Earn a Scholarship
The University of Saint Mary recognizes hard work, accomplishments, and dreams. To that end, USM offers a variety of undergraduate and doctoral scholarships.
The University of Saint Mary believes that a quality higher education should be accessible to all students – based on their abilities, not on their finances.
Review our institutional scholarships below. Most USM Scholarships are open to full-time Main Campus undergraduate students only, but several other options are available.
Regardless of your scholarship, don't hesitate to reach out to USM's Admissions or Financial Aid offices regarding options that could make your education more affordable.
Explore Scholarships: Select Your Student Type for More Info
Undergraduate Students
Student-Athletes
If you plan to be a student-athlete at USM, scholarships are awarded by your coach and the Saint Mary athletic department – and student-athletes do not qualify for the listed Freshman/Transfer academic merit awards listed below (note: academic performance is considered in the athletic scholarshipping process).
Student-athletes may still apply for consideration for the competitive Jubilee Scholarship, and may still earn some specialty awards like the fine arts/music talent scholarship and others. Student-athletes can also still be considered for university need-based aid.
Your steps moving forward:
Students who do not wish to participate in USM athletics can receive scholarships from several categories. Full-time Main Campus undergraduates (excluding athletes and Accelerated BSN students) can earn an Academic Merit Award from the lists below.
Freshman awards are based on high school GPA; Transfer awards are based on GPA on transferable coursework (transfer students should connect with their admissions counselor to better understand their transferable GPA).
» Presidential Scholarship -- $70,000 over 4 years
$17,500 renewable annually; 3.8 high school GPA or above (unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
» Dean's Scholarship -- $66,000 over 4 years
$16,500 renewable annually; 3.5-3.79 high school GPA (unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
» Trustees Scholarship -- $62,000 over 4 years
$15,500 renewable annually; 3.1-3.49 high school GPA (unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
» Blue & Gold Award -- $58,000 over 4 years
$14,500 renewable annually; 2.8-3.09 high school GPA (unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
» Opportunity Award -- $54,000 over 4 years
$13,500 renewable annually; 2.4-2.79 high school GPA (unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
» Mother Mary Berchmans Award -- $17,000
Renewable annually.
» Mother Mary Olive Mead Award -- $16,000
Renewable annually.
» Sister Mary Kevin Hollow Award -- $15,000
Renewable annually.
» USM Opportunity Award -- $14,000
Renewable annually.
» PTK Scholarship -- $2,000
Renewable annually. Can be awarded in addition to one of the awards above
Students who do not wish to participate in USM athletics are also eligible for a number of specialty, talent, and academic awards - including USM's premiere competitive award, the Jubilee Scholarship.
USM's Accelerated Nursing program is an intensive, one-year BSN program for students driven to enter the nursing field as quickly as possible. Accelerated BSN students are not eligible for freshman or transfer merit awards. However, there are several competitive USM nursing scholarships they can apply for:
- The Brisely Scholarship Program: $4,000 for students' one-year program
- The Hoferer Reilly Scholarship: $1,000
- The St. Teresa of Calcutta Nursing Scholarship: $1,000
Specialty Undergraduate Scholarships
» Full-Tuition, Room, and Board Jubilee Scholarship
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen only - must be full-time, Main Campus residential. Student-athletes are eligible.
Special application process required. To be eligible for consideration, you must meet the following criteria:
-
Earn a minimum ACT score of 26 (contact USM at admiss@stmary.edu for more information on SAT scores)
-
And either have a 3.7 cumulative high school GPA or be ranked in the top 10 percent of your graduating high school class
Contact USM Admissions for more information. Apply Now for the Jubilee Scholarship
» USM STEM Scholars Program - $15,000 annually
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen only - must be full-time, Main Campus residential. Student-athletes are eligible.
A competitive scholarship for dedicated STEM students, worth $15,000 a year, renewable. Must have demonstrated financial need and be majoring in a select STEM program.
The USM Art Talent Scholarship
— Range from $1,500-$5,000 per year, renewable annually
For incoming freshmen or new transfer students, full-time Main Campus enrollment only. Student-Athletes are eligible. Accelerated BSN students are not eligible.
To Qualify: We like to see whatever range of media you've worked in (if you've only worked in one or two media, we're happy to evaluate what you bring us). There is no set number of pieces you need to submit to be considered. Rather, we want to see recent work that you're proud of and you think shows your artistic growth.
As your portfolio is being reviewed, you will be asked some questions about your artwork and your academic plans.
*Digital portfolios accepted for review.
To Maintain:
For Students Who Entered USM as a Freshman or Transferred into USM:
-
Must take one art class per semester until an art minor is complete;
-
A cumulative GPA of 2.0
Contact the USM Admissions Office for more information.
The USM Music Talent Scholarship
— Range from $1,500-$5,000 per year, renewable annually
For incoming freshmen or new transfer students, full-time Main Campus enrollment only. Student-Athletes are eligible. Accelerated BSN students are not eligible.
