The starting point
Roanoke College publishes a transparent GPA-only freshman merit grid ($10,000-$21,000, awarded automatically at acceptance with no separate application), plus stackable $1,000-$2,000 add-on grants for campus visits, alumni legacy, test scores, and Lutheran/partner-denomination affiliation.
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 11 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.
Roanoke College Merit Awards (Trustee, Presidential, Dean's, Faculty and Maroon) — freshman GPA grid
$10,000-$21,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Examples: 4.0+ = $21,000; 3.70 = $19,000; 3.50 = $17,000; 3.00 = $15,000; 2.50 = $12,000; 2.00 = $10,000
Eligibility: First-time freshmen; awarded at the time of admission; recipients must be full-time and degree-seeking. Merit offers are made only to accepted students.
Renewal: Award amounts vary and may be renewed for up to seven additional semesters provided the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Other terms: Page warns: 'Once a need-based award has been presented, the college will no longer evaluate for additional merit-based aid.'
https://www.roanoke.edu/merit
Additional $1,000 merit award (GPA + test score)
$1,000 · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: at least a 3.0 high school GPA · SAT: 1200 or higher · ACT: 25 or higher
Eligibility: Scores on file at the time of acceptance to Roanoke
Renewal: Not separately stated; merit awards generally may be renewed for up to seven additional semesters with Satisfactory Academic Progress (ask the aid office whether this bonus follows the same rule).
Other terms: Added on top of the GPA-grid merit award.
https://www.roanoke.edu/merit
Transfer merit awards (institutional merit funds for transfer students)
$8,000-$17,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Transfer GPA examples: 2.40 = $8,000; 2.60 = $10,000; 3.00 = $13,000; 3.15 = $15,000; 3.50 = $17,000
Eligibility: Available to eligible incoming transfer students upon their acceptance for Fall 2026
Renewal: Stated as 'Amount of Annual Grant'; renewal terms for transfers not separately stated beyond the college-wide Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
Other terms: Same warning applies: once a need-based award has been presented, the college will no longer evaluate for additional merit-based aid. Add-ons: +$2,000/yr with an Associates Degree and 3.0+ transfer GPA; $1,500/yr Out of State transfer grant; $1,000/yr transfer visit grant (see lesserKnownScholarships).
https://www.roanoke.edu/merit
