Scholarships are a form of financial aid known as 'gift aid,' as these funds are not repaid to the university, federal government or other agency. Eligibility requirements and amounts awarded vary based on the type of award.

This page contains the information you need to understand the different types of scholarships offered, including university scholarships, school and college scholarships, and need-based and merit-based awards.

Temple University also offers ScholarshipUniverse for you to utilize in your scholarship search. Once admitted to Temple, you can immediately use ScholarshipUniverse to begin searching for Temple University school/college-specific scholarship opportunities and vetted outside scholarship opportunities. Outside scholarships are awarded by external organizations—institutions outside of Temple University. Scholarship criteria will vary and is set by the awarding agency. ScholarshipUniverse offers more than 15,000 vetted scholarship opportunities for students.

First-year Students

Merit-based Scholarships

All first-year students who complete their admissions application by Feb. 1 are automatically considered for merit scholarships. A separate application is not required.

In most cases, a student’s financial need will not determine a student’s eligibility for a merit scholarship. Instead, scholarships are based on the student’s academic performance in high school, accomplishments and, in the case of some academic colleges, artistic talent.

Students are notified of merit scholarships in winter or early spring, depending on when they applied. Most merit scholarships require students to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. Scholarships awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions are guaranteed for the first two years of a student’s enrollment. At the completion of the second year (fourth semester), the student must meet the minimum GPA for their scholarship to renew the fund into the third year, and again for the fourth year. Scholarships are only offered for eight consecutive semesters.

Merit-based scholarships offered by academic schools or colleges are subject to the awarding department’s criteria.

Need-based Scholarships

Eligibility for need-based scholarships is determined by a review of a student and/or family’s finances. Students should submit the FAFSA by the Feb. 1 priority deadline to be considered for institutional need-based aid.

Need-based scholarships offered by the university include the

  • Broad Street Finish Line Scholarship, which supports first-generation college students and helps them stay on track financially to graduate in four years. It is awarded annually in increments of $500 to $5,000, depending on need.

  • Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program, which is open to first-year undergraduate students who reside in specific zip codes in North Philadelphia. Amounts are based on the in-state tuition rate.

  • North Philadelphia Neighborhood Scholarship, which is open to first-year undergraduate students who reside in specific zip codes in North Philadelphia. This scholarship is for $5,000 per year.

 

Transfer Students

New transfer students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) who have completed a minimum of 15 college-level credits after high school graduation, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher are considered for academic scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, based on a review of previous college work during the application process. No separate application is required.

Note: Scholarships are renewable for up to three years as a full-time undergraduate student as long as you maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at Temple.


    School and College Scholarships

    Another way to secure a scholarship is through your school, college or specific academic program. When you apply, you will be automatically considered for any of the school or college scholarships available for incoming students. 

    There are many scholarships sponsored through our schools, colleges and academic programs that are available to enrolled students. Once you get here, you will have several different options for which awards to strive for.