Sources of Financial Aid - ECPI Scholarships

ECPI University Scholarships.

ECPI University awards in excess of $14 million in scholarships each year. These are funds to help you pay for your education that you do not have to pay back and reward you for your commitment to earn your degree.

• Applicants must have applied and been accepted for admissions to ECPI University for the current academic year
• Applicants must meet the ECPI University entrance requirements

Each scholarship has its own unique qualifying criteria. Below you can review the different types of scholarships you may qualify for. Our financial aid advisors can assist you in identifying and applying for these scholarship opportunities.

General Scholarship Policies.

• Scholarships will be applied to lower tuition debt in most cases
• Only degree-seeking students enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits per semester will receive a scholarship award unless otherwise noted in the criteria
• To qualify for scholarships, students must maintain continuous enrollment on a semester basis. Students may take only one semester off during their program
• Students eligible for multiple special tuition rates, pricing programs or scholarships receive the one most beneficial, with the exception of unique circumstances, primarily on a case-by-case basis

Career Advancement Bookstore Award.  Employers value third party endorsement of skills that enhance the value of your degree. Your success means success for all of the graduates, faculty and staff at ECPI University!

• For specific programs, ECPI University may award up to $100 in Bookstore Credit for each certification or license approved for this award that you earn while enrolled
• Many academic programs have certifications you will be encouraged to earn by the time you graduate
• ECPI University subsidizes the majority of the fees to take certification exams
• Account must be in good standing, or may be applied to outstanding charges
• Additional information regarding eligible programs is available here: https://ecpi.libguides.com/CertificationsECPI 

Department of Veterans Affairs. ECPI is approved to offer VA Educational Benefits by the respective State Approving Agency located within the State of operation.  For more information please contact the local ECPI campus Veterans Benefits Coordinator

This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefis.va.gov/gibill.

ECPI University Enterprise Partnership Program. ECPI University has agreements with area businesses to provide their employees tuition assistance benefits. Contact the admissions office to see if your employer participates.

Graduation Scholarship Fund.  ECPI University students enrolled in any undergraduate Bachelor’s, Associates, or diploma program are auto-enrolled for the Graduation Scholarship Fund. Scholarship amounts vary by degree program and level and may provide awards up to $1,000 to first be applied to reduce any student loan debt in the final semester of your program. Contact admissions or see your financial assistance advisor for details.

To be eligible you must:

• Regularly attend full-time
• Attend at least 85% of all class time in your first semester
• Make ‘Satisfactory Progress’ (as defined in the University catalog)
• Be responsible with student loan borrowing, and complete three financial literacy modules on ECPI University's financial literacy platform
• Have financial need as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ECPI University having received a valid Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) from the U.S. Department of Education for the award year you will graduate

Students transferring in 12 credits or more will result in a pro-ration of the graduation scholarship according to the number of semesters attended.

High School Scholarships.  Scholarships awarded up to $3000. High School seniors are eligible to apply.

Applications are due by May of each year:

• Complete application
• Submit high school transcript
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a teacher or counselor)
• Typed personal essay (250 words minimum) explaining your reason for pursuing your chosen program of study

GPA, attendance record, acceptance to ECPI University will be considered along with the information submitted with the application. Contact the University for an application.

International Students' Scholarships.  ECPI University has established several scholarships to assist international students in financing their education. To apply for these scholarships, they must meet the admissions requirements for the program of choice and the criteria outlined below.

Applicants can discuss these, and other options, with an ECPI University admissions or financial advisor. For more information on any scholarship, please fill out the International Scholarship Form.

Merit Scholarships.  ECPI University awards a select number of Merit Scholarships to graduates enrolling in selected programs each year. The scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $4,000 per academic year.

Eligibility and Award Criteria:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from the organization verifying community service (letter must be on the organization’s letterhead).
• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply.

Amount: $500

Early Action Scholarship.  This scholarship is available to those applicants who submit their admissions documents and complete their application at least three months before they plan to start school.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Complete your admissions file at least three months before your start date.

• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply.

Amount: up to $500

ECPI Scholarship for EducationUSA Advisees.  EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. The network promotes U.S. high education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. Find an EducationUSA advising center near year: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Available to all students who find out about ECPI University through an EducationUSA Advising Center.

• Does not apply if the student is also referred by another third-party agent or education consultant.

