Financial aid can play a crucial role when considering higher education. PLNU offers a range of scholarships tailored to support students committed to academic excellence. Explore the opportunities available to you and take a step closer to pursuing your goals at PLNU.
PLNU Incoming Freshmen Merit Scholarships
For freshmen starting PLNU in fall 2025 to spring 2026.
PLNU-awarded scholarships are available between $12,000-$24,000 per year. Qualification data will include unweighted GPA and weighted GPA or SAT/ACT score.
Scholarship Calculator
2025-26 First-Time Freshman Merit Award Criteria
Student must meet any 2 of 3 criteria to qualify:
| Award | Amount | Criteria: Any 2 of 3 criteria to qualify |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Gold | $24,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.95 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 4.40 SAT ≥ 1430 or ACT ≥ 32 |
| President’s Green | $21,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.90 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 4.25 SAT ≥ 1400 or ACT ≥ 31 |
| Trustee’s | $18,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.85 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 4.00 SAT ≥ 1370 or ACT ≥ 30 |
| Provost’s | $16,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.80 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 3.90 SAT ≥ 1340 or ACT ≥ 29 |
| Dean’s | $14,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.50 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 3.75 SAT ≥ 1280 or ACT ≥ 27 |
| Bresee | $12,000 | Unweighted HS GPA ≥ 3.25 Weighted HS GPA ≥ 3.55 SAT ≥ 1180 or ACT ≥ 24 |
Understanding your financial aid and scholarship options can potentially save you a lot of time and money. Learn more about the types of scholarships PLNU offers to accepted students.
PLNU Transfer** Merit Scholarships
For transfer students beginning PLNU in fall 2025 to spring 2026.
**For transfer students who have completed 16 or more units at another college or university after graduating high school. Transfer students who will have completed fewer than 16 units at another college or university at the time they begin classes at PLNU are not eligible for transfer merit aid. However, incoming freshmen merit aid (with the same requirements) is available.
Renewal: All PLNU Merit-Based Awards are able to be renewed for all four years that you're a PLNU student. Students are guaranteed their scholarship for their first two years, and after that, a 3.4 college GPA must be maintained to renew both of the President and the Trustee Scholarships. The Provost, Dean, and Bresee Scholarships each require a 3.2 cumulative GPA for renewal.
Read more about merit-based awards.
81.5% of new sTudenTs
received a merit award in 2023-24.68 new sTudenTs
were awarded performance-based scholarship in 2023-24.145 New Students
were awarded transfer scholarships in 2023-24.
Performance-Based Awards
Performance-based awards include athletic, music, theatre, and forensics scholarships. Performance awards may be combined with academic and science honors scholarships.
Students are expected to contact the applicable department to apply for the involvement scholarships mentioned above.
Athletic Scholarships
Students should contact the intercollegiate athletic department at (619) 849-2265. For students who live on campus, athletic scholarships can only be used to help pay tuition, mandatory and other fees, and on-campus room and board.
Debate Scholarships
Students should contact the forensics coach in the Department of Communication Studies at (619) 849-2391.
Music Scholarships
Students should contact the department assistant in the Department of Music at (619) 849-2445.
Diversity Leadership Scholarship
PLNU's Office of Multicultural & International Student Services offers scholarships to support students of diversity who will contribute to the PLNU community as leaders.
Endowed Awards
Once you’re a PLNU student, you will have the opportunity to apply for additional scholarships. PLNU offers approximately 300 endowed scholarship opportunities, made available through various PLNU departments, offices, and alumni. You can also earn stipends by being involved on campus (like being a resident assistant or serving on ASB), you can earn scholarships through your major, and more!
Looking for forms, documents, or want to talk to someone about financial aid?
Visit the Office of Student Financial Services
Outside Scholarships
We also maintain a scholarship database where you can research outside scholarships that have been made known to PLNU through other students, organizations, and businesses. You can apply to as many of these scholarships as you’d like. Just make sure you report any outside scholarship received to the Office of Student Financial Services so we can apply it to your package.