Undergraduate Private Scholarships

A scholarship is the best kind of financial aid because it doesn't need to be repaid, so take some time to explore your private scholarship options. Who knows? Maybe your church or school has a scholarship fund for its members or students. Every little bit helps!

When finalizing your financial aid offer, Bethel must ensure your total amount of financial aid does not exceed your cost of attendance due to the institutionally controlled aid and outside (privately funded) aid you receive. When the sum of aid from all sources exceeds the cost of attendance budget, an overaward exists. Overawards are most likely to occur when students receive outside aid that was unknown or unconfirmed to Bethel when the initial financial aid offer was prepared. If you have any questions about this policy and how it may impact your financial aid, please contact your financial aid counselor.

We've compiled a few resources to get you started.

Scholarship searches

Scholarships for students studying abroad

Scholarships for military students

Our Office of Military and Veteran Services maintains a list of scholarship opportunities available to military-affiliated students.

Explore scholarships (doc)

Scholarships for students who lost parents in the line of duty

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act—On March 23, 2018, the President authorized the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act for students eligible for Pell grants whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty as a public safety officer. If you feel you may be eligible, please email finaid@bethel.edu for more information.
Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant—Provides educational benefits to dependent children and the surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1973.

Scholarships for students of color

Scholarships for students with disabilities

Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism—$5,000
Kelly Law Team Scholarship offers one $1,000 scholarship for students with Down syndrome attending college at any level.
Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship—$3,000
Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship—$500
National Down Syndrome Society O'Neill/Tabani Enrichment Fund offers five $2,000 scholarships nationally to students with Down syndrome who are pursuing postsecondary education.
Online Listing for Scholarships for College students with Down syndrome
Platta Law Firm Student with Disability Scholarship offers a $5,000 scholarship.
Ruby's Rainbow offers scholarships of $3,000-$5,000 per awarded individual, subject to available funds for each year. The Maudie's scholarship is up to $4,000 and is awarded to one select applicant per year.
Schwallie Family Scholarship—$3,000
ThinkCollege offers scholarships for students with intellectual disabilities. They have a helpful informational sheet listing various opportunities (pdf).
United Parent Support for Down Syndrome Scholarship offers six $2,500 scholarships nationally for students with Down syndrome pursuing vocational or post-secondary options.

Private Scholarships

Scholarship searches

Scholarships for students studying abroad

Scholarships for military students

Scholarships for students who lost parents in the line of duty

Scholarships for students of color

Scholarships for students with disabilities

Organizations and other scholarship opportunities

Other resources

Scholarship scams

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