Lafayette Scholarships
Marquis Scholarships
Lafayette recognizes its most outstanding applicants with Marquis Scholarships. The award is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, who left behind the safety of his aristocratic life in France to fight for the cause of freedom in the American colonies. He made new connections, discovered a new world, and made a major difference in the future of millions. This is a fitting name for Lafayette College’s highest academic scholarship.
Scholarship Value
Marquis Scholars receive an annual minimum award of $20,000 ($80,000 over four years). Scholars seeking financial aid and whose financial need exceeds $20,000 will receive a need-based award (inclusive of the scholarship) up to demonstrated need. (Applicants seeking need-based aid must submit the required documents.)
Other Benefits of the Marquis Scholarship
Other special benefits of the Marquis Scholars program include:
- a scholarship of up to $4,000 for one faculty-led, off-campus course during an interim session (which cannot be applied to LVAIC study-abroad programs)
- participation in special events and activities, including cultural opportunities
- faculty mentor
Lafayette offers a wide variety of special, intensive courses on campus and abroad during the January interim session and in May.
Read an article about Marquis Scholars
Who Qualifies?
Lafayette seeks students who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity in addition to their superior academic achievement. Curriculum, grades, rank in graduating class, and scores on standardized tests are all considered. Furthermore, the College looks for students creatively engaged in the life of their communities and who, like the College’s namesake, have “made a difference” through significant accomplishments in school and community.
Scholarship offers are typically made to students who are at the top of their graduating class in the most demanding curriculum available, with SAT scores (Critical Reading and Math) in the low 1400’s or better or ACT Composite score of 32 or better.
No special application is required to be considered for the Marquis Scholarship, and all students admitted under both Early Decision and Regular Decision are considered. Students are notified of their selection at the time of admission. Approximately 20% of admitted students each year are offered the Marquis Scholarship. Please note that only first-time applicants to the College are considered for this scholarship at the time of their application for admission. Selection is based on the academic record prior to enrolling at Lafayette.
The scholarship is renewed each year at Lafayette provided the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and is enrolled full time. Students who are also requesting need-based financial aid must file the PROFILE and other required documents by the deadlines. Last-semester seniors who are approved for prorated enrollment status should expect to have their grants, scholarships, and/or loans adjusted accordingly.
Athletic Scholarships
Lafayette offers athletic scholarships in 11 sports:
- baseball
- men’s and women’s basketball
- women’s field hockey
- football
- men’s and women’s lacrosse
- men’s and women’s soccer
- softball
- women’s volleyball
Recipients are selected based on athletic talent as well as the ability to meet Lafayette’s rigorous academic standards. Compliance with NCAA regulations and continued participation in the sport are required. Scholarship recipients are required to file the FAFSA each year in order to determine and maximize federal and/or state eligibility. First-year students must file by Feb. 15, returning students by April 20. A full athletic scholarship covers tuition, fees, room, board, and books. Partial scholarships are also awarded.
Posse Scholarships
Lafayette College partners with the New York City and Washington, D.C., chapters of The Posse Foundation and selects and awards full-tuition scholarships to 10 incoming students from each city. Posse Scholars are required to file the FAFSA every year in order to determine and maximize federal and/or state eligibility. First-year students must file by Feb. 1, returning students by April 20.
Tuition Exchange Scholarships
Lafayette participates in Tuition Exchange (TE), a national scholarship exchange for dependent children of qualifying employees of member institutions. Eligibility for a TE scholarship must be certified by the TE liaison officer at the parent/guardian’s place of employment. TE is considered an employment benefit and not treated as an outside scholarship. Applicants must submit all required documents and meet the filing deadlines to be considered for admission and financial aid, if applicable.
The number of scholarships offered by Lafayette each year is subject to the balance that must be maintained between “imports and exports of eligible candidates.” Selection of TE scholars is highly competitive and determined by the Office of Admissions. Given the competitiveness of the program, awards are typically limited to first-year applicants. Students should expect to receive notification no later than April 1. For more information, contact Gregory MacDonald, dean of admission and financial aid, macdonag@lafayette.edu.