Scholarships

Asbury University is committed to offering the support and resources students need in order to be successful. That begins with scholarships and financial aid. We know that paying for college may seem like a daunting task for you and your family, but we’ve taken steps toward making Asbury University an affordable reality for you.

Take a look below at the kind of scholarships and aid that are available to you and what you can expect from Asbury.

Please note that all scholarships and grants listed on this page are in effect for students entering Asbury University in the 2024-25 academic year.

Merit Scholarship Award for incoming freshman and transfer students

Because every high school calculates GPAs differently, when you apply to Asbury University, your transcript and GPA will go through a recalculation process in which we translate your school’s GPA to an Asbury 4-point scale. This way, we ensure that every new student gets the best possible aid.

You are then guaranteed a yearly scholarship based on your recalculated GPA — and that’s before you even apply for financial aid!

* Students in this category will be invited to Scholarship Competition held in February prior to the year the student plans to enroll. All attendees will compete for multiple scholarships at this competition. Students who attend and participate in the competition, but who do not win one of the Hughes or Morrison scholarships, will receive a $2000 scholarship to be stacked on top of their GPA scholarship award.

AP, IB, and Honors classes are weighted in our recalculation.

See scholarship information for transfer students with 30+ credits.

Next, typical students are eligible for additional scholarships and aid

Typically, students qualify for scholarships and additional aid through a variety of means at Asbury. The merit/GPA scholarship is just the first step. Learn about other scholarships and need-based aid opportunities below.

All scholarships that require a separate application have a deadline of February 1 (unless otherwise indicated) of the year you plan to enroll at Asbury, and will be awarded by early March.

Scholarship Competition

Students who qualify for the guaranteed starting scholarship of $15,000 are invited to participate in the annual Scholarship Competition, where they will compete for one of four (4) John Wesley Hughes scholarships, equal to 100% of tuition, or one of twenty (20) Henry Clay Morrison scholarships, equal to 65% of tuition.

John Wesley Hughes Scholarships
Four full-tuition scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to new students who qualify for and compete in the Scholarship Competition, which is by invitation only and occurs on campus in early spring prior to intended enrollment. This award is renewed for up to four years or eight semesters provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.60 at Asbury University. No other Asbury gift aid is stackable with this scholarship.

Henry Clay Morrison Scholarships
Twenty 65% tuition scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to new students who qualify for and compete in the Scholarship Competition, which is by invitation only and occurs on campus in early spring prior to intended enrollment. This award is renewed for up to four years or eight semesters provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.60 at Asbury University. Other Asbury gift aid is stackable with this scholarship, up to 100 percent of annual tuition.

Scholarship Competition Bonus
Students who attend and participate in the competition, but who do not win one of the Hughes or Morrison scholarships, will receive a scholarship to be stacked on top of their GPA scholarship award.

National Merit/Francis Asbury Scholarships

Scholarships equal to 65% of tuition will be awarded to National Merit semifinalists entering their freshman year during the fall semester, who graduated from high school the previous spring. This award is renewed for up to four years or eight semesters provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.50 at Asbury University.

Recipients of National Merit/Francis Asbury scholarships will be invited to the Scholarship Competition (see above) to compete for one of four (4) John Wesley Hughes scholarships. Contact your admissions counselor for more detailed information.

Kentucky Governor’s Scholarships

Alumni of Kentucky Governor’s Programs automatically qualify for Asbury’s top guaranteed academic merit scholarship amount of $15,000 (regardless of GPA) and are invited to participate in Scholarship Competition (see above). This award is given to students who graduated from a Kentucky high school and who completed the Governor’s Scholars Program, the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs, or the Governor’s School for the Arts.

No application required.

International Student Scholarship

Each year the Scholarship Committee will select new international applicants to receive partial scholarships. Selection is based on academic standing, an essay written by the student and other information available to the committee. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide qualified international students the opportunity of an education at Asbury University and to maintain awareness of international concerns through the presence of students from other countries on campus.

Students who are accepted to the University prior to February 1 of the year they start classes will be given priority for these scholarships.  However, scholarships may still be available after that date.

This scholarship may be renewed for up to four years or eight semesters (excluding summer) provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. This scholarship is only available to persons who are not citizens of the USA or Canada. Please contact the Admissions Office for more detailed information.

