Honors Scholarships

The Bellarmine Scholar Award

The Bellarmine Scholar Award recognizes first-year students with a four-year, full-ride scholarship. In addition, this award comes with a study abroad stipend and enrollment in Bellarmine’s Honors Program, a community of excellence that provides students with opportunities in and outside of the classroom to achieve at the highest possible level while forming lifelong friendships with others who share their love of learning.

The Bellarmine Fellow Award

The Bellarmine Fellow Award provides first-year students with four years of full tuition. In addition, this award comes with a study abroad stipend and enrollment in Bellarmine’s Honors Program, a community of excellence that provides students with opportunities in and outside of the classroom to achieve at the highest possible level while forming lifelong friendships with others who share their love of learning.

The Application Process

To apply you will need to submit the following items:

1. Choose one of these values listed below, and then upload evidence of something you did that exemplifies this value. The example you upload can be something you did for school—e.g., a traditional paper or project for a class—but please feel free to be creative, and to include something you did outside of school that illustrates the kind of person you are and what you would bring to our community.  Your example could be all or part of a website, a video, a work of written or visual art, a photograph of something you made or of an experience you had, etc. Basically, if you are proud of it and you believe it represents you at your best, we’d love to see it.
2. After you upload your example, please compose a brief reflection (between 500-750 words) telling us what your example illustrates about you. Why did you choose this example, and how does it speak to one of the core values described below?
3. Resume
4. Letter of Recommendation

Honors Program's Core Values

Curiosity

We approach the world with wonder and an openness toward other perspectives, raising questions rather than settling for easy answers. We expect to be surprised by what we learn, and believe learning is a lifelong process that is inspired by but does not end with our work in the classroom.

Challenge

We challenge ourselves to take intellectual and creative risks, to make new and meaningful contributions to the shared pursuit of knowledge while remaining humble about all we have yet to learn.

Excellence

We aspire to be our best possible selves in all that we do, going beyond what is required and holding ourselves to the highest standards of achievement and integrity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We see equity, inclusion, and respect for the intrinsic dignity of every individual as essential to true excellence, and understand that we are strengthened as a community by a diversity of people and perspectives.

Community Engagement

We strive to use our talents for the greater good, recognizing the advantages we have been given and the responsibility that comes with those advantages to make others’ lives better and build a more just society. We understand that true partnerships are mutual and reciprocal, and that our understanding is enhanced by the knowledge, expertise, and experience of our community partners.

Global-Mindedness

We seek to become global citizens of our increasingly interconnected world, to embrace opportunities to learn from those different from us and to examine critically our own assumptions and biases.

In addition to your essay, please be sure to submit a detailed and thorough letter of recommendation from a Guidance Counselor or teacher. Please also be sure to submit your resume highlighting your service, extracurricular activities, honors, distinctions, and awards.

You will have the option to apply test optional for the Bellarmine Scholar and Bellarmine Fellow awards. Your application will receive full consideration and will be reviewed holistically.

Timeline

Students selected to participate in the scholarship competition will be notified by January 10, 2025. The competition will be held February 7 and 8, 2025. 

Competition

Bellarmine Scholars and Bellarmine Fellows recipients are selected based on a rigorous weekend competition. The competition will include a faculty interview, writing sample session, and roundtable discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear?

Because the competition includes professional interviews, we encourage students to dress anywhere from business casual to business professional. A good rule is to wear what you would to a job interview.

Who selects the winners?

A council of faculty members from different departments and programs will interview students, lead the roundtable discussions, evaluate the writing samples, and determine the recipients of the award.

Can international students compete for the Honors Scholarships?

Yes, international students are indeed eligible to apply for our Honors scholarships. Interested students must complete the standard application form online. Undergraduate applicants who have attended secondary, and post-secondary schools, colleges, universities, or professional institutions outside the United States must submit their academic records to SpanTran or World Education Services, Inc. (WES) for a course-by-course evaluation. International students must also submit documented evidence of English language proficiency. This can be met through testing (TOEFL, MELAB, Duolingo English Test, ACT, SAT), language training at an approved center, or prior educational experiences in TOEFL Exempt Countries. Additionally, international students must submit a bank statement or letter of commitment demonstrating the ability to fund the cost of attending Bellarmine University for one academic year and at least one letter of recommendation from a prior teacher, professional academic counselor, or another individual whose professional standing is appropriate to access the student’s ability to succeed in college and who is aware of the student’s language skills.

Who do I contact with additional questions?

With questions about the scholarship, please contact honors@bellarmine.edu.

With questions about the competition, please contact Hailee Golden, Student Recruitment and Admission Officer, at hbray@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.8351

Submit Your Application