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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Smart Value. High Reward.

We know the financial part of the college equation can be intimidating. Our financial aid counselors will guide you through the process, discuss your family’s specific circumstances, and identify merit and need-based aid to help you pay for college. Our aid program is so comprehensive that it’s made us a leader amongst similar private colleges.

We assign all students (current and prospective) a financial aid counselor who sticks with them throughout their time at Etown to ensure that every student's financial needs are addressed.

Apply to Elizabethtown College
student working with counselor

Changes to the FAFSA

Filing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has changed. View our FAFSA Simplification page for more information.

Financial Aid Timeline


Please note that this timeline only applies to traditional undergraduate students. Additional information for students enrolled in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies can be found here.

  • December 2023
    The 2024-2025 FAFSA application available online at: studentaid.gov.
  • March
    Begin notifying New Accepted FAFSA filers of financial aid eligibility.
    The Parent PLUS loan application estimated to be available online at: studentaid.gov.
    March 15th priority deadline for FAFSA submission for new and returning students.
  • May
    The Financial Aid Office will review Satisfactory Academic Progress for all returning students.
    Next Steps instructions mailed to Deposited New students.
  • June
    Returning students may log in to the Student Aid Portal to view and accept/decline financial aid awards or complete requirements.
    Welcome new Blue Jays! Attend Summer Orientation to learn more about the Elizabethtown College community.
  • June - August
    Complete and submit all outstanding financial aid forms as soon as possible.
  • August 1
    Fall semester bill due date. Contact the Business Office or Financial Aid with questions or concerns.
  • August 19
    Classes begin for the fall semester.

Tuition Exchange

Elizabethtown College participates in two tuition exchange programs through Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC-TEP). For full consideration, student applicants must submit a completed application (Common Application or Elizabethtown College application) for admission and be accepted to the College no later than January 15. The eligible employee must also coordinate with the tuition exchange liaison at their home institution to complete necessary paperwork so that a TE and/or CIC-TEP application is submitted for the student no later than January 15. Students can apply for both the TE and CIC-TEP Scholarship if their parent works at an institution that participates in both programs.

Tuition exchange scholarships are very competitive and decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in early-to-mid February.  The value of both scholarships is full-tuition.  An offer of tuition exchange is available for up to 8 full-time semesters provided the student makes satisfactory academic progress and remains in good social standing.  Eligible transfer students and current Elizabethtown College students are invited to apply; online and graduate students are not eligible to apply. 

Please contact Gretchen Camp, Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer, at  campg@etown.edu  or 717-361-1164 for more information.

Institutional Scholarships and Grants

While this is not a comprehensive list of the scholarships and grants the Etown offers, it provides a general overview of the many ways students can expand their college education and the resources the College offers to help them achieve that goal.

The Bonner Leader program at Elizabethtown College provides student participants with dynamic and meaningful opportunities to develop and expand their commitment to service, leadership qualities, civic engagement, and social justice.   View more information about the Bonner Scholarship .

The Stamps Scholars Program recognizes and rewards exceptional students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, overcoming obstacles and innovation. Stamps Scholars receive an award meeting 100% of the total cost of tuition plus access to an enrichment fund which can be used for study abroad, internship support, community/civic engagement opportunities and other qualified educational activities. This prestigious scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters. Students must submit a completed application to Elizabethtown College by January 15 to be eligible for this scholarship; interviews are encouraged. More information about  Stamps Scholarship .

Mosaic Award winners have a demonstrated commitment to valuing and fostering the diversity reflected in their community and in the bigger world beyond. They have sought opportunities to both seek and provide perspective in conversations and activity related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, age, and national origin. Elizabethtown expects Mosaic Award winners to continue to contribute in similar ways during their time on campus. All accepted students are considered for the Mosaic Award. More information about the  Mosaic Award .

