Scholarships

Annual Award for 2021-22: $42,000

The Powell Scholarship is the university's premier academic merit award, and is designed to cultivate future leaders through mentoring, instruction and service.

For fall 2021, qualified Powell Scholars candidates have:

• A cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 or higher
• Undertaken a rigorous academic curriculum - Honors, AP and/or IB courses
• Demonstrated leadership skills or leadership potential in two or more areas, including but not restricted to student government, community service, cultural groups, research or creative activities, or sports

Students who meet these minimum criteria are encouraged to apply. A select number of finalists will be invited to campus to interview with the Powell Scholars selection committee.

Selected students will compete for up to 10 scholarships awarded annually by the university. Selection will involve a personal interview designed to assess each candidate's potential for intellectual and leadership development, international study, research and creative endeavors, and the ability to make a difference in the world.

Click here to apply for the Powell Scholarship

In addition to the generous scholarship award, Powell Scholars will have special access to research opportunities, study abroad programs, and nationally recognized speakers visiting Pacific. They participate in extensive mentoring and leadership development. Each Powell Scholar will have access to up to $5,000 for research projects and up to $2,500 for international travel.

To view the components of the program and some accomplishments of our Powell Scholars, visit the Powell Scholars Program website.

Students apply for the Powell Scholars Program in their senior year of high school. Students enter the program as college freshmen; upperclassmen and transfer students are not eligible. The Powell Scholars award is renewable each year of your undergraduate studies assuming a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 is maintained. The award may be accompanied by additional need-based financial aid, but not other merit-based scholarships from Pacific (including the President's or Regent's awards). If you are selected for more than one of these scholarships you will receive the most advantageous award.

Given the opportunities in research, fellowships, study abroad, cultural experiences and community service supported by the scholarship, the Powell Scholars Program is designed to coincide with a four-year undergraduate curriculum. Therefore, students who apply for and are offered admission to the Powell Scholars Program AND a Pacific accelerated program must choose either the Powell Scholar Program OR an accelerated program for enrollment by May 1. All Powell Scholars must earn an undergraduate degree.

Powell Scholars Program Key Dates (Fall 2021 Applicants)

Dec. 1, 2020

• Powell Scholars Program application deadline
• FAFSA priority deadline (for best possible financial aid eligibility)

February 2021

• Students selected as finalists will be invited to campus to interview with the Powell Scholars selection committee

Late February 2021

• Powell Scholars Program winners announced
   

May 1, 2021

• First-year student enrollment confirmation deadline
   

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my GPA doesn't meet the minimum?

Students are at a disadvantage if they do not meet the minimum requirements. The average GPA for recipients in the past has considerably exceeded the minimum requirements.

What kinds of leadership skills?

Any kind of leadership is fine, but some are more common than others.

• Common types of leadership experiences: Student government, band leader, camp counselor, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scouts, Eagle Scouts. Note: Students involved in these activities should try to explain the uniqueness of their particular experience. For example, how is it different than all of the other student body presidents?
• Uncommon: Leader/organizer of club of special cause (Save Darfur, breast cancer, etc), founding of a club, exceptional research or creative activity.

Can I receive more than one merit scholarship?

Powell Scholars Program recipients are not eligible for other merit scholarships at Pacific (specifically, the Regent's, President's, Provost's, Dean's or Pacific). Other need-based financial aid is permitted.

What GPA is required to renew my Powell Scholars Program award?

At the end of the academic year (spring term) Satisfactory Academic Progress is assessed for all students. If a Powell Scholar fails to attain the minimum cumulative GPA required for renewal, the scholarship will be withdrawn. 3.3 is the minimum GPA for renewal.

If I'm below the required GPA standard after spring term and not eligible to renew my Powell Scholars Program award, how can I regain my eligibility?

Students may regain their scholarship at any time during their four years once their GPA meets the required standard.

• Use of Summer Courses: A student who does not meet the appropriate GPA standards after the spring semester may take summer courses at Pacific to improve their GPA. If the GPA for summer raises their GPA above the required standards, they may request the scholarship to be reinstated for fall semester.
• After Fall Semester: A student may also regain eligibility at the end of the fall term if their cumulative GPA is above the requirement after fall grades are posted. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office and request reinstatement.