To Qualify:
-
Be active in the musical life at USM
-
Live audition* with a member of the music faculty Include at least one solo in principal medium (voice, piano, or instrument)
*Recordings accepted, but live auditions preferred
To Maintain:
For Students Who Entered USM as a Freshman or Transferred into USM:
VOICE: Enrolled in MU 131 Concert Chorale each semester with a 2.0 cumulative GPA
PIANO: Enrolled in MU Private Piano each semester with a 2.0 cumulative GPA
BAND INSTRUMENT: Enrolled in MU 136 University-Community Band each semester with a 2.0 cumulative GPA
ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT: Enrolled in MU 135 Instrumental Ensemble each semester with a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Contact the USM Admissions Office for more information.
Saint Cecilia Liturgical Musician Scholarship
For incoming freshmen or new transfer students, full-time Main Campus enrollment only. The Saint Cecilia scholarship is an annual $3,000 scholarship award to students who can enliven the campus worshiping community with their musical gifts as a vocalist or instrumentalist.
To Qualify:
For Incoming Freshmen or Transfer Students:
- Agree to participate as part of a music ministry team at the University of Saint Mary
- Audition with a member of the office of campus ministry this can either be live during a visit or submitted digitally.
To Maintain:
- Must participate as a musician in at least 75% of the Sunday and other large liturgical celebrations on campus.
- Communicate consistently with the campus ministry staff when they are not able to make a service.
Email Denise Whelan at denise.whelan@stmary.edu
Athletic Talent Scholarships
Open to USM Main Campus full time undergraduate student-athletes only.
» USM First Generation Scholars Program
For students who are the first in their families to attend college, and for students with financial need.
Eligibility: Incoming full-time first-time freshmen only. Some enrollment requirements apply.
Learn MoreKC Scholars Program
USM participates in Great Jobs KC's KC Scholars program. Eligibility is determined via KC Scholars.
» Catholic High School Scholarship -- $4,000 over 4 years
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen only - must be full-time, Main Campus. Student-Athletes are eligible.
$1,000 renewable annually. Can be awarded in addition to a Freshman or Transfer Merit Award
» Cristo Rey KC and Bishop Ward High School Scholarship -- $12,000 over 4 years
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen only - must be full-time, Main Campus. Student-Athletes are not eligible.
$3,000 renewable annually. For students of Cristo Rey KC or Bishop Ward high schools. Can be awarded in addition to to a Freshman or Transfer Merit Award
» Honors Scholarship -- $10,000 over 4 years
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen or Transfers - must be full-time, Main Campus. Accelerated BSN students are not eligible. Student-athletes are not eligible
$2,500 renewable annually. Can be awarded in addition to one of the awards above
» Departmental Awards
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen or Transfers - must be full-time, Main Campus. Accelerated BSN students are not eligible. Student-athletes are not eligible
USM Departmental Awards are given based on your major — or expected major — and are in addition to other academic or talent scholarships or need-based awards you may earn. Departmental awards are issued by the heads of USM's various academic departments and programs, and are for first-time full-time main campus undergraduate students.
Qualifying for a departmental award
-
For incoming freshmen: An unweighted minimum HS GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
-
For incoming transfer students: A minimum college GPA of 3.0.
Contact USM admissions for more information on earning a departmental award.
» Transfer Nursing Scholarships
Eligibility: For students transferring in to USM's Traditional BSN program.
+ $17,500 annual transfer nursing award
+ Traditional BSN students can also qualify for the Hoferer Reilly Nursing Scholarship
Learn More about Nursing Scholarships
» Becoming an Exemplary STEM Teacher
Annual $23,000 scholarship during junior and senior years (additional aid may be available for freshman and sophomore expenses)
The BEST Scholars program prepares high-quality biology, chemistry, and math educators. The unique scholarship and teacher preparation program is open to USM juniors and seniors.
Criteria for Selection of BEST Scholars
Candidates interested in pursuing teacher education in biology, chemistry, or mathematics and applying to be selected as a BEST Scholar must be formally accepted to the BEST Scholars program. Acceptance to this program includes acceptance into the Teacher Education Program (TEP). This application process should be initiated just before or during the candidate’s sophomore year or at the time of transfer to the University of Saint Mary and includes the following criteria:
- Candidates must be U.S. citizens or nationals or permanent resident aliens
- Candidates must have completed the BEST Scholar/TEP application form
- Declared BSE Secondary in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics with the Registrar’s Office
- Demonstration of cumulative GPA greater than 2.75
- An unofficial transcript from eSpire is acceptable
- Demonstration of basic skills competencies (Praxis CORE Test of Academic Skills or composite ACT of 22 or higher)
- Two letters of recommendation (on provided forms), one of which must be from faculty in their content area
- Passing score on the interview dispositional rubric
- Essay on why the candidate wishes to become a STEM teacher
- Acceptable Certification of Health and Background Screening
After completing interviews with all final candidates, the selection committee will score all applications and create a roster that ranks candidates.
After acceptance, candidates must:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA greater than 2.75
- Receive no grade lower than “C” in support, content area, and education coursework
- Maintain acceptable dispositions
- Participate in BEST Scholars required activities
This program leads to 6-12 Initial Teacher licensure in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics.
