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Carthage scholarships and merit aid

The short answer

Carthage is worth checking if your student has strong grades or scores. We found 16 published awards, and one is based on those numbers.

Where does your student land?

Verified Jul 2026
1 school source to explore

Published rules, with the school sources close at hand. Confirm the details before you count on an award.

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The award collection

Published scholarships

These amounts and requirements come from the school’s own published pages. Open an award to see who qualifies and how to keep it.

Where does your student land?

  1. Academic Scholarships$19,000-$22,000AutomaticRenewable
    Published awardAcademic thresholds

    Academic Scholarships

    $19,000-$22,000

    Published rangeAll published eligibility conditions still apply. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    GPA
    2.5-4.0 (non-weighted cumulative HS GPA)
    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Academic Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Full-time undergraduate seeking first bachelor's degree; awarded at time of admission, no additional application.

    How to keep it

    Renewal requires an annual minimum cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment status (specific GPA not stated on this page).

    Worth knowing

    Amounts are for students starting classes in fall 2026 or later.

  2. The Presidential Scholarship Program$33,000-Full tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    The Presidential Scholarship Program

    $33,000-Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for The Presidential Scholarship Program

    Who qualifies

    Open to all majors; apply to Carthage plus Presidential Scholarship Program application and essay by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    25 scholarships awarded.

  3. Kenosha/Racine ScholarshipsFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Kenosha/Racine Scholarships

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Kenosha/Racine Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Kenosha/Racine-area students; application and essay by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    Twelve full-tuition awards; 'These scholarships incorporate all Carthage assistance.'

  4. Math/Science ScholarshipsFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Math/Science Scholarships

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Math/Science Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Math/Science Scholarship Program application by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    Two awards; incorporate all Carthage assistance.

  5. School of Business and Economics ScholarshipsFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    School of Business and Economics Scholarships

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for School of Business and Economics Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Application by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    Two awards; incorporate all Carthage assistance.

  6. Nursing Scholarships$10,000-Full tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Nursing Scholarships

    $10,000-Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Nursing Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Nursing Scholarship Program application by November 1.

    Worth knowing

    One full-tuition plus four $10,000/yr awards; incorporate all Carthage assistance.

  7. Engineering/Computer Science/Game Development Scholarships$33,000-Full tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Engineering/Computer Science/Game Development Scholarships

    $33,000-Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Engineering/Computer Science/Game Development Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Application by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    One full-tuition and one $33,000/yr award; incorporate all Carthage assistance.

  8. French/Japanese/Spanish Scholarships$33,000Not automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    French/Japanese/Spanish Scholarships

    $33,000

    Published amountNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for French/Japanese/Spanish Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Major/minor in French or Japanese, or major in Spanish; Modern Languages Scholarship application by November 1.

    How to keep it

    Renewable for four years.

    Worth knowing

    Up to four awards; incorporates all Carthage assistance.

  9. History/English/Creative Writing ScholarshipFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    History/English/Creative Writing Scholarship

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for History/English/Creative Writing Scholarship

    Who qualifies

    Application by November 1.

    Worth knowing

    One award; incorporates all Carthage assistance.

  10. Communication/Public Relations ScholarshipFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Communication/Public Relations Scholarship

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Communication/Public Relations Scholarship

    Who qualifies

    Application by November 1.

    Worth knowing

    One award; incorporates all Carthage assistance.

  11. Teacher Education ScholarshipFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Teacher Education Scholarship

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Teacher Education Scholarship

    Who qualifies

    Application by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    One award; incorporates all Carthage assistance.

  12. Kenosha Police/Fire ScholarshipFull tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Kenosha Police/Fire Scholarship

    Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Kenosha Police/Fire Scholarship

    Who qualifies

    Dependent of a City of Kenosha police officer or firefighter; application and essay by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    One award; incorporates all Carthage assistance.

  13. Tarble Family California ScholarshipsUp to $33,000Not automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Tarble Family California Scholarships

    Up to $33,000

    Variable or qualified amountNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Tarble Family California Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Incoming freshmen or transfer students from California; application and essay by December 3.

    Worth knowing

    Up to 10 awards, 'up to $33,000 per year in Carthage assistance.'

  14. Visual and Performing Arts ScholarshipsVaries (no published amount)Not automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

    Varies (no published amount)

    Variable or qualified amountNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    Competitive audition and/or portfolio review by late February (exact date varies by program); recipients must participate in department activities. Ask the aid office what the current award range is — the page stopped publishing dollar figures.

  15. Spring Scholarships$31,000-Full tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Spring Scholarships

    $31,000-Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Spring Scholarships

    Who qualifies

    New incoming Spring Term freshmen and transfer students; application and essay by December 1.

