Financial Aid Priority Review & Timeline
To be considered for need-based financial aid, make sure to keep on top of deadlines.
View Financial Aid Timeline : Checkerboard 1 - Financial Aid Priority Review & TimelineScholarships & Grants
Chatham University, in an effort to recognize academic excellence, awards scholarships to deserving incoming full-time students. We also provide income-based grants.
There’s a scholarship for that.
Have you performed well academically? Do you have a passion for sustainability? Are you into performing music or singing? Is leadership important to you? These are just a few of the things that Chatham rewards with scholarships.
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Receive up to $32K per year toward your tuition through a merit scholarship. |
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Two different scholarships offer a full-tuition scholarship for four years. |
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99% of students receive scholarship or need-based aid to help lower costs. |
How to Qualify for a Scholarship
To qualify for a Chatham Scholarship, students must complete an admissions application, be granted acceptance to the University, and, in some cases, interview or audition.
Please have your application portal login information ready to access the scholarship application.
Undergraduate scholarships require full-time enrollment and may be renewable for up to four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University. Each scholarship may require a minimum GPA to be eligible for renewal. See below for full details.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for need-based aid consideration, as well as federal and state awards. Opens October 1. File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and be sure to add Chatham University's school code: 003244.
Chatham Scholarships
Below you'll find information about scholarships, including eligibility, amount, renewability, and more. All undergraduate scholarships require full-time enrollment, are renewable for up to four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University, and have a minimum GPA requirement that must be met each year. Chatham aid is not available for summer enrollment.
Premier Scholarships
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
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Merit Scholarship |
$22,000 to $32,000+ Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Based on academic excellence, students may qualify for a Chatham Merit Scholarship. The scholarship amount will be determined once the student is admitted to the University. You do not need to submit a separate application for this scholarship. |
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Presidential Scholarship Awarded to up to three incoming first-year students |
Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students First-Year International students |
The Presidential Scholarship is an annually renewable scholarship that covers tuition for each academic year, for a total of four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University. FAFSA filing required. Student is required to live on campus. 3.5 cumulative GPA required for renewal. |
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Awarded to up to two incoming first-year students |
Full Tuition Annually |
First-Year students First-Year International students |
The Rachel Carson Scholarship is an annually renewable scholarship that covers tuition for each academic year, for a total of four years (or 120 credits) of study at Chatham University. FAFSA filing required. Student is required to live on campus. 3.5 cumulative GPA required for renewal. |
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Heffer Family Scholarship for Women Two awards offered annually |
$10,000 Annually, in addition to merit scholarship |
First-Year female students |
The Heffer Family Scholarship for Women is a $10,000 annually renewable scholarship awarded to female students who have a proven record of academic achievement, leadership capacity, as well as community and co-curricular involvement. Up to two (2) new scholarships are awarded each year. FAFSA filing required. Student is required to live on campus. 3.5 cumulative GPA required for renewal. |
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Karen Lake Scholarship Two awards offered annually |
$10,000 Annually, in addition to merit scholarship |
First-Year students |
The Karen Lake Scholarship is an annually renewing scholarship open to students who have at least a 3.5 GPA. This scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and provide opportunities for students who will be first-generation college goers or who demonstrate high financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). |
Title |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Details |
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Integrated Degree Program (IDP) Scholarship |
Up to |
First-Year students Transfer students |
The Integrated Degree Program (IDP) Scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in an IDP-related major and maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5. |
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Keystone Scholarship |
Up to |
First-Year students Transfer students |
The Keystone Scholarship is awarded to out-of-state domestic undergraduate students admitted to Chatham University who plan to enroll in the upcoming term. |
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PA Resident Scholarship |
Up to |
Students who are residents of Pennsylvania |
The PA Resident Scholarship is awarded to in-state domestic undergraduate students admitted to Chatham University who plan to enroll in the upcoming term. |
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Steel City Scholarship |
Up to |
For residents in one of 13 Western Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland. |
The Steel City Scholarship is awarded to in-state domestic undergraduate students who are residents in one of 13 Western Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland) admitted to Chatham University who plan to enroll in the upcoming term. This award can be combined with the PA Resident Scholarship! |
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Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship |
Up to $5,000 Annually |
First Year students |
Must meet Pittsburgh Promise eligibility requirements. FAFSA filing is required by May 1. |
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Chatham Partner Housing Scholarship |
Up to $2,500 Annually |
First Year students |
Must meet Pittsburgh Promise eligibility requirements. FAFSA filing is required by May 1. |
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Residential Dining Grant |
$1,000 |
First Year students |
The Residential Dining Grant is awarded to Pell-eligible students who live on campus and enroll in the 21-meal plan. FAFSA filing is required. Applied directly to student account and may not be converted to cash or used for other expenses. |
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Legacy Award |
Up to $3,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students International students |
Awarded to children, grandchildren, and siblings of Chatham alumni. Only one Legacy scholarship is awarded per student. Alumni verification is required. |
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Family Tuition "Sibling" Grant |
Up to $2,000 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students |
Awarded to undergraduate students who have an undergraduate sibling currently attending Chatham. Sibling verification is required. |
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Minna Kaufmann Ruud Music Scholarship |
Up to $3,500 Annually |
First-Year students Transfer students
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For qualified vocalists who plan to major in music or incorporate music into an interdepartmental major while a student at Chatham. Participation in Chatham Choir is required. To apply for this scholarship, please submit the completed application form. Once we receive your application, you will be contacted to audition. An audition is required. Renewable annually with annual audition. Priority deadline: February 6. |
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Phi Theta Kappa Honors Scholarships |
Up to |
First-Year students Transfer students |
Awarded to community college transfer students with a minimum 3.0 cumulative college. Documentation of PTK membership required. |
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Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award |
Up to $2,500 Annually |
First Year students International students |
The Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award will be presented to a deserving high school junior from each high school across the United States and internationally who embodies the spirit of Rachel Carson through their dedication to sustainability and community development. Eligible students for this award are current high school juniors, in the U.S. and internationally, and must be nominated by a teacher, school counselor or advisor. Priority deadline: June 1. |
Need-based Financial Aid
In addition to merit scholarships, Chatham offers generous need-based financial aid. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine need-based aid. No other forms are required.
