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University of Redlands · California

Redlands scholarships and merit aid

Redlands pairs a holistic Achievement Award of up to $37,000/year with three 2026-27 'Redlands Promise' tuition guarantees (full tuition for income-qualified Californians with a 3.5 GPA, an $18,000 UC-price match for Californians with a 3.0 GPA, and a $26,000 tuition cap for out-of-state students with a 3.0 GPA).

Verified Jul 20262 months ago

The short answer

Is Redlands worth a closer look?

Redlands may be worth checking, but its awards do not follow a simple grades-and-scores chart. Start with the published scholarships below.

Merit tiers10See who qualifies
Research checkedJul 2026By our research team

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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.

Up to $37,000 per year

Achievement Award

Apply separatelyCan continue
GPA
Not stated (no published GPA cutoff)
See who qualifies and how to keep it
Who qualifies

Superior academic records and an unusual degree of leadership and accomplishment in school or community activities; all applicants considered during application review.

How to keep it

Renewal policy: Academic good standing with at least a B average (3.0 GPA).

Notes

All applicants are considered automatically during the admission application review; no published GPA/test grid — award determined holistically from the application.

Source

$7,000-Total cost

The Richard and Virginia Hunsaker Scholarship Prize

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Competitive: nominated/identified during application review, invited to campus interview weekend (March 20-22; interviews March 21 only). Award amount within the range is set by demonstrated financial need via FAFSA; non-need scholars receive $7,000. Finalists who interview receive an additional $2,000.

How to keep it

The Hunsaker Scholarship is renewable for all four years at Redlands assuming you are enrolled full-time and meet other eligibility requirements.

Notes

Main scholarships page says approximately eight incoming freshmen are selected annually; the Hunsaker FAQ page says the program hopes to enroll 10-12 Scholars each year (conflict noted in Section C).

Source

$2,000

Distinguished Leader Scholarship

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Awarded to Hunsaker finalists who interview but are not offered the Hunsaker Scholarship Prize.

Source

Full tuition

Redlands Tuition Promise — Full-tuition guarantee

Apply separatelyCan continue
GPA
3.5 recalculated GPA (academic weighted 10-12 GPA)
See who qualifies and how to keep it
Who qualifies

California residents; domestic first-year CAS students entering 2026-27; full-time (12+ credits); meet income qualifications ($144,700 with assets lower than $111,900); qualify for Cal Grant A; complete FAFSA or CA Dream Act application by March 2, 2026.

How to keep it

Your total grant amount for years 2-4 will remain constant at the tuition level from the first year. The University will not make up any loss of Federal or State grant money in years 2-4, and the total grant amount does not account for any increases in tuition in years 2-4.

Notes

Tuition only — fees, room, board, books, and supplies are NOT included. Covered by combined gift aid (state, federal, and institutional grants/scholarships), not a single institutional award. Income/asset and residency gated.

Source

Tuition capped at $18,000…Tuition capped at $18,000 (first year)

Redlands Tuition Promise — UC guarantee

Apply separatelyCan continue
GPA
3.0 recalculated GPA (academic weighted 10-12 GPA)
See who qualifies and how to keep it
Who qualifies

California high school seniors; domestic first-year CAS students entering 2026-27; full-time (12+ credits); FAFSA or CA Dream Act application by March 2, 2026; total family AGI below $300,000 for the 2024 tax year.

How to keep it

Your total grant amount for years 2-4 will remain constant at the level from your first year. Total grant amount assumes no change in state or federal grant money; the University will not make up any loss and does not account for tuition increases in years 2-4.

Notes

A tuition price cap, not a stated scholarship amount: first-year tuition will not exceed $18,000 after all gift aid is applied. Fees, room, board, books, supplies not included.

Source

Tuition capped at $26,000 (2026-27)

$26K in '26 (out-of-state guarantee)

Apply separatelyCan continue
GPA
3.0 recalculated GPA (academic weighted 10-12 GPA)
See who qualifies and how to keep it
Who qualifies

Out-of-state admitted high school seniors; domestic first-year CAS students entering 2026-27; full-time (12+ credits); FAFSA by March 2, 2026 (or U of R 2026-27 Financial Aid Worksheet for undocumented students living outside California).

How to keep it

Your total grant amount for years 2-4 will remain constant at the level from your first year. The total grant amount assumes no change in state or federal grant money; the University will not make up any loss and does not account for tuition increases in those years.

Notes

A tuition price cap: first-year tuition costs will not exceed $26,000 after all gift aid is applied. Fees, room, board, books, supplies not included.

