Scholarships
We’re committed to making your academic adventure as affordable as possible. Each year, St. Lawrence University awards more than $70 million worth of gift aid—that is, financial assistance that does not have to be repaid, such as scholarships and grants.
St. Lawrence Visit Award
We know this place is special, and we bet you’ll feel it too once you’re here.
We offer a $1,000 Visit Award to any prospective student who completes an official visit to our campus by no later than December 1 (Early Action applicants) or February 2 (Early Decision or Regular Decision applicants) of their senior year. Transfer applicants who complete an official visit before their application deadline (November 3 for spring and March 2 for fall) are also eligible for this award.
Like most St. Lawrence scholarships, this award is renewable annually for four years, totaling $4,000.
Academic Merit Scholarships
When you apply to St. Lawrence University, you will automatically be considered for one of our academic merit scholarships based on your entire admissions application. This includes your academic record such as courses taken, grades earned, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (if submitted), as well as co-curricular activities, the essay, and an interview (if applicable). Competition varies each year depending on the applicant pool.
Your merit scholarship will remain constant each year for four years, provided you maintain the required minimum cumulative grade point average.
Please note that the Augsbury/North Country Scholarship and the Trustee Scholarship are not automatically awarded. Both involve a competitive selection process and require additional steps on the part of the applicant. See details below.
As the first co-educational institution in New York State, St. Lawrence has never been afraid to do things differently. Inspired by the year of our founding, the 1856 Award is given to students who value innovation and originality. It recognizes those who think out of the box to better themselves and their community.
Herring-Cole Hall is one of St. Lawrence’s most historic and loved spaces—a place for curiosity and reflection. This award recognizes students with clear intellectual and creative promise and who possess a deep love for learning.
Inspired by the nearby Adirondack Mountains, the High Peaks Scholarship is awarded to students who embrace adventure and demonstrate resilience in pursuit of their goals. They view new challenges as opportunities to learn more about themselves and the world around them.
Inspired by the brilliant skies that illuminate the North Country, this award recognizes students who shine brightly in their communities through service and leadership. These students lead with energy, optimism, and compassion, and they are ready to light the way for others at St. Lawrence.
The Scarlet & Brown Award is inspired by those who embody the pride, tradition, and community spirit of St. Lawrence. It is given to students who demonstrate great potential to make a positive and lasting impact at St. Lawrence and who define what it means to be a Laurentian.
The Augsbury/North Country Scholarship (ANCS) was established in 1974 and recognizes academic and extracurricular leaders among designated North Country and Canadian high school students. Students can be nominated by their high school or nominate themselves.
Nominees who are named ANCS Scholars will receive a scholarship worth up to $50,000 for each of their four years at St. Lawrence ($200,000 total), while nominees who are admitted to St. Lawrence but not named ANCS Scholars will receive an annual award worth at least $35,000 for four years ($140,000 total).
The Kirk Douglas Scholarship is awarded to a select group of students who have demonstrated high levels of academic promise, leadership skills, ambition, and the potential to make significant contributions to the campus community at St. Lawrence. This scholarship covers the full comprehensive fee and program expenses. Semifinalists will be selected by the Office of Admissions and contacted in the late winter to schedule a Zoom interview. Kirk Douglas Scholars will be named in the early spring.
This full-tuition scholarship is awarded to the top first-year students in each enrolling class based on their academic excellence, character, and leadership. Semifinalists will be selected by the Office of Admissions and contacted in the late winter to schedule a Zoom interview. Trustee Scholars will be named in the early spring.
Specialty Scholarships
St. Lawrence University also offers domestic students a range of scholarship opportunities based on career and extracurricular interests, leadership, service, and other factors.
Please note: St. Lawrence does not “stack” scholarships. You can be awarded only one merit or specialty scholarship. If you qualify for both a merit and specialty scholarship or for multiple specialty scholarships, the scholarship with the highest monetary value will be awarded to you.
The Environmental Scholars Program recognizes domestic first-year students who have a strong commitment to some aspect of sustainability, conservation, climate change, or a related topic and have completed activities and/or academic work that demonstrates that interest.
This scholarship is worth up to $200,000, or up to $50,000 per year for four years.
The Admissions Committee will gather information from your Common Application or St. Lawrence Application, so please provide all aspects of your environmental work and advocacy within the application.
Deadline: Please submit all required scholarship application materials at the same time that you submit your Common Application or St. Lawrence Application for admission.
The Presidential Distinction Scholarship (PDS) is awarded to students who have demonstrated impactful leadership, service work, or other meaningful engagement with the goal of furthering the support and recognition of all members of their community. This scholarship is worth up to $200,000, or up to $50,000 per year for four years.
Examples of meaningful engagement include, but are not limited to:
- Some type of critical reflection on individuality (e.g., overcoming a challenge, personal growth, or resiliency based on a facet of personal history)
- Leadership in a relevant club or organization in one’s high school or community
- Organization of or participation in one or more of the following: event development, fundraising, starting/re-starting a club or organization, raising awareness
If interested, please complete the Specialty Scholarship Application Form. The form will explain your options for applying for the PDS.
Deadline: Please submit all required scholarship application materials at the same time that you submit your Common Application or St. Lawrence Application for admission.
The Vilas Scholarship, named in honor of successful Wall Street financier Homer A. Vilas (Class of 1913), supports students interested in entrepreneurship or a career in business. This scholarship is worth up to $200,000, or up to $50,000 per year for four years.
Deadline: Please submit all required scholarship application materials at the same time that you submit your Common Application or St. Lawrence Application for admission.
Additional Award Opportunities and Resources
In addition to our academic merit and specialty scholarships, there are a number of other resources you might consider looking into depending on your interests and eligibility.
Designed for high school juniors, the Book Award Scholarship program honors students who have distinguished themselves in their commitment to some aspect of sustainability, conservation, climate change, or a related topic regarding environmental awareness and/or advocacy.
Students must be nominated by a high school teacher or counselor; recipients receive a select book, plus a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 each year for four years) to attend St. Lawrence University.
Available directly from the U.S. Army or the U.S. Air Force, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships typically cover full tuition and provide a stipend and book allowance. Additionally, ROTC students may receive a St. Lawrence grant or scholarship to cover room and board.
Athletic scholarships at St. Lawrence University are available only for men and women’s ice hockey.
Under NCAA rules, athletic scholarships are strictly prohibited for Division III athletes; additionally, athletic involvement must not be a consideration for merit scholarships or need-based financial aid.
Outside of what’s available to you as an incoming St. Lawrence student, you may also wish to seek opportunities with local, community-based, or corporate- and foundation-supported scholarship programs.
Requirements, application processes, and deadlines will vary greatly between programs. Be sure to plan ahead! To get started:
- Ask your high school guidance or college counselor for details about local programs
- Check with your parents/family members to see if their place of employment offers scholarships or other funding programs for dependents
- Take your search online with reputable scholarship database websites, such as FastWeb.com and FinAid.org. Others include:
Lastly, we caution all families to thoroughly research any agency that claims they can find and guarantee you outside financial aid awards for a fee. Find out if the service is legitimate by contacting a member of our Financial Aid team or calling a consumer agency such as the Better Business Bureau.