Scholarships & Grants
Notre Dame Scholarships
All students accepted for admission who have completed the financial aid process are automatically considered for all University need-based scholarship programs.
Maximum Timeframe
University scholarship consideration is given for a maximum of eight semesters (10 semesters for the architecture program and approved five-year engineering program). Students who elect to remain at Notre Dame to pursue a second major or degree are not eligible for University scholarship consideration beyond these time frames.
Notre Dame Club Scholarships
Approximately 150 Notre Dame clubs offer scholarships from their respective geographic areas. All applicants for financial aid are considered for club scholarships. Students will be advised by participating clubs if any additional steps (e.g., interview, essay) might be required by the local club. Similar to Notre Dame scholarships, club scholarships are given based on demonstrated financial need.
Private Scholarships
Many private organizations provide scholarships to Notre Dame students. Students can find scholarship information by contacting civic, professional, religious, and other community organizations. Valuable resources for scholarship searches include College Board's Scholarship Search, FinAid, and BestColleges. It is important to be cautious with fee-based scholarship search services.
Inform Notre Dame of Private Scholarship Awards
Since Notre Dame meets your full demonstrated financial need, any external funds not listed in the initial Financial Aid Offer may require adjustments to your financial aid package. To ensure accuracy, students must report any external scholarships or grants to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as they are notified of the award.
To inform us of an external scholarship or grant, email finaid@nd.edu and include:
- Name of the award
- Amount
- Whether or not it is renewable
If you receive a check directly from a private organization, endorse it and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid.
If needed, a revised Financial Aid Offer will be sent to reflect the additional assistance and any adjustments. For transcripts or enrollment verification, request these from the Office of the Registrar.
Financial aid adjustments may involve reducing or eliminating the following:
- Federal Work-Study or Campus Employment
- University Scholarship (e.g., University Scholarship, SEO Grant)
Adjustments Example
Scenario 1
| Aid Type | Initial Offer | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| University Scholarship | $17,000 | $17,000 |
| Work Study | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Outside Scholarship | $1,000 | |
| Total | $20,000 | $20,000 |
Scenario 2
| Aid Type | Initial Offer | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| University Scholarship | $80,000 | $79,000 |
| Work Study | $1,000 | $0 |
| Outside Scholarship | $2,000 | |
| Total | $81,000 | $81,000 |
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant offered to eligible undergraduate students. In the 2026-2027 academic year, the amount of the Pell Grant ranges from $740 to $7,395.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The SEOG assists students demonstrating exceptional financial need in accordance with guidelines and funding allocations established by the Department of Education and the Office of Financial Aid. SEO Grants range from $100 to $4,000 annually.
State-Sponsored Scholarships and Grants
Residents from states including Indiana and Vermont may be eligible for scholarship/grant assistance from their home state scholarship/grant programs. Students must obtain information and application procedures directly from their state scholarship agency.
Resident Assistants (RAs)
The grant that resident assistants receive to cover housing and food must be considered a resource in their financial assistance.
Some important notes about the effects of being an RA on financial aid include:
- University-based scholarships typically will not be affected; however, the total value of the student’s scholarship and other financial aid cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance.
- The room and meals scholarship that RAs receive (worth $18,992 in 2026-2027) could affect federal student loan eligibility.
Taxability of Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and grants that exceed a certain amount may be subject to taxation by the Internal Revenue Service (federal and state). If the student's scholarships and grants exceed tuition, fees, and the cost of books for the calendar year, the excess may be taxable income. This income should be reported on the student's personal tax return.
Please note that loans are not counted in this calculation. The Office of Financial Aid is not in a position to advise you on this matter. We suggest you reference IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education and/or speak with a tax advisor.