2024-25 Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships are offered to eligible students and are renewed each year according to established requirements. Final scholarships are coordinated with other federal, state, and Defiance College sponsored awards and may be influenced by the student's on-campus or commuter status.

What's the difference between scholarships and grants?
Scholarships tend to be awarded based on merit, whereas grants tend to be awarded based on financial need.

All awards are based on full time enrollment and are listed annual year amounts.

Apply to DC online now!


Academic Scholarships

Students are calculated individually based on a combination of GPA and ACT or SAT scores to determine eligibility for Dean’s, Pilgrim, Trustee, and Achievement Scholarships. Students who are not in nursing, biology, or education majors have the option as being calculated test optional which will look at a student's GPA to calculate eligibility.

For Students Entering Defiance College in Fall 2024

Dean's Scholarship, $13,000
Pilgrim Scholarship, $12,000
Trustee Scholarship, $9,000
Achievement Scholarship, $6,000


Transfer Scholarship, $6,000 - $13,000

Awarded to accepted full-time transfer students based on academic performance at all previously-attended colleges/universities.


Service Leadership Scholarship, $1,500*

New students with a demonstrated record of service in their communities are eligible. The Service Leadership program offers Defiance College students unique and meaningful programs to develop leadership skills that will strengthen their individual career interests and can include travel opportunities.

  • Service Leadership applications are due March 1.
  • Any applications after this date will be placed on a waiting list.

* May not be combined with athletic scholarship

More Information  |  Award Application


Alumni Legacy Grant, $1,000*

Awarded annually to dependents of DC alumni demonstrating financial need. If your parent attended or graduated from Defiance College, please contact the Financial Aid office at 419-783-2364 or  financialaid@defiance.edu.
* May not be combined with athletic scholarship

Award Application


TEACH Grant

The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant program provides aid to an undergraduate student who agrees to serve for at least four years as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The award amount is $3,772 for grants first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2021.

A TEACH Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires the student to agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant, and if the student doesn’t complete the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that must repaid, with interest.

For more information click here, or contact the Financial Aid office at 419-783-2364 or financialaid@defiance.edu.


United Church of Christ (UCC) Grant, $500*

Awarded annually to active members of a UCC church and demonstrating financial need. Verification from a church official may be required.

* May not be combined with athletic scholarship

Award Application


Apply for Financial Aid to apply for the following grants. You will be notified through your financial aid award letter if you are eligible.

Defiance College Grant*

DC grants are awarded to full-time students who demonstrate need. The grant amount varies depending on need as determined by FAFSA.
* May not be combined with athletic scholarship

Pell Grant

This is a federal grant with awards that range from $750 - $7,395 (2024-2025) per year. It is awarded to full or part-time students based on need as determined by FAFSA.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This is a federal grant awarded to full-time Pell-eligible students with the lowest expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA. Amount varies up to $2,000.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

This is a state grant awarded to full-time and part-time students who are Ohio residents who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA. Amount varies up to $5,000 (2024-2025).

Ohio War Orphans Grant

This state program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. This award is $6,490 (2023-2024) annually.

Apply at the Ohio Department of Higher Education: https://wos.ohiohighered.org/apexprod/rws_hei/r/525/1

Is there a deadline? The application deadline is May 15th of every year. The deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is May 15, 2024. A complete application MUST be received or postmarked by May 15th to be considered for the scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Any applications postmarked after May 15, 2024, will be considered for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Who is eligible? To receive War Orphans Scholarship benefits, a student must be an Ohio resident and enrolled for full-time undergraduate study and pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree at an eligible Ohio college or university. Applicants must apply between the ages of 16 and 24.

How much aid is available? Scholarship benefits cover a portion of instructional and general fee charges at two and four-year public institutions and a portion of these charges at eligible private colleges and universities. The benefits are determined each year based on the number of eligible applications.

How do I apply? Application is made to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, State Grants and Scholarships Department.


Apply for FAFSADefiance College admits students regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability.