Merit-Based Scholarships

All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships; no additional application or essay is required unless noted. All recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA unless otherwise specified.

Available to All Undergraduate Applicants

Aspire Scholarship

  • Awarded to students at the top of Emerson’s applicant pool demonstrating exceptional academic distinction and leadership. Value: $5,000–$22,500 per semester.

Trailblazer Scholarship

  • Awarded to students who have distinguished themselves through outstanding academic success, creativity, and community engagement. Value: $7,500 per semester.

Visionary Scholarship

  • Awarded to students demonstrating significant academic success and leadership. Value: $5,000 per semester.

Spotlight Scholarship

  • Awarded to students demonstrating solid academic success and community engagement. Value: $3,000 per semester.

Alliance Scholarship

  • Awarded to incoming Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) students demonstrating academic success and community engagement. Value: $5,000 per semester.

Pioneer Scholarship

  • Awarded to students demonstrating strong academic success and compelling qualities including leadership and community engagement. Value varies.

Expression Scholarship

  • Awarded to students demonstrating significant potential for academic and community success through creative endeavors. Value: $2,500 per semester.

Available to First-Year Applicants Only

Trustees Scholarship

  • Awarded to students accepted into the Honors Program. Requires submission of the Honors essay. Value: $15,000 per semester. Requires 3.3 GPA (3.0 in Honors courses).

Musical Theatre Scholarship

  • Covers tuition, fees, and room and board for up to four years. Awarded to one incoming Musical Theatre student demonstrating outstanding performing arts ability and academic potential.

Creative Circle Scholarship

  • Awarded to students accepted into the Emerson Circle of Creative Scholars (ECCS). Covers tuition, fees, and room and board, renewable for up to eight semesters. Requires full-time enrollment, 3.0 GPA, and participation in ECCS programming.

Available to First-Year Global BFA Applicants Only

Global BFA Pioneer Scholarship

  • Strong academic success and community engagement. Value: $4,000 per semester.

Global BFA Expression Scholarship

  • Significant potential through creativity and community engagement. Value: $2,500 per semester.

Global BFA Trailblazer Scholarship

  • Outstanding academic success, creativity, and community engagement. Value: $7,500 per semester.

Available to Transfer Applicants Only

Miami Dade College Scholarship

  • For MDC graduates with a 3.7+ GPA associate’s degree. Covers full tuition. Fall enrollment only; priority deadline applies. Requires 3.0 GPA for renewal.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (beginning Fall 2026)

  • For PTK members in good standing with a 3.7+ GPA associate’s degree. Covers full tuition. Fall enrollment only; priority deadline applies.

Commonwealth Transfer Scholarship (beginning Fall 2026)

  • For Massachusetts community college graduates with a 3.0+ GPA. Value: $40,000/year ($20,000/semester). Fall or spring enrollment.

Next Chapter Scholarship (beginning Fall 2026)

  • For out-of-state community college graduates with a 3.0+ GPA. Value: $30,000/year ($15,000/semester). Fall or spring enrollment.