First-Year Merit-Based Scholarships
Scholarships are determined and awarded at the time of acceptance, no additional forms are required to be considered for these merit-based scholarships. Your merit-based scholarship will be automatically applied to each of your four years of consecutive full-time undergraduate study at Saint Mary's College.
Merit-based scholarships are contingent upon successful academic progress while enrolled at Saint Mary's College. These amounts may be combined with other Saint Mary's College scholarships, possible additional need-based aid for which students might qualify.
| Name of Scholarship |
Scholarship Amount |
Total Scholarship Amount |
| Presidential Scholarship | $30,000 annually | $120,000 total |
| Honors at Entrance Scholarship | $29,000 annually | $116,000 total |
| Gael Scholar’s Award | $26,000 annually | $104,000 total |
| Benildus Award | $20,000 annually | $80,000 total |
| Cordero Award | $13,000 annually | $52,000 total |
A note about merit-based scholarships:
The total of merit-based scholarships cannot exceed Saint Mary's College tuition. Merit-based awards are applied towards any demonstrated need-based aid eligibility. Students who receive the combination of the Presidential and Lasallian Leadership scholarships may compete for any other merit awards; the maximum number of merit awards a student may receive is three. If the combination of merit scholarships and Cal Grant or the Tuition Exchange award exceed tuition, the merit-based scholarship will be reduced.
Lasallian Leadership Award
Scholarships are determined and awarded at the time of acceptance, no additional forms are required to be considered for this scholarship. The scholarship will automatically be applied each of your four-years of consecutive full-time undergraduate study -- toward your first bachelor's degree -- at Saint Mary's College.
This award is available to admitted first-year students graduating from De La Salle Christian Brothers high schools. Students from other historically Lasallian affiliated schools (Carondelet High School in Concord, CA; San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, CA; Garces Memorial in Bakersfield, CA) may also qualify. Recipients can combine these awards with one of the listed merit-based scholarships determined at the time of acceptance.
Scholarship amount per year: $13,000
Total Scholarship Amount over 4-academic years: $52,000
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship valued at $2,000 is available to new first-year and transfer students who are the children or grandchildren of Saint Mary’s College alumni. Qualification as an 'alumni' constitutes successful completion of an Undergraduate (B.A. or B.S.) or Graduate (M.A., M.S., MBA, MFA, M.Ed, Ed.D) degree from the college. The scholarship amount of $2,000 is annually renewable for up to three years of consecutive full-time undergraduate study, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.
To apply: Eligible legacy applicants will be automatically awarded upon contingent acceptance to the college.
*Please note: This award may be combined with other Saint Mary’s College Scholarships for up to a maximum of three separate awards, which may not exceed the cost of tuition. These awards will be applied against any financial need that you may demonstrate through the filing of the Free Application of Federal Student Aid. Please note that should you later prove eligible for any Pell and or California Grant aid, the maximum amount of gift aid that you will be awarded will not exceed the cost of tuition.
You may contact Jenna Sciarrino, Associate Director of Admissions, at jcs22@stmarys-ca.edu if you have any questions.
Departmental Scholarships
Students may only compete for one Departmental Scholarship. To be considered, applicants must submit all Saint Mary's application materials including their application, high school transcript, and one letter of recommendation on or before the admissions Early Action Application Deadline of January 15, 2021.
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Additional materials and letter(s) of recommendation can be emailed to scholarships-smcuser@stmarys-ca.edu.
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Invited applicants must interview with faculty from their department of interest on-campus during our Scholarship Saturday event held on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
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Auditions for Performing Arts Scholarships auditions will be held virtually on Saturday, January 23, 2021 (with overflow dates on Sunday, January 24, 2021).
Annual departmental scholarships have an award amount of $13,000 ($52,000 in total) and are available to selected incoming first-year students.