Merit-based scholarships are automatically awarded to students based on their high school academic achievements and test scores. Students awarded Elizabethtown College scholarships must remain full-time students in good academic and social standing in order to be eligible for annual renewal of the scholarships. These scholarships are not transferable to the summer sessions and are available for eight semesters (10 semesters for 4+1 Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree students, 12 semesters for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, 8 semesters for the accelerated 5-year Physician Assistant Program). This money is an outright scholarship to the student and does not have to be repaid. Aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

  • Excelsior Scholarship: Excelsior scholarships are reserved for students that demonstrate the highest academic marks. Candidates for this award rank in the top of their high school class with a 3.9 GPA, have taken the most challenging of curriculum's, and have made positive contributions within their school and communities. Decisions for merit scholarships will be reviewed with or without standardized test scores.
  • Presidential Scholarships: Presidential scholarships are offered to academically superior entering first-year students. Strong candidates for this award rank in the top percentages of their high school class, have taken a challenging curriculum, and demonstrated leadership citizenship and extracurricular achievement. Decisions for merit scholarships will be reviewed with or without standardized tests scores.
  • Founders Scholarships: Founders scholarships are offered to academically superior students. Strong candidates for this award rank in the top 10-percent of their high school class, have taken a challenging curriculum, demonstrated leadership, citizenship, and extracurricular achievement. Decisions for merit scholarships will be reviewed with or without standardized tests scores.
  • Deans Scholarships: Deans scholarships are offered to a select group of incoming student whose high school curriculum is challenging, academic record is excellent, demonstrated leadership and service backgrounds, and who are likely to contribute to the Elizabethtown College community in significant ways. Decisions for merit scholarships will be reviewed with or without standardized tests scores.

At Elizabethtown College, relationships are important. Relationships that develop between students, faculty, staff, and alumni are a large part of what makes the College distinct. Elizabethtown recognizes the relationship legacy students have with our community by awarding a Legacy Scholarships to accepted students who are children or grandchildren of Elizabethtown alumni. This scholarship is renewable for up to a total of four year (8 regular consecutive semesters), provided the student remains in good academic standing and has a favorable disciplinary record as defined by the  Student Handbook .

These grants are available to students who demonstrate financial need. A student must apply annually to be considered for this grant. This money is an outright grant to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. The receipt of additional institutional awards/aid, outside scholarships/aid or a change in residential status may impact this amount. The Trustee grant may be swapped dollar-for-dollar for a named endowed scholarship.

These awards are available to students who are active members of the Church of the Brethren when they are admitted to the College. This money is an outright award to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

These scholarships are awarded to first-year and transfer students who are outstanding performing musicians who meet the challenges of Elizabethtown's academic environment. Scholarships are open to music and non-music majors. Awards are renewable for four years. Scholarship winners must participate in a College music ensemble identified by the College and take private music lessons for credit in their primary performing areas to maintain their scholarships. Students must receive "pass" grades in the ensembles and no less than "B-" in the lessons to remain eligible for the scholarship.  Music Scholarship Auditions and Information.

Elizabethtown College offers dozens of endowed scholarships, each with different requirements. These could be based on major, year of study or interest.

Transfer students are eligible for all merit-based scholarships (with the exception of the Stamps Scholarship) and may also qualify for the renewable Transfer Scholarship. Additionally, members of PTK can apply for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, which provides an additional $1,000 per academic year.

Contact Lily Nardozzi, Coordinator of Transfer Recruitment or at 717-361-1162 for more information or information regarding your eligibility for specific scholarships.

Beginning in 2022, this renewable scholarship is awarded to all new, full-time transfer students who enroll through the traditional day program. No separate application is required. Contact Lily Nardozzi, Coordinator of Transfer Recruitment or at 717-361-1162 for more information.

Qualified International Students are eligible for an Elizabethtown College International Student Scholarship for their four years at the College. To learn more about this opportunity, contact  the Office of International Students.

These scholarships are awarded to incoming students who reside outside of the state of Pennsylvania. The award is renewable for four years (8 regular consecutive semesters).

Elizabethtown College is an NCAA Division III institution. NCAA Division III rules prohibit the awarding of financial aid and/or scholarship based on athletic criteria. Therefore, the College is prohibited from awarding financial aid and/or scholarships based upon athletic ability, leadership, participation or performance.

All forms and questions can be directed to:

Office of Admissions Elizabethtown College

One Alpha Drive

Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

 

Phone - (717) 361-1400

FAX - (717) 361-1365

Email - apply@etown.edu

Elizabethtown College