Asbury’s Kentucky Pell Promise Tuition Guarantee

Asbury is committed to making Christian higher education possible for Kentucky students who desire a private, Christian college degree, regardless of their economic situation. Visit this page for full details.

Out of State and Border State Scholarships

Out of State Scholarship – Asbury offers a scholarship for any student who does not reside in Kentucky.

Border State Scholarship – In addition to the Out of State Scholarship, Asbury offers a scholarship to students from the following Kentucky border states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

No application required.

Asbury University Alumni Scholarship Award

Asbury offers two five percent of tuition awards annually to entering freshmen who are direct descendants of an Asbury University alumnus. This is a one-time award and is, therefore, not renewable. The deadline to apply is February 1 of the year the student intends to enroll. 

Asbury University Alumni Scholarship Application

Alumni Recognition Scholarship

Asbury awards a scholarship to new students whose parent is an alumnus of Asbury University.

JPL Indian Springs Scholarship

The JPL Indian Springs Scholarship is available to one new, incoming student in the traditional, residential undergraduate program who is actively involved in the Indian Springs Camp Meeting. To apply for the scholarship, you must first apply for admission to the University and be admitted, and then fill out the scholarship application. If you have questions about Asbury’s process to apply for admission, please contact the Admissions Office at (859) 858-5000. The deadline to apply is February 1 of the year the student intends to enroll.

The Salvation Army Scholarship

Scholarships are available for new, incoming students in the traditional, residential undergraduate program who are actively involved in The Salvation Army. The student must submit a letter of recommendation from the Corps Officer regarding his/her participation in the Army. The student must be accepted in good standing to be considered for this award. The deadline to submit recommendation letter is February 1 of the year the student intends to enroll.

Christian Ministry Scholarship

A Christian Ministry Scholarship has been established for traditional undergraduate students who have at least one parent working in paid, full-time Christian Ministry.

Church Match Grant

Asbury University will match donations – up to $1,000 per year – from the scholarship funds of churches and para-church organizations designated for students. The deadline to submit the church match application and funds from the church to the Financial Aid Office is no later than the first day of classes in the Fall semester. For students beginning in the Spring semester, the deadline for both application and funds to be received is no later than the first day of classes in January. Only funds submitted directly to the Financial Aid Office for processing will be matched.

Multiple Family Waiver

Students who have a sibling enrolled at Asbury University as a traditional undergraduate student are eligible to receive a four percent of tuition award. Students with two or more siblings enrolled at Asbury receive a five percent of tuition award.

Summit Scholarship

The Asbury University Summit Ministries Scholarship is available for new, incoming, traditional undergraduate students who successfully completed an Asbury University Summit Camp before their senior year of high school. The Summit Camp experience must have been completed at Asbury University.

To qualify for this award, students must be accepted to Asbury University and must submit the scholarship form and documentation of attendance before the deadline on February 1 of the year they plan to enroll. The scholarship is renewable for three years as long as the student remains in good standing at Asbury.

Youth Becoming Leaders Scholarship

A scholarship is available for new, incoming, traditional undergraduate students who successfully complete the Youth Becoming Leaders Program prior to the start of their senior high school year, and accompanying service requirements prior to the start of their first year at Asbury. This scholarship is renewable for three years as long as the student remains in good standing at Asbury. The deadline to submit information to Admissions is February 1 of the year the student plans to attend. 

No application required.

Austin E. Knowlton Endowed Memorial Scholarship

The Austin E. Knowlton Endowed Memorial Scholarship from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation is an endowed scholarship fund to provide financial aid for worthy students from Ohio. Preferences for the award are freshman applicants from Ohio who are in good academic standing and are pursuing a major within the definition of STEM or a related field. Secondarily, a freshman from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky or Michigan who is in good academic standing and pursuing a STEM or related major will also be considered.

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation was established to promote the ideals of higher education, support student success, and enable colleges and universities to create more rewarding and inspiring educational experiences.

The Knowlton Foundation is the legacy of Austin E. Knowlton, community leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Mr. Knowlton established the Foundation in 1981 in recognition of his business success and civic involvement. He funded it during his lifetime and, through his will, created a lasting impact that continues to support students and higher education. The Foundation’s primary mission is to promote and advance higher education in the United States through direct grants and contributions to qualified colleges and universities. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Austin E. Knowlton, also known as “Dutch,” helped build and shape thriving communities.