After graduation, BEST Scholars agree to teach in a high-need school district for a minimum of four years with continued support from USM for their first two years of in-service teaching.
Celebrating Achievement: The USM BizFest Scholarship
Eligibility: Incoming Freshmen or Transfer students - must be full-time, Main Campus, and must have completed the BizFest program. Student-Athletes and Accelerated BSN students are not eligible.
The University of Saint Mary is offering scholarships to students who successfully
complete the KC BizFest program.
This scholarship—worth up to $5,000 a year—is open to both BizFest students who successfully
apply for admission to the University of Saint Mary for the academic year following
their high school graduation, and to those BizFest participants who seek to transfer
to the University of Saint Mary after achieving success and demonstrating aptitude
at another college or university. Students who earn a USM BizFest Scholarship may
still be eligible for other institutional scholarships or aid, based on their record
of academic achievement, artistic or athletic talent, or demonstrated financial need.
BizFest Scholarships are limited!
For priority consideration for a USM BizFest Scholarship, you must apply for admission
and notify the university of your BizFest experience no later than April 25 prior to the start of a Fall Semester.
To be considered for the USM BizFest Scholarship, prospective students MUST meet the
standard criteria for admission to USM as follows:
For Freshmen:
-
A minimum high school GPA of 2.5
-
A minimum ACT score of 18, including a minimum score of 18 on the ACT English section.
For Transfer Students
-
A minimum college GPA of 2.0
-
Demonstrated significant progress toward attaining a degree; demonstrated success in meaningful classes
Contact the USM admissions office for more information.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Service Award
» $2,000 renewable annually
Incoming Freshmen or Transfer students - must be full-time, Main Campus, and must have completed the BizFest program. Student-Athletes are eligible.
To Qualify:
For students with a demonstrated and consistent history of Christian leadership through community service, Christian ministry, and activity in the tradition of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Incoming Freshmen
-
Must have a 3.0 GPA or equivalent in high school.
-
Complete the online application.
-
Submit a 250-word essay describing the value and importance of Christian ministry and community service, and your future related goals *YOU WILL ATTACH YOUR ESSAY to the online application.
-
Submit a written recommendation from a pastor, youth minister, or other leader is required. Please have your recommendation letter emailed to Denise Whelan at denise.whelan@stmary.edu.
Transfer Students
-
Must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5.
-
Complete the online application.
-
Submit a 250-word essay describing the value and importance of Christian ministry and community service, and your future related goals *YOU WILL ATTACH YOUR ESSAY to the online application.
- Submit a written recommendation from a pastor, youth minister, or other leader is required. Please have your recommendation letter emailed to Denise Whelan at denise.whelan@stmary.edu
» Complete Your Online Application Now!
To Maintain:
If you are selected for the award, as a recipient you must:
-
Act as a representative for campus ministry to the student body
-
Participate in campus ministry activities, including liturgy, retreats, outreach, and service trips
-
Participate in planning at least two campus-ministry activities during the year
-
Present one campus-ministry service experience to the USM community per year
-
Maintain a full-time academic schedule (12 hours per semester), with a 3.0 GPA each year
Army ROTC:
USM also provides residential room cost support to participants in the USM Army ROTC program.
Alumni Referral (Discovery) Scholarship - $1,000
Eligibility: Full-time Main Campus undergraduate students (excluding Accelerated BSN students).
USM alums can nominate a student for a $1,000 scholarship.
To learn more about the Discovery Scholarship, alums should contact alumni@stmary.edu or 913-758-4328
Need-Based Aid
The University of Saint Mary works with each student to meet as much of their financial need as possible.
If you still have demonstrated financial need (per your FAFSA filing) after receiving academic, athletic, or other scholarships — as well as any federal or state aid you may qualify for — the university can assist you with Spire Awards.
To determine the exact amount, please be sure to file your FAFSA and complete your application for admission to the university.
The Scholarship and Aid calculators found on this page can also help. Contact financial aid or your admissions counselor for additional assistance.
Graduate Students
Most USM scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students, but USM does offer some limited programmatic scholarships, including to DPT and MSW students. All such scholarships require separate applications. Contact USM Admissions or the specific graduate program's academic advisor for more information.
Your Next Steps
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your first step to receiving a USM financial aid package.
If you are having problems completing the FAFSA, please contact our financial aid office at 913-758-4303.
USM's FAFSA Code is 001943
Helpful Links
Calculate Freshman Scholarships
Calculate Transfer Scholarships
File Your FAFSA
See FAFSA Filing Tips
Have other, in-depth financial aid questions? Review All Services from the Financial Aid Office
Connect with Financial Aid
Email: finaid@stmary.edu
Phone: 913-758-4303
Toll-Free: 800-752-7043
Fax: 913-758-6140
Maria Griese
Financial Aid Counselor,
students with last names A-K
se habla español
Email: Maria.Griese@stmary.edu
Phone: 913-758-6312
Michelle Sinclair
Financial Aid Counselor,
students with last names L-Z
Email: Michelle.Sinclair@stmary.edu
Phone: 913-758-6269