2020-21 Total = $24,000 (annual) / $96,000 (four-year value)

• Regent's Scholarships are awarded to exceptional high school seniors who are accepted for admission as undergraduates.
• You don't have to file the FAFSA to be considered and there is no separate scholarship application.
• Regent's Scholarships are determined holistically, with factors such as high school attended, curriculum rigor, commitment, extracurricular activities and obligations, leadership, and demonstrated interest all being factors. 

Renewal Requirements

• Retaining your scholarship requires maintaining full-time enrollment at Pacific in a bachelor's or pre-professional program and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of your degree.  
• Freshman Academic Merit scholarships can be renewed for full-time enrollment in a bachelor's degree program for up to a total of four years (eight semesters) of scholarship support or for up to five years (ten semesters) for engineering students. 
• Scholarships can only be applied to undergraduate coursework and cannot be applied to professional coursework in pharmacy, dentistry, or law.

For more information on this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

2020-21 Total = $20,000 (annual) / $80,000 (four-year value)

• President's Scholarships are awarded to exceptional high school seniors who are accepted for admission as undergraduates.
• You don't have to file the FAFSA to be considered and there is no separate scholarship application.
• President's Scholarships are determined holistically, with factors such as high school attended, curriculum rigor, extracurricular activities, leadership, and demonstrated interest all being factors.

Renewal Requirements

• Retaining your scholarship requires maintaining full-time enrollment at Pacific in a bachelor's or pre-professional program and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of your degree.  
• Freshman Academic Merit scholarships can be renewed for full-time enrollment in a bachelor's degree program for up to a total of four years (eight semesters) of scholarship support or for up to five years (ten semesters) for engineering students.
• Scholarships can only be applied to undergraduate coursework and cannot be applied to professional coursework in pharmacy, dentistry, or law.

For more information on this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu

2020-21 Total = $16,000 (annual) / $64,000 (four-year value)

• Provost's Scholarships are awarded to high achieving high school seniors who apply to University of the Pacific.
• You don't have to file the FAFSA to be considered and there is no separate scholarship application.
• Provost's Scholarships are determined holistically, with factors such as high school attended, curriculum rigor, extracurricular activities, leadership, and demonstrated interest all being factors.

Renewal Requirements

• Retaining your scholarship requires maintaining full-time enrollment at Pacific in a bachelor's or pre-professional program and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of your degree.  
• Freshman Academic Merit Scholarships can be renewed for full-time enrollment in a bachelor's degree program for up to a total of four years (eight semesters) of scholarship support or for up to five years (ten semesters) for engineering students.
• These scholarships can only be applied to undergraduate coursework and therefore, cannot be applied to professional coursework of pharmacy, dentistry, or law.

For more information on this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

2020-21 Total = $12,000 (annual) / $48,000 (four-year value)

• Pacific Scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors who are accepted for admission as undergraduates.
• You don't have to file the FAFSA to be considered and there is no separate scholarship application.
• Pacific Scholarships are determined holistically, with factors such as high school attended, curriculum rigor, extracurricular activities, leadership, and demonstrated interest all being factors.

Renewal Requirements

• Retaining your scholarship requires maintaining full-time enrollment at Pacific in a bachelor's or pre-professional program and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of your degree.  
• Freshman Academic Merit scholarships can be renewed for full-time enrollment in a bachelor's degree program for up to a total of four years (eight semesters) of scholarship support or for up to five years (ten semesters) for engineering students. 
• Scholarships can only be applied to undergraduate coursework and cannot be applied to professional coursework of pharmacy, dentistry, or law.

For more information on this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

2020-21 Total =  $18,000 (annual) / $36,000 (two-year value)

• 3.50 GPA and above
• Awarded to academically distinguished incoming transfer students who are accepted for admission as undergraduates.
• You do not have to file the FAFSA to be considered for this scholarship and there is no separate application to be completed.
• Academic Distinguished Scholarships can only be used for tuition.

For more information regarding this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

2020-21 Total = $16,000 (annual) / $32,000 (two-year value)

• 3.0-3.49 GPA 
• Awarded to academically excellent incoming transfer students who are accepted for admission as undergraduates.
• You do not have to file the FAFSA to be considered for this scholarship, and there is no separate application to be completed.
• Academic Excellence Scholarships can only be used for tuition.