    How to keep it

    Renewable for up to three years.

    Worth knowing

    One full-tuition and one $31,000/yr award.

  16. Fall Transfer Scholarship Competition$33,000-Full tuitionNot automaticRenewable
    Published awardOther selection criteria

    Fall Transfer Scholarship Competition

    $33,000-Full tuition

    Published coverage or packageNot recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules. Confirm the policy year with the school.

    Start with the award’s published eligibility.

    RenewableCheck the conditions
    Open award details for Fall Transfer Scholarship Competition

    Who qualifies

    New incoming transfer students; application deadline May 2026.

    How to keep it

    Renewable for up to three years.

    Worth knowing

    One full-tuition and one $33,000/yr award. Additional transfer scholarships exist on the transfer scholarships page (not opened this session).

Lights up against Carthage's published cutoffs. Not an award offer; confirm with the financial aid office. Award terms and residency rules change; some awards differ for in-state and out-of-state students. Always confirm at the school’s source page.

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  • “it told me what to ask and what the renewal GPA looked like, which I was not going to find on my own”Melissa

The fine print

Renewal ruleAcademic Scholarships: renewal floor that quietly knocks awards out

Renewal requires an annual minimum cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment status (specific GPA not stated on this page). A single rough term can end a four-year award here without warning if the GPA floor isn't met cumulatively.

Outside awardsNo published displacement order

Carthage's policy doesn't specify whether outside scholarships hit loans, grants, or only the COA ceiling. Get a written aid-office answer before chasing private awards.

What makes Carthage different

Carthage stacks an automatic GPA-only merit grid ($19,000-$22,000/yr, no test scores needed) under an unusually deep bench of competitive full-tuition scholarships — but all non-need aid combined is capped at tuition.

Merit tiers161 based on grades or scores
Research checkedJul 2026By our research team

More than one award path

Separate the two paths.

Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

  1. Match the published criteria

    Use all requirements together, including residency and the entering class.

  2. Check the application dates

    Confirm the current admission and scholarship deadlines directly with the school.

  3. Know what happens next year

    Check renewal, credit requirements and how other aid affects the award.

The fine print / Three questions to carry forward

Before you count on it.

Does it apply to us? Confirm the entering year, residency and every eligibility condition.

Can we keep it? Check renewal GPA, credits and how long the award lasts.

Can we combine it? Ask how outside scholarships and other school awards change the offer.

Take Carthage's decision sheet

A printable research summary, source links and room for your questions.

See what could change an award

What families often miss

  1. The page states combined non-need-based scholarships and grants 'cannot exceed tuition unless otherwise noted,' and even with federal and state grants the total may 'not ... exceed full tuition.' Room and board are never covered by these awards.

  2. Competitive scholarships (Presidential, Math/Science, Kenosha/Racine, etc.) 'incorporate all Carthage assistance' — they replace your existing Carthage merit award rather than adding to it.

  3. The big-money competitions close early: November 1 (Communication/PR, Modern Languages, History/English/Creative Writing, Nursing) and December 3 (Presidential, Business, Math/Science, Kenosha/Racine, Teacher Education, Engineering/CS/Game Dev, Tarble California, Police/Fire, Alumni).

  4. 'Renewal requires an annual minimum cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment status' for non-need awards; the smaller grants (Visit, Lutheran, Legacy, Ministerial) each require a 2.0 cumulative GPA to renew, and the Early FAFSA Filers Award is lost if the FAFSA isn't refiled by January 1 each year.

  5. Two no-competition awards are left on the table: the $1,000/yr Visit Grant (just schedule a visit) and the $500/yr Early FAFSA Filers Award (FAFSA received by February 1, regardless of need).

See costs and school data

Who this school may work for

Strong-GPA students (test-optional friendly — the grid uses GPA only) who will also enter the December/November competitive scholarship cycles; Kenosha/Racine locals and Californians get dedicated full-tuition/large-award tracks.

Cost and graduation facts

Federal reporting on who actually enrolls at Carthage, what they paid after aid, and what happened next — independent of anything the school markets.

Average annual net price by family income at Carthage, academic year 2021-22
Family incomeAverage net price paid
$0–$30,000$23,293
$30,001–$48,000$23,630
$48,001–$75,000$22,427
$75,001–$110,000$24,995
$110,001+$29,176
All income levels (average)$26,565

Sticker price vs. what students actually pay

Total cost of attendance (sticker), AY 2021-22
$50,822
Published tuition & fees, AY 2022-23
$38,750
Average net price paid (all Title-IV aid), AY 2021-22
$26,565

That works out to an average 48% discount off the sticker price above — both figures come from the same federal AY 2021-22 Scorecard report, not a number the school itself published.

