Bellarmine University is unveiling Public Price Promise, a unique merit scholarship to attract students from across the U.S.
Starting fall 2021, Bellarmine will match the direct cost of qualifying students’ state flagship university – that’s often a state’s largest, oldest public university. For example, for students in Kentucky, Bellarmine will
match University of Kentucky’s tuition, fees, room and board. The Public Price Promise typically reduces the cost of attending Bellarmine by as much as half.
The scholarship is like few others in the country. It allows students to receive Bellarmine’s distinctive private, liberal arts education within a small, close-knit community for the same price as attending a large state school.
The new scholarship is in keeping with Bellarmine’s strategic plan, unveiled last year, which prioritizes finding innovative ways to make Bellarmine accessible to students of all backgrounds. The plan also calls for the university to expand its
growing geographic reach and diversify enrollment. Bellarmine’s current first-year class hails from 23 states and three nations.
“Our mission is to make our top-ranked education accessible to everyone, no matter where they’re from or their financial situation,” said Dr. Michael Marshall, Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication at Bellarmine.
“We don’t want cost to inhibit students who may prefer Bellarmine’s brand of academic excellence and graduate success in a relationship-rich environment.”
Students in Kentucky, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territories will pay University of Kentucky costs, which equal $26,000 for the fall 2021 incoming class.
To qualify, students must enroll as a traditional first-year college student, hold a 3.6 unweighted high school GPA and reside on campus all four years.
Students may still receive additional grants, work-study and loans through need-based government programs. They may also apply outside scholarship awards. Students who don’t meet qualifications for the Public Price Promise are still eligible for
other
Bellarmine scholarships and grants. Every admitted student receives some
form of institutional aid. The average total award is $28,000.
About Bellarmine University: Bellarmine (Louisville, Ky.) is an inclusive independent Catholic university with a strong liberal arts focus that educates students in mind, body and spirit for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical
leadership and service to improve the human condition. Founded in 1950, Bellarmine offers more than 60 majors with an undergraduate and graduate enrollment of nearly 3,500 students and has an alumni community of more than 25,000. The Bellarmine Knights
field teams in 22 Division I sports, most in the ASUN Conference. Bellarmine is listed as a top U.S. university by publications including The Princeton Review, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report.
