The starting point
A private Church of Christ-affiliated university in Malibu, CA with a tiered merit system: the Regents Scholars Program ($40,000 to $45,000/year for the top 8-10% of admits who submit test scores), the George Pepperdine Achievement Award ($16,000 to $35,000/year, automatic for students with an unweighted GPA of 3.60 or higher), a $5,000/year Christian Leadership Award for Churches of Christ members, and Special Achievement scholarships up to $57,000/year in fine arts, science, and athletics.
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 4 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.
George Pepperdine Achievement Award
$16,000 to $35,000/year · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.60 unweighted recalculated GPA guarantees at least $16,000/year; higher amounts based on holistic review
Eligibility: Awarded at time of admission based on academic achievement and overall applicant strength. No separate application required. Test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required. Higher awards go to students with stronger GPAs, greater academic rigor, or who demonstrate an excellent overall fit for Pepperdine.
Renewal: Renewable for four years. Requires minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and Satisfactory Academic Progress. Award applies only to tuition charges and is prorated if enrollment drops below full-time.
Other terms: This is the primary merit award for the broad middle of the admitted class. The 3.60 GPA floor means most competitive applicants receive at least $16,000 automatically. Transfer students with 30+ college units are eligible for $5,000 to $20,000/year. Cannot be combined with the Regents Scholars Program (student receives the higher award).
https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/application/undergraduate/affordability/
Regents Scholars Program
$40,000 to $45,000/year · Published range
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Competitive. Top 8-10% of the admitted first-year class. Evaluated on unweighted recalculated GPA and SAT/ACT/CLT scores. SAT/ACT/CLT submission is mandatory for Regents consideration even though Pepperdine is test-optional for general admission. All first-year applicants who submit scores are automatically considered; no separate application required. Notification at time of financial aid award.
Renewal: Renewable for four years (8 semesters). Requires 3.25 cumulative Pepperdine GPA, full-time enrollment, and no academic probation. There is no appeals process for loss of this scholarship.
Other terms: Includes the Blanche E. Seaver Scholarship at the highest tier. The Regents Scholars Program also provides common first-year housing, a Great Books seminar, dinner events with the Dean and Board of Regents, academic conference funding, and peer mentoring through the Regents Scholars Student Board. Cannot be combined with the George Pepperdine Achievement Award (student receives the higher award). The financial aid types page lists the program as starting at $20,000/year, while the affordability page lists $40,000-$45,000/year; the difference may reflect lower Regents tiers versus the top Blanche E. Seaver tier.
https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/application/undergraduate/affordability/
Christian Leadership Award
$5,000/year · Published amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Must be an active member of a Churches of Christ congregation. Requires a letter of recommendation from a church leader (minister, elder, youth minister). Submit recommendation through the Pepperdine Application Portal by November 1 (Early Action) or February 15 (Regular Decision).
Renewal: Renewable for four years. Requires minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Other terms: Stackable with other Pepperdine merit awards including the George Pepperdine Achievement Award and the Regents Scholars Program. This is one of the few faith-based awards at Pepperdine that adds on top of academic merit rather than replacing it.
https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/application/undergraduate/coc.htm