For the Spring 2023 term, there were 2139 student enrolled. Out of that number, 1433 students (67%) received federal aid.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based self-help award. If a student has been awarded FWS, the FWS award is the total that can be earned during the academic year as a work-study student. FWS can be used for on and off campus employment.
Career Development can assist students in finding FWS positions. It is important to note that funds earned in the Federal Work-Study Program are not credited to the student's account. Students receive a monthly paycheck based on the hours they work. Each student will receive a work agreement that specifies work expectations, pay, and terms of employment. A FAFSA is needed to determine FWS eligibility.
Federal PELL Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. The amount depends on your financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student, and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. A FAFSA is needed to determine PELL grant eligibility.
All PELL-eligible programs at Chatham University meet the following criteria for calculation—standard terms of semesters with credit hours in which the fall through spring terms are equal to or greater than 30 weeks, or the academic year exceeds the definition of an academic year and the institution has a waiver. (Formula 1) Federal PELL Grants are also available for summer classes for eligible students.
The Federal TEACH Grant will be awarded to interested students who reach out to the Office of Financial Aid. Students will be required to complete a TEACH grant application, where they acknowledge the terms of the TEACH grant and possible conversion to a Direct Loan if not fulfilled. The program of study will need to comply with the US Department of Education defined high-needs fields, or Teacher Shortage list as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students will also complete an Agreement to Serve and Counseling before the processing of the grant to the account. Subsequent Counseling and application will be needed for subsequent years.
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Chatham awards these grants to students who have a valid FAFSA on file with a zero EFC. These funds are first come first serve and are awarded based on the FAFSA completion date.
PA State Grant is a need based grant available to undergraduate students meeting the PA residency requirement. A FAFSA is required for consideration.
The FosterEd Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care. Learn more about this program and eligibility by clicking here.
The application is combined for Chafee ETG and FosterEd and more information about eligibility can be found on the application. Please contact Chatham University's Point of Contact for these programs with any questions:
- Office of Financial Aid: Amy Becher, FAO@chatham.edu, 412-365-2781.
- Office of Admission: Brian Dwyer, undergraduate@chatham.edu, 412-365-1825.
Complete Your FAFSA Today
Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is what triggers your eligibility for grants and loans from the federal government, state government, and schools (including Chatham). It's an incredibly important part of getting financial aid.
Complete Your FAFSA : Checkerboard 2 - Complete Your FAFSA Today
Military & Veterans
Chatham is pleased to participate in both the Yellow Ribbon program for Veterans and Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program for active Service members.
Learn About Military & Veterans Aid : Checkerboard 3 - Military & Veterans
Pittsburgh Promise
Chatham is a preferred partner of the Pittsburgh Promise. Visit the Pittsburgh Promise website to determine scholarship eligibility and to apply.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Chatham recognizes that life learning may provide a knowledge base equivalent to college-level learning outcomes. And we believe that knowledge should be rewarded with an opportunity to work toward a degree faster and at a reduced cost.
Learn About PLA : Checkerboard 5 - Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Additional Scholarships Resources
There are all sorts of scholarships available through various organizations. Explore more options available to you listed in the following free scholarship databases, and contact Financial Aid for access to an additional database of scholarships:
Support for Scholarships
Each year, Chatham provides millions of dollars in scholarships to deserving students, including scholarships funded by Chatham’s generous donors. These scholarships help make recipients’ dreams a reality, and they, in turn, help to make Chatham the dynamic place that it is.
View Donor-Funded Scholarships : Checkerboard 7 - Support for Scholarships
Contact Us
If you have questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid located at Berry Hall on the Shadyside Campus.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 412-365-2781
Fax: 412-365-1871
Email the Office of Financial Aid