The starting point
Christian Reformed university in Grand Rapids with one of the most transparent automatic merit ladders published anywhere — six named tiers from $10,000 (Faculty's, 3.1 GPA / 20 ACT) up to $22,000 (National Merit) with explicit GPA/test cutoffs and a SAP-based renewal contract for five full years.
Published academic criteria. These awards are recorded as automatic on academic criteria. Match the published grades and scores, then check residency, entering year and every additional condition.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 7 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
National Merit Scholarship
$22,000 per year · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: Selection by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Finalists must designate Calvin as their first-choice university to receive the award. Eligible for one National Merit Scholarship only.
Renewal: Renewable automatically for up to five years contingent on Satisfactory Academic Progress (Fall 2026 and later).
Other terms: Calvin offers a separate $2,000 Calvin National Merit Supplement on top of the $20,000 Trustee's award for NMF who select Calvin as first-choice — effectively letting NMF stack to roughly $22,000.
https://calvin.edu/financial-aid/types-aid/academic-scholarships
Trustee's Scholarship
$20,000 per year · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 4.2 weighted high school GPA · SAT: 1350 SAT · ACT: 30 ACT
Eligibility: 91 CLT. Test-optional applicants evaluated on GPA only. No separate application required. Stackable with $2,000 Calvin National Merit Supplement for NMF.
Renewal: Renewable automatically for up to five years contingent on Satisfactory Academic Progress (Fall 2026 and later). Earlier cohorts: guaranteed through sophomore year, then renewable with 3.0 cumulative Calvin GPA measured after fourth semester.
https://calvin.edu/financial-aid/types-aid/academic-scholarships
President's Scholarship
$18,000 per year · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.9 weighted high school GPA · SAT: 1200 SAT · ACT: 26 ACT
Eligibility: 85 CLT. Test-optional applicants evaluated on GPA only.
Renewal: Renewable automatically for up to five years with Satisfactory Academic Progress (Fall 2026 and later).
https://calvin.edu/financial-aid/types-aid/academic-scholarships
