Bellarmine's campus in the fall with a trolley and American flag in the background.

Admissions

Here are 15+ ways to attend Bellarmine at no cost

Admissions

When considering a college education, the cost of tuition continues to be a concern for students and families. Bellarmine University is committed to addressing these concerns by alleviating real and perceived barriers to affordability and access. Through a range of initiatives, we ensure that every student can access a high-quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

In fact, there are many ways to attend Bellarmine without paying any tuition at all! You can see a list of those options below.

Even if you do not qualify for one of the full scholarships below, have no fear. Bellarmine prioritizes college affordability through various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Additionally, merit scholarships are available to all admitted traditional first-year and transfer students. The Public Price Promise ensures that qualifying students can receive a private liberal arts education at a cost equivalent to that of their home state’s flagship public university. 

Undergraduate Initiatives

100 Black Men

The 100 Black Men Scholarship Program offers qualified students currently affiliated with the organization an opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship. 

Century Scholars

The Century Scholars Program offers qualified students from the following Louisville-area high schools the opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship: Butler Traditional, Central, Doss, Iroquois, Seneca, The Academy at Shawnee, Waggener, and Western.

Hope Scholars

The Hope Kentucky Scholars Program provides full tuition to Pell-eligible students who are Kentucky residents and graduate from a Kentucky high school.

Noyce Knights Scholars Program 

The Noyce Knights Scholars Program will award Noyce scholarships/stipends to US Citizens, US Nationals, or US Permanent Residents who obtain teaching certification in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics via one of three certification pathways.

The Bellarmine Scholar Award

The Bellarmine Scholar Award recognizes first-year students with a four-year, full-ride scholarship, a study abroad stipend, and enrollment in Bellarmine’s Honors Program. 

The Bellarmine Fellow Award

The Bellarmine Fellow Award provides first-year students four years of full tuition, a study abroad stipend, and enrollment in Bellarmine’s Honors Program. 

The Lincoln Foundation - Whitney M. YOUNG Scholarship Program 

The Lincoln Foundation's Whitney M. Young Scholars Program offers qualified students currently affiliated with the organization an opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship. 

The YMCA Black Achievers Scholarship Program

The YMCA Black Achievers Program offers qualified students currently affiliated with the organization an opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship. 

Transfer-Specific Student Initiatives 

Jefferson-to-Bellarmine 2BU Scholarship

The Jefferson-to-Bellarmine 2BU Scholarship provides a full-tuition scholarship to a high-achieving student enrolled in the 2BU program. 

Graduate Student Initiatives 

Norton Healthcare Scholars Program 

The Norton Healthcare Scholars Program offers $45,000 in funding for registered nursing, and respiratory therapy. Bellarmine provides last-dollar scholarships to cover the remaining cost of tuition, allowing students to complete their degree for less than $3,500 in total out-of-pocket costs.

Baptist Health Nursing Knowledge Program

The Baptist Health Nursing Knowledge Program offers $45,000 in funding for accelerated nursing students. Bellarmine provides last-dollar scholarships to cover the remaining cost of tuition, allowing students to complete their degree for less than $3,500 in total out-of-pocket costs.

CHI Saint Joseph Health 

The Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana and CHI Saint Joseph Health provides scholarships that cover up to the cost of tuition for accelerated nursing students. 

Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offers scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a commitment to serve in underserved communities.

Noyce Knights Scholars Program 

The Noyce Knights Scholars Program will award Noyce scholarships/stipends to US Citizens, US Nationals, or US Permanent Residents who obtain teaching certification in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics via one of three certification pathways.

ROTC

The ROTC programs offer funding opportunities for nursing degrees by providing scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and stipends in exchange for a commitment to serve in the military as a nurse after graduation.

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students pursuing healthcare degrees in various disciplines in exchange for a commitment to serve in VA healthcare facilities after graduation.

Other Affordability Initiatives

While not covering the full cost of tuition, these initiatives can make attending Bellarmine more affordable. 

Tuition Reimbursement

Check with your employer about tuition reimbursement, as they may cover most of the cost of your degree.

OnCourse at BU

Our OnCourse initiative guarantees that students will not have to pay for textbooks or other classroom materials out of their own pocket. Instead, the cost of these materials is covered by available financial aid funds.

Bellarmine is dedicated to prioritizing efforts centered on tuition pricing and financial aid strategies to help make a Bellarmine education as affordable and accessible as possible. Discover additional financial aid resources, including Bellarmine and endowed scholarships and outside scholarships. Questions? Contact Financial Aid by email or by phone at 502.272.7300.

Tags: Admissions , Affordability , Financial Aid

 

ABOUT BELLARMINE

Located in the historic Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation’s best colleges and universities. Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the western world. It is a lifelong education, worthy of the university’s namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live In Veritatis Amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true and good in life.