Outcomes for students who enrolled here

Graduation rate (150% of normal time), 2016 cohort
64%
First-year retention rate, 2021 cohort
73%
Median debt at completion, 2020–2021 completers
$26,000 (~$276/mo on a 10-yr plan)
Median earnings, 10 years after entry (measured 2020-21)
$56,950
Share of students receiving a Pell grant, AY 2021-22
35%
Share of students receiving a federal loan, AY 2021-22
96%
See other scholarships and cost examples

If your student brings another scholarship

The school does not publish a specific outside-scholarship displacement policy; confirm treatment with the aid office before counting on stacking.

Verified policy language (2026-07-02): Outside Scholarships / External Opportunities Visit your high school guidance office to learn about local scholarships from community, religious, and service organizations. In addition, the following websites are useful scholarship search resources... Please note: Do not pay money to have any organization search for scholarships. These are not worth the cost and a search can be done easily and free of charge. Separately, the school's own award-stacking rules: Non-need scholarships and grants can be combined but are capped at tuition; competitive full-tuition awards 'incorporate all Carthage assistance' (they replace, not add to, other Carthage aid); institutional aid plus federal/state grants also cannot exceed full tuition. (per https://www.carthage.edu/admissions/undergraduate-students/undergraduate-scholarships/)

Source

Other Carthage scholarships worth checking

These awards can be harder to find. Each one has its own rules.

Amount$1,000/yrEligibilityProspective students who visit Carthage; one per student

Four-year value $4,000; renewal requires 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Source

Amount$500/yrEligibilityFAFSA received by the Federal Processing Agency by February 1; regardless of financial need

Renewable with FAFSA completion by January 1 each year.

Source

Amount$1,000/yrEligibilityMembers of congregations affiliated with the Lutheran Church

Four-year value $4,000; 2.0 GPA to renew.

Source

Amount$1,000/yrEligibilityGrandchildren, children and siblings of Carthage alumni and students

Four-year value $4,000; 2.0 GPA to renew.

Source

Amount$500/yrEligibilityChildren of ELCA ministers

Four-year value $2,000; 2.0 GPA to renew.

Source

Amount$2,000 (3 awards)EligibilityDirect relative of a Carthage graduate

Amount may be increased/decreased at Alumni Council discretion; materials postmarked by December 3.

Source

Amount$2,250/yrEligibilityWisconsin high school seniors with the highest GPA in each WI public/private high school

Half state-funded, half matched by Carthage; applied toward tuition.

Source

Carthage merit aid FAQ

  • What are the scholarship deadlines at Carthage?

    Automatic Academic Scholarships need no application. Competitive deadlines on the scholarships page: November 1 (Communication/PR, French/Japanese/Spanish, History/English/Creative Writing, Nursing), December 1 (Spring Scholarships), December 3 (Presidential, Business & Economics, Teacher Education, Engineering/CS/Game Development, Kenosha/Racine, Police/Fire, Math/Science, Tarble California, Alumni Association), late February (Visual & Performing Arts auditions/portfolio), May 2026 (Fall Transfer competition).

  • Do I need test scores for Carthage merit aid?

    The automatic Academic Scholarship grid is based only on cumulative non-weighted high school GPA ($22,000 for 3.75-4.0 down to $19,000 for 2.5-2.99); no ACT/SAT is mentioned.

  • Can my Carthage scholarships cover room and board?

    No. Combined non-need scholarships/grants cannot exceed tuition unless otherwise noted, and scholarships plus federal/state grants may not exceed full tuition. 2026-27 tuition is $21,625 per semester; standard housing ($4,575/semester) and meals ($2,650/semester) are extra.

  • What does Carthage cost for 2026-27?

    Full-time tuition is $21,625 per semester, standard housing $4,575 per semester, and the standard meal plan $2,650 per semester (tuition is the same in-state and out-of-state). No single full cost-of-attendance total is published on the tuition page.

See sources and other schools

How Carthage compares

  • 133 of 749 verified schools in our dataset use unclear or unpublished displacement.

    Carthage is in a recognizable cluster (133 schools share this category). That framing matters when comparing peer schools that may publish the policy differently or not at all.

  • 133 of 749 verified schools publish no clear displacement order.

    Carthage is one of them. The right move is the aid-office email script below, not a guess.

  • 665 of 749 verified schools publish at least one four-year renewable merit award.

    Carthage is one of them. The cohort minority (84 schools) only awards one-year scholarships, which means the four-year value families assume on a brochure quote isn't guaranteed at every school.

Sources used on this page

Every claim is checked against Carthage’s own published materials. Below is the full reference set.

Compare with similar schools

Keep exploring Carthage merit aid

The next chapter

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