Salem College offers merit awards to students of exceptional talent. The scholarships outlined below are for students up to age twenty-two; 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. In addition to GPAs and SAT/ACTs, your extracurricular activities, community service, leadership experience, and special talents are considered. As a member of NCAA Division III, 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 Salem College scholarships. In addition, all scholarship recipients may apply for need-based aid.

Full Scholarships

The Robert E. Elberson Scholarship is a high honors, full scholarship that covers tuition and 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 are prestigious awards that cover full tuition (not room and board) and are offered each year to ten to fifteen 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 11, and continues through Monday, February 13, 2017. Each award is renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 college GPA and is a full-time resident student.

Transfer Scholarship

Awards of $6,000 to $18,000 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. 

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for women ages 18-22 at the time of transfer, awards a varying number of renewable scholarships of $15,000-$18,000 to Phi Theta Kappa scholars upon acceptance to Salem College. Non-U.S. citizens, early college students, part-time students, and students with previous bachelor’s degrees are not eligible. 

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships of $1,000–$20,000 are awarded to incoming students, in recognition of their outstanding musical ability, who intend to minor or major in music. 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

Accepted first-year students interested in majoring in Studio Art, Art History or Design can apply for the Dr. John Preston Davis Art Scholarship. The Davis Scholarship is worth full tuition and is renewable annually with a 3.0 GPA. Students will need to submit an essay (topic below) and provide a letter of recommendation (if majoring in Studio Art or Design, one of these letters should be from an art teacher). Finalists will be invited to interview at Scholarship Weekend. Studio Art and Design candidates should bring a portfolio at the time of the interview.