The starting point
Notre Dame is a meets-100%-of-need, no-loan private — the financial story for the vast majority of admits is need-based aid, not merit. Only about 3-4% of admits receive merit scholarships, and the headline merit awards (Stamps Scholars and Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars) are competitive named programs rather than stat-driven ladders.
Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.
Awards to discuss
The 3 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Stamps Scholars Program
Full tuition and fees + estimated cost of books, personal expenses, and transportation for up to four years (five years for Architecture or approved dual-degree) + $12,000 enrichment fund · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: All applicants, both Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Regular Decision (RD), are considered. No additional application required initially. Selection is made by the Office of Admissions from among the highest-achieving applicants who demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and exceptional character. REA semifinalists are notified in early December; RD semifinalists in early March, with required next steps from there.
Renewal: Renewable for up to eight semesters of full-time enrollment (ten semesters for Architecture or five-year engineering programs). Standard ND merit renewal terms apply.
Other terms: The most generous merit award at Notre Dame. Cohort is small, typically a handful per year. Part of the broader Stamps Scholars national network of 1,800+ current and graduate scholars across partner universities.
https://stampsscholars.nd.edu/
Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program
$25,000/year for four years ($100,000 total) + fully funded summer enrichment experiences, seminars, service-learning projects, career advising, and alumni mentoring · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Selected on academic excellence, leadership potential, character, and commitment to service. The program emphasizes the Catholic social mission and Father Hesburgh's tradition of social-justice advocacy. Selection process is separate from the Stamps process and runs in parallel.
Renewal: Renewable for four years of full-time undergraduate study; renewal terms align with the broader Hesburgh-Yusko program participation requirements.
Other terms: Funded by the $35M Yusko gift. Beyond the cash award, the program is a full leadership-development cohort with summer enrichment (e.g. Outward Bound), service-learning, career advising, and alumni mentoring; the cohort experience is often more cited by alumni than the dollar value.
https://hesburgh-yusko.nd.edu/
Notre Dame University Merit Scholarships (other named awards)
Varies — partial- to full-tuition awards for a small number of admits each year · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Every application for admission is considered for merit scholarships at Notre Dame. No separate application unless the applicant is selected as a merit semi-finalist. Selection is based on accomplishment, leadership, commitment to service, and intellectual promise; financial need is not a factor.
Renewal: Renewable for up to eight semesters (10 for Architecture and approved five-year engineering programs); recipients pursuing a second major or degree beyond those windows are not eligible for further University scholarship consideration.
Other terms: About 3-4% of admitted students receive merit aid in total (across Stamps, Hesburgh-Yusko, and other University merit awards combined). The vast majority of ND financial aid is need-based.
https://financialaid.nd.edu/aid-types/merit-based-scholarships/
