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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

Alumni Memorial
Alumni Promise
Bill Anderson
Russell Archer
Edward & Alice Ariail
James and Marilyn Armstrong 
Thomas A. (Gus) Arrendale III
Seaborn and Dana Smith Ashley
Moe Bandy
Evelyn R. and Robert E. Bowman Jr.
E.L. and Mildred Brooking Memorial
Grace McGahee and Earl Clement Brown
Jim Ed Brown
Marilyn Brown (Nursing)
Louise Ellison Callam 
Jimmy Capps
Thomas Winford Carlan
Albert W. Carter (Nursing)
Malcom Boyd Dana and Earl Kendall Carter
Mildred Cain Chambers
T. Hoyt and Lucile Addison Chambers
George Elton and Helen Cowan Clark
Jack H. Clarke
Dr. W. Ray Cleere 
Pemberton Cooley
Coach James Charles Cooper
Audrey Davenport
Billy Dillworth
Glenn and Edna Ellard
Annie Ensminger Memorial
Henry M. Enterline
Alexandra Faerber
Jerry M. Flint
Sam H. and Mary Jane A. Flint
H.B. Forester
Christina Brown Garrett (Theatre)
Griggs, Mary L Griggs (Mathematics)
Mack Guest, III
W.L. and Gladys S. Hallford
 Harold S. Hannum
Harold and Anna Hannum
J. Edward Harp Memorial
Hayes Chevrolet of Baldwin
Heathman (Nursing) 
Flay and Patricia McBrayer Heaton
Charles W. and Flora B. Henderson
Lee Heuson
Earl D. and Nelle Hood Higdon
Wallace Hinson Concert Choir
Frank and Mary Holcomb
L. Gladys Holcomb
Marion T. Hunt 
Thomas Telford "Tommy" Irvin
William Carlos (Bill) Jackson 
Imogene T. Johnson Graduate Education
Jim and Jane Johnson
Marvin L. and Mildred L. Johnson
Louise Kidder Davis 
Robert J. and Lavinia Knox King
Evelyn E. Knight
Mary C. Lane Graduate
Mary C. Lane Undergraduate  
Kelly Lang
Laschicotte-Strickland 
Atos D. "Joe" and Peggy Joyce Oliver Lattanzi
Reverend Dr. and Mrs. W.R.  Lessor
Theodore Leverett
Marjorie Lewis
Vera S. Lindgren
James Jr. and Ruby K. Lord
Carroll Love
Lowe-Black
Corian Stambaugh Lundquist
J. Louis and Helen J. Martens
Dr. Bill H. Mason
Dr. Maud E. McPherson
Shirley Jordan Meeks
James F. Mellichamp (Music)
Stuart P. Mellichamp
Dr. Thomas B. Musser and Dorothy B. Musser
Nichols International Travel
Nickerson Congregational Heritage
Dr. Pearl Nix
Coach Cave O'Neal 
Charles C. and Lillian A. Parkhurst
Walter G. and Jerush Montez Paskowsky
W. Nelson Payne
Frances Peach 
C. Lisle and Mable S. Percy
Walter, Dr. James E. And Elizabeth Perry 
Phillip J. Prescott
Deane Mathis Puckett
Dr. Claude and Mrs. Merle Purcell
Thurmon Wiley Purcell
Jesse W. and Minnie S. Randall
Dr. W. Silas Roberts
Robertson Kindness 
Jonathan C. Rogers
Mary Barrett Roper
Alice J. Russell
Howard Sanders Optimist 
Elizabeth Sawyer
Jeannie Seely 
Jean Shepard
T.G. Sheppard
James F. Sievers
Roberts, Dr. W. Silas 
W. Ben and Nelle T. Singleton
Mr. Dock Sisk
Dr. W. Baxter and Fannie H. Smith
Lillian Smith
William Henkle Smith
Eloise C. Spaeth (Nursing)
W.O. Spaeth
Grady and Ann Starnes
Homer W. Stevens
Ralph L. Strucher and Helen Scheunemann Strucher
Student Bridge Grant
Student Retention Scholarship
Horace W. Sturgis
Helen Kay Swanson 
Lamar & Peggy Hill Taylor
Bunny Teeslink  
The Torch of Piedmont
Eva Tuttle
Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent
Albert L. Vulcano (Nursing)
Susan Diane Wade
Isacc L. Walker 
Dr. James E. and Elizabeth Perry Walter 
T. Alan Wansley 
Charles H. Wharton 
Lettie Pate Whitehead
Harriet Davis Wilbanks
Wallace Roy Wood
Frances Wood Wilson
C. Paul Worley, Sr.
Ernest D. Wright
Camp Younts  

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.

• Due to the residential requirement of the merit-based scholarships, all these scholarships will be applied to student accounts as 50% toward tuition and 50% toward housing costs unless in conflict with stipulations of a regulatory agency.

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