Mr. Knowlton was the owner and Chairman of the Knowlton Construction Company, an organization started in Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1937. Dutch and his company were responsible for over 600 significant construction projects throughout Ohio and the Midwest, including school buildings, hospitals, libraries and post offices.

An avid sportsman, he was an original founding partner of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served as Chairman. He also held a major ownership interest in the Cincinnati Reds for many years. He had a lifelong passion for saddle-bred horses and was a trustee of the Little Brown Jug Society for harness racing in Delaware, Ohio.

Mr. Knowlton was a 1927 graduate of Bellefontaine High School in Logan County, Ohio and The Ohio State University, class of 1931, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. As a philanthropist, Mr. Knowlton was a benefactor of the Ohio State School of Architecture, which is named in his honor.

In 1981, inspired by his success made possible by the education he received, Mr. Knowlton established his namesake Foundation to empower future generations of students and to support the institutions dedicated to educating them.

His lifelong passion for sports and horses is reflected in the work of the Foundation, from funding a football stadium at Augustana College to a grant that supported the development of a state-of-the-art equine center to facilitate hands-on learning at Otterbein University. Learn more about additional projects and programs funded by the Foundation under The Work of The Foundation.

Today, through the Foundation, Mr. Knowlton’s beneficial impact on communities throughout the Midwest continues, by helping to prepare future generations of leaders.

Music Performance Scholarships

Audition Required

Music Performance Scholarships will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Music Department to students who exhibit outstanding musical performance ability. A major or minor in music is preferred but not required in order to audition. Students must meet Asbury University admission requirements to be considered. The Music Department makes the final selections based on auditions. To maintain this scholarship, students must meet the minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation and fulfill performance requirements. The priority deadline to audition is February 1 of the year the student plans to enroll.

Find out more about the Music Auditions & Scholarships.

Worship Arts Performance Scholarships

Audition Required

Worship Arts Performance Scholarships will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Worship Arts Program. A major or minor in Worship Arts is preferred but not required in order to audition. Students must meet Asbury University admission requirements to be considered. The Worship Arts Program makes the final selections based on auditions. To maintain this scholarship, students must meet the minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation and fulfill performance requirements. The deadline to audition is February 1 of the year the student plans to enroll.

Request a Worship Arts Performance Scholarship audition.

Dayton School of Business Endowed Scholarship

Application Required

This scholarship for new students is designed to support Christian men and women interested in advancing the cause of Christ in the fields of Accounting, Business Management, Finance, Marketing, and Sports Management. A $10,000  Business Scholars Program Scholarship will be awarded to 1-2 student(s) per year and can be renewed annually. This scholarship is competitive and non-need based. Students must be accepted by the University, declare a major in the Dayton School of Business, and have achieved a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates with higher academic qualifications and evidence of involvement in business or leadership-related areas will be given priority. For consideration, please complete the scholarship application using your AU application login credentials. The deadline to apply is February 1 of the year the student plans to enroll.

Windgate Art & Design Scholarships

Asbury University Art & Design Department is proud to announce a scholarship designed to support talented Art students to achieve their highest potential in Studio Art (painting, sculpture, photography, etc.), Graphic Design, Art History, Pre-Art Therapy and Art Education.

Windgate Scholars will be selected from among applicants to receive a minimum $4,000 award. Scholarships are for new students – both freshmen and transfers – and are annually renewable. They are merit-based rather than need-based, and can be added (“stacked”) on top of other financial aid packages, not to exceed 100% of tuition.

Candidates must declare a Major in Art, Art P–12, or Pre-Art Therapy, and carry a minimum test score of 24 ACT/1110 SAT and a 3.0 GPA or higher. Candidates with higher academic qualifications and evidence of promise in art or related areas will be given priority.

Windgate Art Scholars will be expected to:

• Participate in the Art & Design Department and serve in various leadership roles during their four years, as directed by department faculty
• Maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA
• Maintain an Art, Art P–12 or Pre-Art Therapy major
• Maintain good standing at Asbury University

Complete the Windgate Art & Design Scholarship application by February 1 of the year you intend to enroll.