

$500-$1,500 per year

Criteria: Students who complete a Marian University academic camp.

Students may attend more than one camp and earn an award for each. Marian University maintains a record of students who have attended, and the award is automatically included on the acceptance letter. This award may be granted in addition to other scholarships, awards, and discounts. It renews each year – provided you are enrolled full-time, make progress toward your undergraduate degree, and maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher.

​Refer a Friend

Criteria: Current and new full-time undergraduate students are eligible to receive a tuition discount. (Not eligible between siblings because the Family Discount will apply instead.)

Spread the word and encourage others to apply by filling out the Refer a Friend form. Refer as many friends as you’d like because you are eligible for unlimited referral discounts! The only catch is that YOU have to be the first to refer your friend because if someone else has already referred them, the discount will go to them instead.

You and your friend will BOTH receive the tuition discount after your friend completes an admission application, gets admitted to the University, and remains enrolled in classes past the Add/Drop date.

Processing: The information provided on the form will be verified by the Office of Admission and communicated to the Office of Financial Aid. The current student’s discount(s) will be applied to their following semester tuition bill. The new student’s discount will be applied to their first semester tuition bill.

Current Student = Attended Marian University during a previous semester and is currently enrolled to continue attendance.

New Student = Attending Marian University for the first time.

​International Award
$19,000 per year

International freshman and transfer students are eligible for this award. It will be presented in the acceptance letter and awarded to students who enroll full-time in a traditional daytime undergraduate program. The award renews annually as long as full-time enrollment and a 2.00 cumulative GPA are maintained.​

​Connect with Our Friendly Financial Aid Staff

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Grants

Our financial aid team will automatically consider available grant opportunities as part of your overall financial aid package, ensuring you receive the support you deserve. Here are some grant options that may be included in your offer.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is for qualified undergraduate students enrolled at Marian University and seeking their first undergraduate degree. The amount awarded is based on a formula set by the U.S. Department of Education. Students are limited to receive Pell Grant no more than 12 full-time semesters, or the equivalent of 6 full-time academic years. Students can review their Lifetime Eligibility Used by accessing the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per academic year depending on the student’s need and funds available.

Indian Student Assistance Grant

There are federal and Wisconsin state grants for Native American students that are registered with a tribal agency, depending on student qualifications and availability of funds. Recipients must be at least one-fourth Native American Indian as certified by the appropriate tribal agency. Certification forms are available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office or the State Higher Educational Aids Board Office.

Marian University Family Discount

The Marian University Family Discount aids families in which two or more members from the same household are simultaneously enrolled as full-time traditional undergraduate students enrolled in the daytime program at Marian. This discount provides a $1,000 maximum annual benefit ($500 per semester) per family member.

Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP)

The Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP) is a grant available to Wisconsin resident students who are in need. First-year students may be nominated by a Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program Officer or through the Office of Financial Aid. The FAFSA is required and early application is encouraged. This grant is renewable for four years and ranges up to $1,800 per year.

Wisconsin Grant (WI Grant)

This grant is restricted to Wisconsin residents who file their FAFSAs early and are enrolled at least half-time. The amount of the grant is based on a formula using the student’s student aid index (from the FAFSA). The maximum grant is determined by the State of Wisconsin. The FAFSA is the only application required. Students are limited to 10 semesters of this grant.

Marian Grant

This is an institutional grant that is awarded based on the student’s remaining need after Federal, State and Institutional awards. Students must be full-time to receive this and complete a FAFSA.

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