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Clark University
Office of
Financial Assistance

Merit-Based Scholarships

Clark University offers a variety of merit-based scholarships. Consideration is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and personal qualities during their secondary school years. Merit-based scholarship decisions are solely based on information presented in the admission application without consideration of financial need. Admitted students who receive a merit-based scholarship will be notified at the time of admission.

All applicants are automatically considered for all merit-based scholarships with the exception of the Presidential Scholarship which requires a separate application.  Please refer to the Presidential Scholarship application process below.

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is a highly esteemed scholarship awarded to approximately five exceptional students annually. It recognizes individuals who stand out due to their outstanding academic achievements and leadership potential, placing them among the top applicants to Clark.

This scholarship covers full tuition, as well as on-campus housing and meals for all four years, regardless of a family’s financial situation.

How to apply

To apply for the Presidential Scholarship, indicate your interest by selecting the corresponding option when you complete the Common Application or Coalition Application with Scoir.

After indicating your interest, you will receive detailed information on how to complete your scholarship application.

Application deadline

  • Early Decision I and Early Action: November 15th
  • Early Decision II and RegularDecision: January 15th

Finalists will be selected to interview in January from the Early Decision I and Early Action rounds. A second round of finalists will be selected to interview in March. All students will receive an update on their status for the scholarship by the end of March.

The Admissions committee selects finalists based on the strength of their admission applications and other specific criteria identified by the committee.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Gift Aid

Gift aid is financial aid that does not need to be repaid.  Students must reapply annually, generally through submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Clark University Grant

Institutional need-based scholarship awarded on the basis of annual need.  Must reapply annually.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOGs are awarded to students that have the most financial need.

State Grants

State grants include the MASSGrant, the Gilbert Matching Grant and the Vermont Incentive Grant.

Self-Help

Self-help is financial aid that needs to be repaid or earned.  Students must reapply annually, generally through submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Federal Direct Stafford Loans may be awarded as subsidized or unsubsidized.

For the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan, no interest accrues while the student is enrolled in school on at least a half time basis or during the six-month grace period following the student’s separation from school.

For the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, interest accrues while the student is enrolled in school and capitalizes, becoming part of the principal balance, when the student enters repayment six months after the student separates from school.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) represents an opportunity for students to work and earn up to the amount awarded.  FWS is not deducted from the bill.

Private Scholarships

If you receive a private scholarship, you must inform the Clark University Office of Financial Assistance in writing. Private scholarships are considered part of your aid package.

Sources of Private Scholarships
  • Your high school
  • Your parent’s employer
  • Your current employer
  • Your place of worship
Online Scholarship Resources

Transfer Student Scholarships

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Scholarship
  • You must have been nominated to the Phi Theta Kappa/All-USA Academic Team.
  • You must be transferring to Clark with an associate’s degree from a two-year college.
  • You must send in your admission application and all supporting credentials by the transfer application deadline.

Other Scholarships

Segal AmeriCorps Scholarship

The Segal AmeriCorps Scholarship reinforces Clark University’s commitment to community service as embodied in its motto: “Challenge Convention. Change Our World.”  To be eligible, you must be a recipient of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and a full-time undergraduate day student admitted into a degree program at Clark University.  Clark matches your scholarship dollar for dollar.  Renewal of your scholarship will be in accordance with Clark’s scholarship guidelines and your continued eligibility for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

Clark University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) portion of the Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The YRP is a partnership between the University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist eligible students with tuition expenses.

Tuition Exchange Scholarship

Clark University is a member of the nationwide Tuition Exchange Program, which serves current faculty and staff employed at participating institutions.  Member colleges and universities set their own policies for determining a student’s eligibility.  If you wish to learn about your eligibility for acceptance at Clark through the Tuition Exchange Program, you must work with the Tuition Exchange liaison officer at your parent’s institution.

Contact Information

Office of Financial Assistance

Office Location

Clark University
Office of Financial Assistance
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610

1-508-793-7478

1-508-793-8802(Fax)

finaid@clarku.edu

office hours

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.