Institutional Scholarship Programs

Institutional Scholarship Programs

The scholarship and grant program at Piedmont University is designed to assist a wide range of students from various backgrounds. Funds are awarded annually to undergraduate students who exhibit exceptional academic and leadership skills, as well as to those who are in need of financial support and have demonstrated an enthusiasm for learning. Any scholarships above the cost of room, board, and tuition will be returned to the scholarship fund. Annual awards are based on the availability of funds.

At Piedmont University, institutional scholarships and grants are primarily awarded to undergraduate students.  Undergraduate institutional scholarships cannot be applied to programs that lead to a master’s degree.  Students enrolled in programs that move from undergraduate to graduate-level without graduating with a bachelor’s degree such as Athletic Training will have aid based on their current academic level.

Alpha Chi Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one graduating high school senior from each of the following Georgia counties: Habersham, Banks, Hall, White, Stephens, Rabun, and Towns. Recipients are selected based on a combination of GPA, SAT, and the quality and nature of high school activities.

Athens Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the President of Piedmont University. The number of recipients varies from year to year. Undergraduate recipients are required to enroll full time, attend the Athens Campus and be actively involved on campus. To be eligible for renewal, students are required to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.

Century Scholarship

In recognition of Piedmont University’s 124-year history, this award recognizes undergraduate boarding students for their outstanding academic and extra-curricular accomplishments. Annually renewable, the scholarship rewards students who actively participate in classroom, campus, and community activities that demonstrate good citizenship and character development during their high school or college careers. Specific award amounts and the number of recipients may vary depending on available institutional resources and individual qualifications. To continue receiving this award, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA each semester, reside on campus, and continue active involvement in campus and community activities throughout their undergraduate years at Piedmont University.

Deans Scholarships

This scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees of Piedmont University. The number of recipients varies on a yearly basis. Undergraduate recipients are required to live in campus housing and be actively involved on campus. To be eligible for renewal, students are required to maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.

Departmental Scholarships

The School of Arts and Science, Education, Business, and Nursing offer scholarships based on academic performance and dedication to the field of study. Departmental scholarship yearly allocations are depended on budget approval. Full-time enrollment is required. A scholarship committee within each school will determine recipients upon the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Financial Aid.

Lion Grant

Students who enroll at Piedmont University during high school as a dual-enrolled student, have a distinct advantage to receive additional scholarships if they enroll as full-time freshmen. The Piedmont University Lion Grant Program offers up to $2,500 per year to students who enroll and reside on the Demorest campus. This Lion Grant can be in addition to other academic and need-based grants, loans, and scholarships offered by Piedmont. Institutional aid cannot exceed cost of tuition. Total financial aid cannot exceed cost of attendance. The grant is only available fall and spring semesters. This grant requires acceptance to Piedmont, first-time boarding freshman status and involvement in at least one club or activity on campus. This grant is renewable as long as the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA while at Piedmont and resides on campus. Students must have completed at least one term at Piedmont while still in high school and earned a minimum 3.0 college grade point average or better.

Need-Based Grant

This grant was established by the administration of Piedmont University to help students meet unmet-need as defined by the United States Department of Education. Recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Award amounts will vary and may be adjusted each year. A student will be evaluated for the grant when a valid FAFSA is received by the university.  A FAFSA is required each year for the need-based grant.  Students that exhibit no need may not qualify for the need-based grant in future years.

Multi-Family Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the President of Piedmont University. Students who have a sibling attending Piedmont University at the same time as themselves would both be eligible for the multi-family scholarship.

Neighborhood Grant

For those 25 years of age and older who have been out of school and think that a college diploma is out of reach, Piedmont University has a financial aid program that could put them back on the path to earning a bachelor’s degree through the Neighborhood Grant Program. For qualified students, the Neighborhood Grant Program will cover 50 percent of tuition during the fall and spring semesters and a prorated amount during the summer semester. To qualify, applicants must live in one of the counties surrounding Piedmont University’s Demorest campus. Applicants must be at least 25 years old by the start of the term and seeking their first bachelor’s degree as commuting students attending Piedmont’s main campus in Demorest.

To qualify for the Neighborhood Grant Program, a student must show permanent residence in one of the following counties: Banks, Dawson, Elbert, Franklin, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, or White. Prospective students must be at least 25 years of age at the start of the semester and pursue a first bachelor’s degree through either day or evening classes at the Demorest Campus. A student must enroll in six or more hours per semester to qualify. Applicants may be eligible for additional state, and federal aid, but are ineligible for other institutional scholarships and grants. Students admitted into nursing and online programs are not eligible for the Neighborhood Grant Program. The number of students receiving grants is based on available funds, so interested students should apply as soon as possible. All admissions requirements apply.

Out of State Scholarship

This scholarship is given to first-time undergraduate students from outside the state of Georgia that will live on campus and have a 3.0 GPA or better in high school. This scholarship is applied towards housing costs. 

Piedmont Incentive Grant

The Piedmont Incentive Grant is given to students by the Scholarship Appeal Committee to have need and exhibited improvement in their GPA.

Premier Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship was established by the President of Piedmont University. Requirements for this scholarship include acceptance to Piedmont University, first-time boarding freshman status the fall semester immediately after high school graduation, and valedictorian of a HOPE eligible high school from the State of Georgia. Recipients are selected by the scholarship committee. The Premier Scholarship may provide up to the cost of tuition and will be reduced by any state and institutional aid a student receives. The number of recipients and the amount of the award vary from year to year. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher at the end of each semester. When a student has two consecutive semesters below the required GPA, the scholarship will be removed from the student’s account.Presidential Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees of Piedmont University. The number of recipients varies from year to year. Recipients are required to live in university housing and be actively involved on campus. To be eligible for renewal, students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.

Pride Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship was established by the administration of Piedmont University. The number of recipients varies from year to year. Recipients are required to live in university housing and be actively involved on campus. To be eligible for renewal, students are required to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.

RA Scholarship

This scholarship was established for resident assistants (RA) who are responsible for the development of communities within the residence hall of Piedmont University. These student leaders provide care, welfare, and safety assistance to the residents within the community. The director of residential education notifies the financial aid office each semester with the names of the RAs who will receive the scholarship. The scholarship is pro-rated if the RA moves off-campus during the semester.

Trustee Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees of Piedmont University to reward top academic applicants. The number of recipients and the amount of the award vary from year to year. Recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher at the end of each semester to remain eligible for renewal. The recipients are required to live in university housing and be actively involved on campus.

Endowed and Gifted Scholarships

The following undergraduate scholarships and grants are awarded annually pending availability of funding and are made possible through the generosity of donors to Piedmont University.

Institutional Scholarships and Aid Additional Information and Requirements

Undergraduate institutional scholarships require a student to remain enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program as a residential or commuter student depending on what the student’s status was at the time of the award. Awards will change for the student if moving online, changing campuses, state residency changes, being accepted into the nursing program, or enrolled in a 3/2 program when moving into the graduate degree.

• Students awarded scholarships for based on living on campus that move off-campus, may qualify for a merit commuting scholarship.
• Students in online-only programs are not eligible for institutional scholarships.
• Undergraduate institutional scholarships cannot be applied to programs that lead to a master’s degree. Students enrolled in programs that move from undergraduate to graduate-level without graduating with a bachelor’s degree such as Athletic Training will have aid based on their current academic level.
• Students awarded Out of State grants and become a Georgia State resident and eligible for State Aid, would no longer qualify for the Out of State Grant.

Students should contact the Financial Aid Office if their program, enrollment, campus, residency, or dorm status changes to discuss their financial aid options.