Scholarships & Grants

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  • Providing Access to a Private Education at an Affordable Cost

    Millikin University awards more than $50.8 million annually in scholarships and aid. Scholarships and grants are financial aid awards that do not have to be paid back. Scholarships are often based on academic achievement or talent, or financial need, and deadlines and requirements vary. Students must first submit the Millikin application for admission and be accepted before applying for scholarships.

  • Merit Scholarship

    ALL first-year and transfer students who submit an application and are admitted to Millikin will receive an academic Merit Scholarship. Merit Scholarships are renewable for four years (up to eight semesters) of study and may be combined with other University aid. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and requires full-time enrollment. In order to retain this scholarship each year, students must remain in good standing and make satisfactory progress toward their degree in accordance with University policies.

    Full-Tuition Presidential Scholarship

    The Presidential Scholarship is a prestigious, full-tuition scholarship for first-year and transfer students, renewable for up to four years. This award is for the best of the best. Presidential Scholars are leaders in Millikin's Honors Program.

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    Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program

    The Long-Vanderburg Scholarship totals $20,000 and recognizes high scholastic achievement among those students who have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, leadership and community service. Students receive 

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    Leighty Science Scholars Program

    The Leighty Science Scholarship totals $10,000 and is designated for high-achieving biology, chemistry, engineering science, physics and pre-engineering students and includes graduate-level research opportunities and a summer stipend.

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    College of Fine Arts Scholarship

    College of Fine Arts Scholarships total up to $20,000 and are awarded to students who are pursuing studies within the College of Fine Arts who show significant promise of contribution in the arts. Scholarships are determined after completion of an audition, interview or portfolio review. To retain the award, the student must remain involved in the program for which the scholarship was awarded.

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    Additional Scholarships

  • Students who are carrying on the Millikin tradition in their family (sibling, parent, grandparent or great-grandparent) are eligible to apply for a $1,000 Alumni Scholarship, renewable for four years. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain enrolled on a full-time basis for scholarship renewal.

    Students must first submit their application for admission to Millikin University and receive an acceptance packet before they can apply for scholarships. Admitted students can access the application through their VIP page.

    Scholarship for: Transfer, Freshman

    Amount: $4,000 ($1,000/year)

    Deadline: Rolling

  • Through the generosity of Caterpillar Inc., Millikin University offers a limited number of $2,500 scholarships to new and current students, renewable for up to four years. Preference is given to dependents of Caterpillar employees. If funding allows, students majoring in business, who live in the Decatur geographic area, who have demonstrated a financial need and a high potential for academic success, may be considered. FAFSA and new application is required each year.

    New students: You must first submit your application for admission to Millikin University and receive an acceptance packet before you can apply for scholarships.

    Click here to apply for the Scholarship

    Scholarship for: Transfer, Freshman

    Amount: Up to $10,000 ($2,500/year)

    Deadline: January 15

  • This $2,000 scholarship supports students who have excelled academically at his/her community college. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework and generally have a 3.5 transfer GPA. Evidence of Phi Theta Kappa membership required.

    Amount: $2,000 annually

    Deadline: Rolling 

  • Millikin University recognizes the commitment many families make in sending multiple children to college at the same time. The Sibling Scholarship provides $1,000 annually to eligible students with a sibling concurrently enrolled at Millikin.

    Students must first submit their application for admission to Millikin University and receive an acceptance packet before they can apply for scholarships. Admitted students can access the application through their VIP page.

    Scholarship for: Transfer, Freshman

    Amount: $4,000 ($1,000/year)

    Deadline: Rolling

  • The Thomas S. Sly Scholarship is an annual endowed scholarship award for Millikin University first-year Exploratory Studies (undecided) students who have not yet declared a major. The Sly Scholarship was established to honor alum Tom Sly, Class of 1943, who understood all of the academic opportunities that Millikin provides to students with a broad range of interests, even before they declare a major. 

    Students must first submit their application for admission to Millikin University by December 15, and receive an acceptance packet, before they can apply for scholarships. Admitted students can access the application through their VIP page

    Scholarship for: Freshman

    Amount: Varies

    Deadline: January 15

  • *Our scholarship program offerings have been updated as of October 2023 and are effective for students entering Fall 2024