For more information regarding this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

2020-21 Total = $14,000 (annual) / $28,000 (two-year value)

• 2.8-2.99 GPA 
• Academic Merit Scholarships are awarded to academically exceptional transfer students who are accepted for admission as undergraduates. 
• You do not have to file the FAFSA to be considered for an Academic Merit Scholarship and there is no separate application to be completed. 
• Academic Merit Scholarships can only be used for tuition.

For more information regarding this scholarship, please contact a member of our financial aid counseling team at 209.946.2421 or financialaid@pacific.edu.

Eligibility for the $15,000 International Student Merit Scholarship is limited to International students who graduated from a high school that is located outside of the United States. To be considered for this scholarship, please submit an application for admission and all supporting items. You will be notified of your eligibility upon admission.

Benerd College awards scholarships to deserving and meritorious students each year. These scholarships often represent a family or organization's wish to honor the legacy of the life of a loved one or a colleague's work, or to fulfill their wish to contribute in a meaningful way to their community.

Pacific provides a 50% match for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

Graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans, Grad PLUS loans and private (alternative) loans. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 4 units to be considered for this type of financial assistance.

Under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, those who teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency and meet other qualifications may be eligible for forgiveness of up to $17,500 on their Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans.

Pacific offers scholarships to outstanding athletes who wish to play for one of our 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate teams.

While some players are offered "full" athletic scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition and room and board (i.e. housing and food), other student-athletes receive athletics scholarships that may cover only room and board, or only tuition, or only a portion of tuition. 

It is important to realize that every not player on an athletic team is awarded an athletic scholarship and that other forms of financial aid (i.e. merit scholarships, grants and loans) may be offered in combination with athletic aid.

Receiving an Athletic Scholarship

• For more information on athletic scholarships, contact the coach of your sport. Visit the Athletics website for a list of coaches.
• Coaches have the final decision on which student-athletes receive athletic scholarships.

The Bishops Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen and transfer students who are active members of any United Methodist Church. Students must demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to the church.

The Community Involvement Program (CIP) was established in 1969 as a comprehensive, need-based scholarship and retention program for first-generation college students from the Stockton community, promoting the values of equity, social justice, self-knowledge, personal empowerment, collaboration, citizenship, and service as developmental paradigms. Since its inception more than 1000 students have graduated from Pacific and the Community Involvement Program. For information about the CIP Scholarship application process, please contact the program at cip@pacific.edu. 

The MESA program encourages high school or community college MESA students to enroll in engineering, mathematics and science programs at University of the Pacific. MESA students who have unmet need based on the FAFSA will be considered for an annually renewable $1,000 MESA Scholarship. 

To be eligible for this program, you must:

• Have participated in any high school or community college MESA Program for at least one year before entering University of the Pacific.
• Be admitted to the university with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
• Major in engineering, mathematics or a science-related field.
• Meet university academic requirements, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of your degree.
• Not have previously received a bachelor's degree.

For more details and to apply, download the MESA Scholarship application. For more information, email MESA Director Elana Peach-Fine at epeachfine@pacific.edu, or call or text her at 530.768.7227.

The generosity and support of many donors enables the university to offer a range of endowed scholarships to eligible students.

We’re excited to again offer our scholarship application portal, Tiger Scholarships, for the 2021-2022 academic year. There are more than 70 scholarships available, many of which can fund multiple recipients. By completing your application, you will be matched to available scholarship opportunities offered by the university.

Endowed scholarships are offered by various colleges and departments to continuing undergraduate and graduate students who meet specific criteria. Typically, students must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in classes completed at Pacific to be considered for any scholarship assistance. Due to the exceptional qualifications of the students who apply, consideration for many scholarship opportunities will be limited to those students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above by the end of the fall 2020 semester.

Students who first enroll after the fall 2020 semester are not eligible to apply for endowed scholarships until the fall 2021 semester.

University of the Pacific is pleased to connect you with scholarships to help fund your education and achieve your goals. The Tiger Scholarships portal for the 2021-2022 academic year will be open from Oct. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020. Scholarships will be awarded beginning in May 2021, with a goal of notifying all recipients by the due date for the fall semester 2021 invoice.