The starting point
DRAFT: Defiance publishes four flat-dollar academic scholarship tiers ($6,000-$13,000) determined from GPA/test scores, a transfer GPA grid, and a new 1850 Promise debt-free program for OCOG-eligible commuters from eleven northwest-Ohio counties.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
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.
Transfer Scholarship
$6,000-$13,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.75-4.0+ = $13,000; 3.5-3.74 = $12,000; 3.0-3.49 = $9,000; 2.6-2.99 = $6,000 (cumulative GPA from all previously attended colleges/universities)
Eligibility: Accepted full-time transfer students
Renewal: Renewed each year according to established requirements (specifics not published).
Other terms: Published GPA grid; awarded based on academic performance at all previously attended institutions with no separate application stated.
https://www.defiance.edu/scholarships-and-grants/
Dean's Scholarship
$13,000 · Published amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Calculated individually from GPA and ACT/SAT combination (no published cutoff) · SAT: Used in combined calculation; no published cutoff · ACT: Used in combined calculation; no published cutoff
Eligibility: Test-optional calculation (GPA only) available except for nursing, biology, or education majors
Renewal: Scholarships are offered to eligible students and are renewed each year according to established requirements (specific renewal GPA not published on this page).
Other terms: For students entering Fall 2026. Eligibility is determined individually; the page does not publish a stat grid or state the award is automatic, so automaticOnStats is set false.
https://www.defiance.edu/scholarships-and-grants/
Pilgrim Scholarship
$12,000 · Published amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Calculated individually from GPA and ACT/SAT combination (no published cutoff)
Eligibility: Test-optional option except nursing, biology, education majors
Renewal: Renewed each year according to established requirements (specifics not published).
Other terms: For students entering Fall 2026.
https://www.defiance.edu/scholarships-and-grants/
Ask before you decide
- Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
- What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
- How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?
Recorded stacking policy: Final scholarships are coordinated with other federal, state, and Defiance College awards and can be influenced by on-campus vs. commuter status; several specific awards (Presidential Service Leadership, Alumni Legacy Grant, UCC Grant, Defiance College Grant) may not be combined with athletic or music scholarships. Treatment of private outside scholarships is not addressed on the pages opened.
Our unanswered questions / Family notes