Departmental programs will also award a total of three merit-based full-tuition scholarships to students for notable academic excellence.
| Name of Departmental Scholarship |
Application Materials |
Application Link |
|
Accounting and Business Administration |
A brief 1-page essay (describing your academic goals and career pursuits) *Only a handful of students who self-nominate will be selected to interview* |
Apply for the Accounting & Business Administration Scholarship HERE! |
|
Art Practice and Visual Arts |
An essay (<500 words), describing the applicant’s interest and qualifications for the scholarship. |
Apply for the Art Practice Scholarship HERE! |
|
English |
Two letters of recommendation, one to be written by the applicant’s junior or senior year |
Apply for the English Scholarship HERE! |
|
History |
A list of history classes taken in high school including the titles of texts read in each class. |
Apply for the History Scholarship HERE! |
|
Integrated Liberal Arts and Sciences |
Two letters of recommendation from individuals testifying to the applicant’s interest in the Integral Program. |
Apply for the Integral Program Scholarship HERE! |
|
Mathematics |
*Students interested in participating in the Scholarship Competition must participate in |
Apply for the Mathematics Scholarship HERE! |
|
Performing Arts |
Annual merit-based scholarships of $13,000 are available to selected incoming first-year students |
Apply for the Performing Arts Scholarships HERE! |
|
Physics |
Students will be asked to participate in a lab activity. You must participate in the lab activity to be eligible to receive the scholarship. |
Apply for the Physics Scholarship HERE! |
|
Politics |
A letter of recommendation from an individual testifying to the applicant’s interest in politics. |
Apply for the Politics Scholarship HERE! |
|
Theology and Religious Studies |
A personal essay of (<1000) words addressing the following: |
Apply for the Theology & Religious Studies Scholarship HERE! |
*Please note, in-person competition dates are subject to change based on county and school health guidelines as impacted by COVID-19.
Other Saint Mary's Scholarships
Mentored Access to Programs in Science (MAPS)
The MAPS program provides a full-tuition scholarship program to high-achieving students with financial need interested in studying Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or Biochemistry. To apply students must complete and submit the following items.
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You will need to apply for admission to Saint Mary’s College.
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You will need to complete the MAPS Questionnaire.
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The deadline for applicants is January 15, 2021.
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You will need to complete the FAFSA by February 15, 2021.
Apply for the MAPS Scholarship HERE!
The Macken Collegiate Forensics Scholarships
Students are selected to receive scholarships based on their level of commitment to the Macken team, their competitive potential and contributions, and their academic standing. To apply students must complete and submit the following items.
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You will need to apply for admission to Saint Mary’s College.
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Complete the Macken Collegiate Forensics application linked here.
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Available to incoming first-year, transfers, and currently enrolled SMC students.
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Scholarships range from $2,500 - $13,000 annually.
Apply for the Macken Collegiate Forensics Scholarship HERE!
Robert W. Summers Scholarship in Communication and Journalism
This scholarship in Journalism and Communication offered to one eligible entering first-year student and one transferring or continuing junior each year. This merit-based award is for Communication majors or those with a demonstrable commitment to journalism. To apply students must complete and submit the following items.
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You will need to apply for admission to Saint Mary’s College.
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Complete Scholarship Application linked here.
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Provide a brief (500 words) statement of interest.
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Provide proof of a 3.0+ GPA.
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Your Portfolio of work on journalism (broadly defined).
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One letter of reference.
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The scholarship amount is $6,000 per year.
Financial Resources for Students
Are you looking for more financial assistance to pay for your education? Not only may students be eligible for Saint Mary's specific merit scholarships, as well as, need-based aid, but we also accept outside and private scholarships that students may receive to cover the cost of attendance. The links provided below are additional resources for students and their families.
Private Scholarships
Private organizations and corporations offer a variety of scholarships, which can be used to fund your education at Saint Mary's. See Private Scholarships and Scholarship Websites That Work for more information.
Veteran's Benefits
Saint Mary's is approved for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents under the various public laws which come under the direction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. We proudly participate in the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Programs. Please visit here for more information.
Need-Based Aid
Typically, students receive a combination of state and federal grants, Saint Mary's grants, and need-based and non-need-based government and private loans. Those are all in addition to the many merit-based scholarships from noteworthy academic performance and specific department honors. Many find the best combination of these resources, making the average Saint Mary's financial aid package approximately $38,000 for the 2018-19 academic year.
To apply: These need-based grants depend on student demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have additional questions.