About three-fourths of our families receive some form of assistance. We encourage you to apply for financial aid in an effort to consider the affordability of an Emerson College education. Many resources are available, including merit scholarships awarded by the Office of Admission; and need-based grants, student employment, and student loans overseen by the Office of Financial Aid.

Financial Aid

Financial assistance goes beyond the packages offered to families—it is developing a partnership of guidance and support that will last throughout your time at Emerson.

From clear and easy guidelines to apply for aid, helping families understand the true cost of college, coaching on how to budget, and enhancing financial literacy, the Office of Financial Aid is here to help you succeed at Emerson and serves as a vital resource for students and families.

Merit Scholarships

Upon acceptance, students will automatically be considered for one of our merit scholarships, which vary in value up to full tuition coverage.

Available Merit Scholarships

Aspire Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who are at the top of Emerson’s applicant pool and who have demonstrated a high level of academic distinction as well as qualities such as leadership and a community service-focus. The amount of the Aspire Scholarship ranges between $10,000 - $45,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Trailblazer Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who have set themselves apart within Emerson's applicant pool through demonstrated distinctive academic success as well as qualities such as leadership, creativity, community engagement, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. The amount of the Trailblazer Scholarship is $15,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Visionary Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. The amount of the Visionary Scholarship is $10,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Pioneer Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated strong academic success within their school communities as well as compelling qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. The amount of the Pioneer Scholarship is $8,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Spotlight Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. The amount of the Spotlight Scholarship is $6,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Expression Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant potential for success, at Emerson, both academically and within the community through leadership, community engagement and creative endeavors. The amount of the Expression Scholarship is $5,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Alliance Scholarship

This scholarship is given to incoming students who are enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major and who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. The amount of the Alliance Scholarship is $10,000 annually.

No additional application is required to be considered for this scholarship. The Alliance Scholarship is automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms as a degree-seeking student in the IDS major.

Creative Circle Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship is awarded to applicants accepted into the Emerson Circle of Creative Scholars, who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities and shown leadership, commitment to community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. 

The mission of ECCS is to help students navigate the academic, social, and career development landscape at Emerson as they achieve their personal goals. We will provide students with a holistic, enriching Emerson experience through programmatic support focused on the eight dimensions of wellness: intellectual/academic, financial, occupational, emotional, environmental, physical/health, social, and spiritual. By focusing on these dimensions, Emerson will be ensuring that students will enhance and expand their Emerson experience while demonstrating knowledge and awareness of the tools needed to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Students are required to enroll full-time, participate in ECCS programming and maintain a 3.0 GPA. This award is automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms, and covers full cost of attendance at Emerson. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.

Other Merit Scholarships

There are a variety of other scholarships available through the Office of Undergraduate Admission that can vary year to year. As with most of our merit awards, there is not an application process for these additional scholarships and eligible students will automatically be considered.


Scholarship Opportunities for First-Year Applicants 

Trustees Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship is given to applicants accepted into the Honors Program. Students are required to enroll full-time and maintain a 3.3 GPA (3.0 GPA in the Honors curriculum). It is renewable for up to eight semesters. The amount of the Trustee Scholarship is $30,000 annually.

A separate Honors Program essay must be submitted with your admission application in order to be considered for this scholarship.

Musical Theatre Scholarship

The Musical Theatre Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship offered to an incoming first-year Musical Theatre student who has demonstrated outstanding ability in the performing arts along with evidence of strong academic and leadership potential. The scholarship is provided for up to 4 years. It is currently only available for a first-year student starting in 2024.

Scholarship Opportunities for Transfer Applicants 

Students meeting eligibility requirements for available scholarships will be automatically considered. Please pay close attention to eligibility criteria and established deadlines (if applicable). Students who complete their applications by the March 15 priority deadline will receive admission decisions on a rolling basis beginning in early April and will be considered for our various scholarship opportunities. Emerson offers a variety of transfer scholarships, including:

Scholarships Available to Transfer Applicants

Bunker Hill Community College Scholarship

For students who enter the College in Fall 2024, the amount of the Bunker Hill Community College Scholarship is $30,000 annually. Students must plan to earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from Bunker Hill by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment and students must have a complete transfer application by March 15. Students who meet these qualifications will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Eligible students must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. While enrolled at Emerson, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to continue to receive this scholarship.

Roxbury Community College Scholarship

For students who enter the College in Fall 2024, the amount of the Roxbury Community College Scholarship is $30,000 annually. Students must plan to earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from Roxbury, by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment and students must have a complete transfer application by March 15. Students who meet these qualifications will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Eligible students must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. While enrolled at Emerson, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to continue to receive this scholarship.

Miami Dade College Scholarship

This scholarship, for students transferring from Miami Dade College to Emerson, is a full-tuition award that goes toward the cost of full-time attendance. 

The Miami Dade College Scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment and students must have a complete transfer application by March 15. In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7 from Miami Dade College by the time they matriculate at Emerson. Students who meet these qualifications will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Eligible students must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. While enrolled at Emerson, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to continue to receive this scholarship.

Next Step Emerson Scholarship

For students who enter the College in Fall 2024, the amount of the Next Step Emerson Scholarship is $30,000 annually. Students must plan to earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from a community college by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment and students must have a complete transfer application by March 15. Students who meet these qualifications will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Eligible students must plan to enroll full-time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. While enrolled at Emerson, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to continue to receive this scholarship.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Emerson offers a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for eligible students. To be automatically considered for this $8,000 award, students must apply to Emerson as a transfer student, earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 from an accredited community college, and be an official member in good standing of Phi Theta Kappa. The PTK scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment.

Eligible students for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship must plan to enroll full time at Emerson College and complete their degree in five or fewer semesters. While enrolled at Emerson, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to continue to receive this scholarship.

Private Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid has also gathered a list of private scholarship opportunities for your convenience.

Student Employment

Many in the Emerson community use our numerous student employment opportunities to help fund their education.