Scholarships for International First-Year Students
2026-2027 OFFERINGS
We offer a variety of scholarships provided to students after a holistic review of their application file. This includes our Endowed Scholarships that are sponsored through generous gifts to the university. While each Endowed Scholarship is unique, they all use one simple application. Then we do the work of matching you to the awards you qualify for!
The following is a list of current awards for full-time first-year undergraduates in the daytime academic program. Merit awards are renewable.
CLARKE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
Students are considered for a Clarke Academic Scholarship upon completion of their admissions file. The awards are presented on a range based on cumulative high school GPA at the time of acceptance to Clarke. Awards include:
- $25,000 Foundress Scholarship: 3.75 GPA and above
- $24,000 Presidential Scholarship: 3.5-3.74 GPA
- $23,000 Excellence Scholarship: 3.00-3.49 GPA
- $22,000 Merit Scholarship: 2.99 and below GPA
The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA. Clarke Academic scholarships are included in the athletic letters of intent amounts.
CATHOLIC TRADITION AWARD
Clarke’s education is based in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students who graduated from a high school founded or run by BVM Sisters (Caramel Catholic in Mundelein, IL or Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ) are considered for a renewable Catholic Tradition Award of $1,000. The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA.
ART + DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP
Majors: Art and Art Education
Students who intend to major in art, art education, graphic will receive a scholarship upon acceptance. Majors are awarded up to $5,000 per year in a renewable scholarship. Interested students must earn acceptance to Clarke by May 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Non-major participants in Art programs are awarded $1,000 per year in a renewable scholarship. Amounts may vary for students receiving athletic scholarships based on the overall Clarke institutional aid offer.
CATHOLIC TRADITION AWARD
Clarke’s education is based in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students who graduated from a high school founded or run by BVM Sisters (Caramel Catholic in Mundelein, IL or Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ) are considered for a renewable Catholic Tradition Award of $1,000. The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA.
CAMPUS MINISTRY AWARD
Students express and interest in volunteering with Clarke Campus Ministry will be awarded $1,000 per year in a renewable scholarship. The renewal requirement is active engagement in Campus Ministry.
PRIDE SCHOLARSHIP
Pride Scholarships may be awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding athletic ability. Criteria include academic records, recommendations, achievements, and other evidence of the ability to contribute to and benefit from the educational experience at Clarke as a student-athlete. Pride Scholarships are available in the following men’s and women’s sports: basketball, bowling, soccer, golf, lacrosse, track & field, cross country, volleyball, football, cheer & dance, baseball, and softball. Please contact the head coach about these awards. The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA.
Note: Pride Scholarships are holistic based awards for student-athletes (see criteria above). Therefore, Pride Scholarship amounts include the Clarke Academic Scholarship Award.
SCHOLARS PROGRAM AWARD
Students who are granted early access to the Scholarship Program will be awarded $1,000 per year in a renewable scholarship. The renewal requirement is a 3.2 and active engagement in the Scholars Program.
MOCK TRIAL AND CAST & CREW AWARDS
Students who participate in Cast & Crew (theatre) or Mock Trial will be awarded $1,000 per year in a renewable scholarship. This scholarship may only be paired with one non-theatre Fine Arts award, such as art or music. Students may participate in both programs but will only be eligible for one award. Learn more
LEGACY GRANT
Students with a parent, grandparent, sibling (dependent in the household), or spouse who is a Clarke University student or graduate are eligible to receive a Clarke University Legacy Grant of $1,000 towards tuition. Students who are dependent and attend Clarke with a qualifying family member simultaneously are eligible to receive the Legacy Grant. Both family members must be full-time undergraduate students in the daytime academic program. The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA. Legacy Grant is stacked on top of the athletic letters of intent amounts.
Note: Referral based scholarships and grants are not stackable. Students may only receive one referral-based award: Legacy Grant or CARE Society Scholarship.
CARE SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP
The Clarke Alumni Referral and Engagement (CARE) Society Scholarship offers a $1,000 renewable scholarship to full-time undergraduate students who are referred to Clarke by an alumna/us or a current full-time Clarke student prior to their acceptance to the University. Alumni who refer a legacy student will still be recognized as part of the CARE Society. The renewal requirement is a 2.0 GPA. The Care Society scholarship is stacked on top of the athletic letters of intent amounts. Learn more
Note: Referral based scholarships and grants are not stackable. Students may only receive one referral-based award: Legacy Grant or CARE Society Scholarship.
INTERNATIONAL NEED GRANT
The International Need Grant is not available during a student’s first academic year. After completing their first year at Clarke, international students may request the application for by contacting the International Advisor. Eligibility for the grant will be determined upon review by the Department of Financial Aid. This grant is designed to help offset the annual increase in housing costs, tuition, and general fess for international students. Students living off campus are eligible to receive the grant only for the increase in tuition and general fees, not housing costs. To remain eligible for renewal, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0