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Knight Promise

Year After Year

Financial Aid You Can Count On

What is the Knight Promise?

The Knight Promise is a financial aid guarantee made of two parts: Pathway Grants (awards for completing steps of the admissions process) and academic scholarships.

Who is it for?

All incoming first-year students starting Fall 2026 or later receive the Knight Promise.

How long does it last?

The Knight Promise is guaranteed without reductions each year for up to 5 years for undergraduate students.
Knight Promise

Academic Scholarships

You are guaranteed an academic scholarship with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

We base the academic scholarships on your academic performance in high school. If you apply as "test optional," we only use your GPA. 

You can send us your updated GPA and test scores through April 30.

If you have a high school GPA below 3.0, we'll base your academic scholarship on your admission application.

Conditions for Satisfactory Academic Progress apply.

Scholarship Amounts and Average Recipient Scores
AmountScholarshipWeighted GPASATACTCLT
$22,000National MeritSelection determined by National Merit Corporation
$20,000Trustee's4.213503091
$18,000President's3.912002685
$16,000Provost's3.711602475
$14,000Dean's3.511002270
$10,000–$12,000Faculty's3.110002065
Knight Promise

Pathway Grants

Complete these steps to receive up to $6000! 

(Or up to $8000 if you live outside of Michigan or the U.S.)

$2000 for visiting

Visit Calvin as a high school junior or senior, and you'll receive the $2000 Visit Grant.

Plan your visit

Learn more about the Visit Grant

$2000 for being admitted

You'll earn the $2000 Knight for Life Award automatically when you're admitted to Calvin.

Apply now

$2000 for submitting the FAFSA

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Calvin each year and we'll award you the $2000 Calvin FAFSA Grant. Use Calvin’s FAFSA code: 002241.

Submit the FAFSA

$2000 if you live outside of Michigan

Live in a state other than Michigan or outside the U.S.? You’ll get this $2000 Out-of-State or International Grant automatically when you enroll at Calvin.

Explore Further

Other Scholarships and Financial Aid

Explore many other scholarship and aid opportunities in addition to the Knight Promise. 

Named Scholarships

Calvin’s Named Scholarships are funded by generous donors and awarded based on your interests, studies, and achievements. With one application, you’ll be automatically considered for scholarships where you meet the donor’s requirements. Most students match the requirements for 50-60 scholarships! So be sure to apply each year.

Learn more about Named Scholarships

Student Employment

Take advantage of more than 1,000 on-campus jobs available to Calvin students. Or, search employment options off campus.

Search for jobs

Outside Scholarships

We've compiled a list of outside scholarships and search tools.

View outside scholarships

Grants

Explore other federal, state, and Calvin-specific grants you may qualify for. Many of these are based on financial need.

Learn more about grants

Loans

If you submit the FAFSA, you may qualify for the Federal Direct Loan (up to $5,500 for first-year students) or federal parent loans. You can also explore private loans through through banks and credit unions

Learn more about loans

At a Glance

Financial Aid Timeline

Image
A calvin student meets with someone at a table, with laptops and Peet's coffee.
Questions?

Contact the Financial Aid Office

Whether you are starting to explore options or finalizing your plan, our team is here to help.