Source

Up to $3,500 per year

Art Award

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Determined by the Art department based on samples of work (up to 12 pieces uploaded after admission); apply to the University by regular decision (Jan. 15).

How to keep it

Academic good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA and departmental review of work; major required.

Source

Up to $3,500 per year

Creative Writing Award

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Determined by the Creative Writing department based on a writing sample (e.g., five poems; two short stories; a chapter from a novel; two personal essays; or three examples of literary journalism); apply by regular decision (Jan. 15).

How to keep it

Academic good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA; major required.

Source

Up to $10,000 per year

Music Award

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Departmental determination based upon auditions; separate music application to the Conservatory of Music required; offered on a rolling basis.

How to keep it

Academic good standing with at least a 3.0 GPA with requirement of private music study and participation in major conducted ensemble.

Source

Up to $8,000 per year

Theatre Award

Apply separatelyCan continue
See who qualifies
Who qualifies

Determined by the Department of Theatre and Dance based on a statement of interest and theatre résumé; optional performance audition (max 3 minutes) or design/production portfolio; apply by regular decision (Jan. 15).

How to keep it

Academic good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA and department review of work; major required.

Source

See what could change an award

Rules that could change the answer

These are the rules we would flag for your family. Each comes from Redlands's published information.

  • Renewal ruleThe Richard and Virginia Hunsaker Scholarship Prize: renewal floor that quietly knocks awards out

    The Hunsaker Scholarship is renewable for all four years at Redlands assuming you are enrolled full-time and meet other eligibility requirements. A single rough term can end a four-year award here without warning if the GPA floor isn't met cumulatively.

  • Aid capHard $83,950 cost-of-attendance ceiling

    Institutional aid at Redlands cannot push the package past $83,950. Big outside wins can mathematically reduce institutional grant once the ceiling is reached.

What families often miss

  1. All three guarantees (full-tuition, UC guarantee, $26K in '26) explicitly exclude 'the cost of fees, room, board, books, and supplies.' With 2026-27 housing at $13,504 and the meal plan at $5,906, a 'full tuition' family still faces roughly $20,000+ in direct charges.

  2. The Promise pages state the total grant amount for years 2-4 'will remain constant at the level from your first year,' that Redlands 'will not make up any loss of Federal or State grant money in years 2-4,' and that the amount 'does not account for any increases in tuition' — so out-of-pocket cost can rise every year.

  3. The full-tuition Promise requires California residency, a 3.5 recalculated GPA, income of $144,700 with assets lower than $111,900, and Cal Grant A qualification; the UC guarantee requires family AGI below $300,000 (2024 tax year). High-income or out-of-state families do not qualify for these two programs.

  4. All three Tuition Promise guarantees require completing the appropriate financial aid forms by March 2, 2026, the Hunsaker Prize requires a FAFSA by March 2nd for need-based consideration, and the Financial Aid Policies page says students receiving a University grant 'MUST reapply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA each year by March 2.'

  5. The scholarships page warns: 'University policies limit the number and amount of institutional scholarships that students may receive.' Multiple Redlands awards may not fully add together; the award letter governs.

  6. Redlands states outside scholarship funds are 'added to their financial aid packages; this may allow us to reduce their loans or adjust their packages' — so an outside award can trigger a package adjustment rather than reducing your bill dollar-for-dollar. Loans are named first, but 'adjust their packages' leaves the order unclear.

  7. The Achievement Award requires a 3.0 GPA ('B average') to renew; the Music Award requires a 3.0 plus private music study and ensemble participation; Art, Creative Writing, and Theatre awards require a 2.5 GPA plus the major and departmental review. The Financial Aid Policies (SAP) page confirms 'merit and talent scholarships carry higher GPA requirements (typically 3.0)' than the 2.0 SAP floor.

  8. Art, Creative Writing, and Theatre awards require applying to the University by the regular decision deadline (Jan. 15) plus uploading work samples after admission; Music requires a separate Conservatory application and audition. The first-year FAQ confirms: 'Students must apply by the January 15 deadline to be considered.'

  9. The Hunsaker award ranges from $7,000 to total cost 'based upon demonstrated financial need' from the FAFSA; selected scholars without demonstrated need receive only the $7,000 scholarship (plus any Achievement Scholarship already awarded).

See costs and school data

Who this school may work for

Strong-GPA California students who qualify for a Cal Grant A can win full tuition without a separate application; out-of-state students with a 3.0 GPA get a $26,000 tuition cap. High-achieving leaders should aim for the competitive Hunsaker Scholarship Prize, which can cover full demonstrated need.