Amount: up to $2,000

Founder’s Scholarship.  Mr. Alfred Dreyfus immigrated to the USA and founded ECPI University. The Founder’s Scholarship was created to honor Mr. Dreyfus and is available to those deserving students who require additional financial support.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply

• The applicant must submit evidence of their financial status, disability, or social status, and submit a one page essay on why you would be a good candidate to receive the Founder’s Scholarship

• Due to the high value of the Founder’s Scholarship, students who apply and qualify, are excluded from receiving most of the scholarships available from ECPI University. The only scholarships that may stack with the Founder’s Scholarship are the Refer a Friend Scholarship, and the International Student Diversity Scholarship.

• The Founder’s Scholarships is highly selective and therefore, limited scholarships will be available each academic year.

Amount: up to $5,000 per academic year

Head Start – Experience in the Field.  This scholarship is available for those students that are already working and have returned to school to further their career.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from a previous or current employer verifying work and achievements in the field in which you wish to study (letter must be on the employer’s letterhead). The work experience must be related to the intended field of study
• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply

Amount: up to $2,000

Leveling Course Scholarship.  For international students taking leveling courses there will be a $200.00 per credit hour scholarship.  Contact your advisor for additional information.

Refer a Friend Scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded for every student you refer to ECPI University.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Make sure your friend includes your name on their application form so you can receive credit
• Scholarship is applied after the referred student pays for their first three terms

Amount: $1,000 (for referring a bachelor’s or master’s student)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP POLICIES

• Students may be awarded up to two types of scholarships concurrently, unless otherwise specified or authorized by ECPI University
• These scholarships are only available to international students
• The Community Service and Early Action scholarships are applied as tuition credit to the student’s first semester
• The Refer a Friend Scholarship is applied after the referred student completes one semester
• The Merit, Head Start, and Founder’s Scholarships are applied as tuition credit in installments each semester, beginning in the student’s second semester
• Online Master’s Studies Scholarship is applied as tuition credit in equal installments through the duration of the program
• The International Student Diversity Scholarship is applied as tuition credit to the student’s second semester
• Tuition credit exceeding the balance due by the student in a semester will carry over to the next semester
• Students must maintain a 3.0 CGPA to continue receiving awarded scholarships. CGPA's are reviewed after each academic year of completion at ECPI University.

Active Duty Scholarship.  Helping Military Active Duty overcome financial hurdles. ECPI University has provided educational opportunities to service members and their families since 1966. We believe that every active duty service member should have the opportunity to pursue the college of their choice. In honor of the men and women who serve in every branch of the United States Armed Forces, ECPI University offers the following scholarship for eligible programs of study* with our thanks and gratitude.

To help relieve the financial challenges associated with pursuing your education, ECPI University offers an Active Duty Military Scholarship Program. This scholarship for service members is open to active duty, reservists, National Guardsmen, other service members, and includes their spouses when enrolled in our online college.

If you are eligible for Tuition Assistance, you may be eligible for ECPI University’s Active Duty Military Scholarship. Reservists eligible for TA may also be eligible for the scholarship. The Active Duty Military Scholarships will cover the costs of tuition remaining after eligible TA has been applied.

Through the program, qualifying service members and spouses are provided a scholarship which will effectively reduce tuition to $250.00 per semester credit for undergraduate course work, and $595.00 per semester credit for graduate course work.

*Eligible programs include all degree programs in the Colleges of Technology, Business, and Criminal Justice. In the College of Culinary Arts, Food Service Management is eligible. In the College of Health Sciences, eligible programs include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Healthcare Administration.

To Learn More about Active Duty Tuition Assistance see:

Airforce: https://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/air-force-tuition-assistance.html

Army: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Tuition-Assistance-(TA)?serv=122

Navy: https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/costs_and_funding/navy_tuition_assistance_program.htm

Marines: https://usmc-mccs.org/taguide/

USCG: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/ETQC/VOLUNTARY-EDUCATION/Tuition-Assistance/

Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Tag/523/tuition-assistance/

Spouses: MyCAA — Financial Assistance for Military Spouses (militaryonesource.mil)

Armed Services Scholarship.  The Armed Services Scholarship was designed to help lessen the financial challenges associated with pursuing your undergraduate education. ECPI University’s scholarship for armed service members is open to Active Duty, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and other service members, as well as their spouses, who may not be eligible for our Active Duty Scholarship.  Qualifying service members or spouses pursuing their undergraduate degree receive a scholarship for $500.00 per semester/$1000.00 per academic year.  Available through all of our Campus locations and Online (Active Duty Members and their Spouses, undergraduate programs only), ask your admissions advisor for more information.