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Brandeis Merit Scholarships

The following is a list of all merit scholarship opportunities offered by Brandeis to undergraduate students. With the exception of the Brandeis Achievement Award, which is offered only to rising juniors, these scholarships are offered to entering first-year students only. The GPA requirements for renewal of these awards can be found at http://www.brandeis.edu/offices/sfs/finaid/meritrenewal.html. 

Please be advised that many of the below scholarships expire after eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which you were initially offered admission.  If you plan to defer admission to Brandeis, or if you withdraw for one or more semesters, you may forfeit a portion of your scholarship.  Please consult your merit scholarship notification letter for the expiration policy that applies to your particular award.

Annenberg Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to entering first-year students who have distinguished themselves in their studies, and in the breadth of their intellectual pursuits, and have demonstrated personal initiative and commitment to a variety of activities beyond the classroom.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which a recipient was initially offered admission.

Brandeis Achievement Award (for rising juniors only) - Spring 2008 Deadline: February 29th

Applicants for this award must be currently enrolled sophomores who will achieve junior status in the 2008-2009 academic year and who have distinguished themselves in their course of study and made a contribution to the Brandeis community.  Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 (Dean’s List).   (Students currently receiving the Annenberg, Bernstein, Dean’s, Gilbert, Hiatt Challenger Memorial, Justice Brandeis, Malkin, Martin Luther King, Penikoff, Posse, Presidential, Rabb, Seeds of Peace, Slifka, Waltham, or Wien Scholarships are not eligible to apply for this award.)  Applicants must submit a current résumé, two recommendations from Brandeis faculty or administrators, and a one-page personal statement detailing their academic experience at Brandeis.  A maximum of ten awards in the amount of $5,000 per semester will be conferred by the selection committee. 

For deadlines and other information regarding this scholarship, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at sfs@brandeis.edu or (781) 736-3700. 

Leonard Bernstein Scholarship

This scholarship is available to qualified entering first-year violinists, violists, cellists and pianists with chamber music experience. Applicants need not plan to major in music.  This is the only Brandeis scholarship for entering students that involves an application process beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  For information on how to apply for this award, please go to  http://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/financial/Bernstein.html.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.

Brandeis-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship

This scholarship is available to entering first-year students who have attained National Merit Finalist status and have designated Brandeis as their first choice through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).  Recipients of this scholarship are chosen by the NMSC.  The amount of this scholarship ranges from $500 to $2,000, based on financial need.

Hiatt Challenger Memorial Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to one entering first-year student each year who has demonstrated superior academic achievement and evidence of future intellectual growth.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.

Dean's Award

This award is given to entering first-year students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and who have made significant personal contributions to their school communities.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is $15,000 per year and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.

Gilbert Grant

This grant is awarded to one entering first-year student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and who has made significant contributions to his or her school or community.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.

Justice Louis D. Brandeis Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to entering first-year students who demonstrate academic excellence, a contribution to school and community, and the promise of continued growth.  This scholarship is given in honor of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, “The People’s Attorney,” who upheld the rights of individuals and advocated for social justice.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which a recipient was initially offered admission.

Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to entering first-year students on the basis of academic performance and extracurricular participation in secondary school, outstanding community involvement and demonstrated financial need.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to standard tuition, room and board charges and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which a recipient was initially offered admission.

Fannie Penikoff Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one outstanding entering first-year student from the Chicago area. This scholarship was created through a gift from the Fannie Penikoff Charitable Trust to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.

Recipients of this scholarship will be required to provide information about their campus activities to the Office of Donor Relations at Brandeis at least once each year and will also be required to write a letter of thanks to Ms. Donna Kahan, who oversees the Fannie Penikoff Fund at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, twice each year that details the recipient’s campus involvement.   

Presidential Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate unusual academic potential.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is $25,000 per year and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which a recipient was initially offered admission.

Norman S. Rabb Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to entering first-year students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and have made significant contributions to their school or community. There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which a recipient was initially offered admission.

Stroum Family Waltham Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to four top graduating seniors from Waltham High School in Massachusetts.  There is no application for this scholarship beyond the admission application and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.  The amount of this scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable for up to eight continuous semesters of study at Brandeis, beginning with the semester in which the recipient was initially offered admission.