Office of Student Financial Services

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Merit Scholarships

Brandeis offers numerous scholarships and scholars programs to students who have shown a capacity to achieve both in and out of the classroom.

Each year, a select group of academically outstanding students receive merit scholarships in recognition of their achievements and future contributions to our classrooms and community.

Scholarships are awarded to first-semester first-year students. Scholarship amounts remain the same throughout your time at Brandeis and are renewable for up to eight semesters, provided you meet renewal requirements.

All applicants to Brandeis are considered for merit scholarships; no additional application is required.

Merit Scholarship Renewal Requirements

The Justice Brandeis Scholarship

The most prestigious scholarship offered by Brandeis, the Justice Brandeis Scholarship recognizes students with outstanding academic records at the top of our applicant pool who will leave a lasting impact on the Brandeis community.

Scholarship Opportunities

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Stroum Family Waltham Scholarship

Community College Transfer Scholarship

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 renewable $500 scholarship are chosen by the NMSC. NMSC begins mailing offers to college-sponsored Merit Scholar designees May 1.

Giumette Academic Achievement Award

The Giumette Academic Achievement Award (GAAA) was developed by the Office of Students and Enrollment, in conjunction with the Student Union and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, as a way to recognize currently enrolled sophomores who have distinguished themselves in their course of study at Brandeis. Formerly known as the Brandeis Academic Achievement Award, the award was renamed in 2015 in honor of Peter Giumette, who served as the Dean of Student Financial Services for over 20 years and who had a deep commitment to increasing access to educational opportunities for first-generation and low-income students.

The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding scholarship and academic achievement as evidenced by grades, faculty recommendations, and personal accomplishment. A maximum of five awards in the amount of $5,000 per semester will be conferred for the junior and senior years. Recipients will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of students, faculty, and staff.

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Tuition Exchange Scholarship

Brandeis University is a member of The Tuition Exchange, a consortium of more than 700 private and public not-for-profit colleges and universities, representing 47 states, the District of Columbia and several other countries that provide tuition assistance to dependents of individuals who work at participating schools.

For more information, please visit our Tuition Exchange site.