Published yearly cost: Approximately $83,950 for 2026-2027. Source

Cost and graduation facts

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

Average annual net price by family income at Redlands, academic year 2021-22
Family incomeAverage net price paid
$0–$30,000$28,287
$30,001–$48,000$25,728
$48,001–$75,000$26,196
$75,001–$110,000$25,767
$110,001+$38,257
All income levels (average)$30,031

Sticker price vs. what students actually pay

Published tuition & fees, AY 2022-23
$60,878
Average net price paid (all Title-IV aid), AY 2021-22
$30,031

That works out to roughly a 61% discount below the federal AY 2021-22 average cost of attendance of $76,630 (College Scorecard — a separate, federally reported figure, not the published cost of attendance shown above).

Outcomes for students who enrolled here

Graduation rate (150% of normal time), 2016 cohort
67%
First-year retention rate, 2021 cohort
84%
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)
$72,690
Share of students receiving a Pell grant, AY 2021-22
40%
Share of students receiving a federal loan, AY 2021-22
59%
See other scholarships and cost examples

If your student brings another scholarship

When an outside scholarship is restricted to tuition and fees, Redlands grant and merit awards may be adjusted so that institutional aid plus other need-based funding does not exceed the cost of tuition.

Verified policy language (2026-07-02): If you receive any additional resources not listed on the award letter (e.g. tuition benefits, outside scholarships, etc.) during the academic year, according to federal regulations and University of Redlands policy, you are required to inform Student Financial Services. If you receive a scholarship that is to be used for tuition and fees only; University grant and/or merit awards may need to be adjusted. Please note that the combination of University grant and merit awards plus other need-based funding (loans typically excluded) cannot exceed the cost of tuition.

Source

Other Redlands scholarships worth checking

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

Amount$5,000-Total costEligibilityNative American/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian students who demonstrate a commitment and connection to a Native community through leadership and advocacy; amount based on demonstrated financial need (FAFSA); apply through Native Student Programs.

Funded by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation; awardees are expected to develop valuable contributions to Native communities after graduation.

Source

Amount$2,000EligibilityHunsaker Scholarship finalists who interview for the scholarship.

Added on top of the Hunsaker award; finalists not selected instead receive the renewable $2,000 Distinguished Leader Scholarship.

Source

Redlands merit aid FAQ

  • Is there a separate merit scholarship application or deadline?

    No separate application for the Achievement Award — 'All applicants are considered for an achievement award during the application review process.' First-year priority application deadlines are Early Action 1: November 1, Early Action 2: December 1, and Regular Decision: January 15. Talent awards (Art, Creative Writing, Theatre, Music) require applying by the January 15 regular decision deadline (Music requires a separate Conservatory application and audition).

  • What is the financial aid (FAFSA) deadline?

    The Tuition Promise programs require the FAFSA or California Dream Act application by March 2, 2026. The first-year FAQ states 'The deadline for receipt of the FAFSA each year is March 2,' and continuing students must reapply by March 2 each year to keep University grants.

  • Do I automatically get full tuition with a 3.5 GPA in California?

    Only if you also meet the income qualifications ($144,700 with assets lower than $111,900), qualify for the Cal Grant A, are a California resident enrolling full-time in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2026-27, and file the FAFSA/CA Dream Act application by March 2, 2026. The guarantee covers tuition only — not fees, room, board, books, or supplies.

  • When are Hunsaker Scholarship decisions made?

    Per the Hunsaker FAQs for the 2026 cycle: RSVP by Friday, February 27, 2026; the scholarship weekend is March 20-22 with interviews on Saturday, March 21; 'Scholarship decisions and updated financial aid offers will be available by Monday, March 29.'

  • Will my aid stay the same all four years?

    The first-year FAQ says: 'If financial circumstances remain the same, students can expect a similar level of grant assistance from the University.' Under the Tuition Promise the total grant amount is frozen at the first-year level for years 2-4 and does not rise with tuition. Merit/talent awards renew only with the required GPA (3.0 for Achievement and Music; 2.5 for Art, Creative Writing, Theatre) and, for talent awards, continued enrollment in the major.

  • What happens if I win an outside scholarship?

    Redlands adds outside scholarship funds to your financial aid package: 'this may allow us to reduce their loans or adjust their packages.' Ask Student Financial Services (sfs@redlands.edu) exactly which aid would be reduced before counting outside money as extra.

See sources and other schools

How Redlands compares

  • 235 of 749 verified schools in our dataset use cost-of-attendance cap displacement.

    Redlands is in a recognizable cluster (235 schools share this category). That framing matters when comparing peer schools that may publish the policy differently or not at all.

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

    Redlands 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 Redlands’s own published materials. Below is the full reference set.

Compare with similar schools

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