Merit Scholarships
Salem College offers merit awards to students of exceptional talent. The scholarships outlined below are for students up to age 22; adult students should contact the Fleer Center. All admitted students are considered for merit scholarships; your application for admission serves as your application for scholarships. These awards are awarded to students with excellent GPAs and SAT/ACT scores along with significant achievements in activities and service. As a member of NCAA Division II, Salem does not consider athletics in the awarding of merit or need-based scholarships.
Music scholarships are also available for incoming students with outstanding musical ability who intend to major in music. All students from the United States are eligible for the Salem College scholarships. In addition, all scholarship recipients may apply for need-based aid.
In addition to GPAs and SATs, your extracurricular activities, community service, leadership experience and special talents are considered.
Sample Salem Scholarship Awards for Boarding Students:
| SAT/ACT |
1350-1600/31-36 | 1200-1340/27-30 | 1100-1190/24-26 | 1000-1090/21-23 |
| 4.0 GPA | $14,000-full tuition | $13,000-full tuition | $10,000-$14,000 | $9,000-$13,000 |
| 3.8 GPA | $13,000-full tuition | $12,000-$15,000 | $9,000-$13,000 | $8,000-$12,000 |
| 3.5 GPA |
$10,000-$14,000 | $9,000-$13,000 | $8,000-$12,000 | $7,000-$11,000 |
Students must apply, be accepted and then compete for these awards. Final candidates will receive a personal invitation to the Salem College campus for interviews with the selection committee during Scholarship Weekend, to be held February 16-18, 2013. Please remember that Scholarship Weekend is an invitation only event.
To be considered for full tuition scholarships, applications must be postmarked by January 2, 2013. Applications for all other scholarships, including music and art, must be postmarked by January 11, 2013.
Early Notification with Distinction
A non-binding $12,000 renewable scholarship for students with a 3.5 GPA and 1100 SAT (Critical Reading & Math) OR 24 ACT. You must apply by December 1 to qualify.
Full Scholarships
The Robert E. Elberson Scholarship is a high honors, full scholarship that covers tuition, room and board and includes a semester of study abroad at Harlaxton College in Gratham, England. It is awarded to one incoming first-year student a year.
Full-Tuition Scholarships
Chatham, Davis, Weyand, Womble and Whitaker Scholarships areprestigious awards that cover full tuition (not room and board) and are offered each year to 10-15 entering first year students. These scholarships are designed to recognize and encourage young women of outstanding achievement and ability. Students are judged on the basis of superior academic performance and evidence of leadership, responsibility, and concern for others. The following characteristics are also considered: initiative, motivation, creativity, resourcefulness, and vigor. Fifteen finalists for the Elberson Scholarship and Full Tuition Scholarships will be invited for the Scholarship competition, which begins on Saturday of Salem's Scholarship weekend, February 16, and continues through February 18, 2013. Each award is renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 college GPA and is a full-time resident student.
The Presidential Scholarship
Presidential awards of $16,000-$20,000 recognize entering freshmen for academic achievement, leadership, and service. Each award is renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 college GPA and is a full-time resident.
The Governor's School Scholarship Governor's School scholarships are awarded to up to four freshmen who have attended a Governor's School summer session. Each award is worth $19,000 and is renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 college GPA and is a full-time resident.
Heritage Scholarship
Heritage Scholarships are awarded in recognition of excellent academic achievement and significant extracurricular involvement during high school. The awards are worth $12,000-$17,000 annually, with preference given to minority students. Recipients must be full-time resident students and must maintain a 2.5 college GPA to renew the scholarship each year.
Salem Academic Scholarship
Academic scholarships are awarded to several students each year who have demonstrated academic achievement. The awards are worth $15,000-$16,000 a year and are renewable with a 3.0 college GPA.
Gramley Leadership & Service Scholarship
Gramley scholarships are awarded to several students each year who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in leadership and service. Students' academic records are also considered. Each award is worth $14,000-$17,000 a year and is renewable with a 2.5 college GPA. Recipients are also expected to participate in campus and community activities.
Transfer Scholarship
Awards of $5,000 to $12,000 are offered each year to entering transfer students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement at their previous institutions. Scholarships are renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA at Salem.
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships of $1,000-$16,000 are awarded to incoming students who intend to major in music in recognition of their outstanding musical ability. Applicants must participate in auditions on Salem's campus during Scholarship Weekend or by appointment. In exceptional circumstances, applicants may submit recorded tapes. A reference from the student's music teacher is also required. Applicants are judged on the basis of general musicianship, technical proficiency, and level of repertoire as well as on academic achievement and citizenship. Each of the scholarships is renewable annually provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA in her music courses and a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
John Preston Davis Art Full-Tuition Scholarship
Students interested in majoring in Studio Art, Art History or Interior Design can apply for the Dr. John Preston Davis Art Scholarship. The Davis Scholarship is worth full tuition and renewable annually with a 3.0 GPA. Students will need to submit an essay (topic below) and provide two letters of recommendation (if majoring in Studio Art or Interior Design, one of these letters should be from an art teacher). Finalists will be invited to interview at Scholarship Weekend. Studio Art and Interior Design candidates should bring a portfolio at the time of the interview.
Essay Topic: Please respond to the topic below in 300 words. The Davis Scholarship Committee is interested in creativity and content. Please make sure that what you submit has been thoroughly reviewed for content, correct grammar and spelling.
"Why I want to study Studio Art, Art History or Interior Design"
