What is the Knight Promise?
Financial aid you can count on year after year.
At Calvin University, we believe that your potential—not your financial circumstances—should shape your future. That’s why we created the Knight Promise: a guaranteed, renewable set of financial aid awards for your academic achievement and your initiative.
If you are an undergrad student starting at Calvin in Fall 2026 or later, you qualify for the Knight Promise.
No surprises. No fine print. Just a clear path to a Calvin education.
Here's How It Works
Visit Campus – $2000
Visit Calvin as a high school junior or senior, and you'll receive the $2000 Visit Grant.
Apply – $2000
You'll earn the $2000 Knight for Life Award automatically when you apply and are admitted to Calvin.
Submit the FAFSA – $2000
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. This award will renew automatically as long as you are making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Live out of state? – $2000
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.
Academic Scholarships
You are guaranteed an academic scholarship with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Awards vary. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown.
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.
Your academic scholarship will be automatically renewed for up to 5 years of undergraduate study as long as you are making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Students with less than a 3.0 high school GPA will be evaluated based on their admission application.
| Amount | Scholarship | Weighted GPA | SAT | ACT | CLT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22,000 | National Merit | Selection determined by National Merit Corporation | |||
| $20,000 | Trustee's | 4.1 | 1320 | 30 | 91 |
| $18,000 | President's | 3.9 | 1170 | 26 | 85 |
| $16,000 | Provost's | 3.7 | 1160 | 24 | 75 |
| $14,000 | Dean's | 3.5 | 1120 | 22 | 70 |
| $10,000–$12,000 | Faculty's | 3.1 | 1050 | 20 | 65 |
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 a single 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.
Outside Scholarships
Here are a few scholarship search tools to get you started.
Grants
Explore other federal, state, or Calvin-specific grants you may qualify for. Many of these are based on financial need.
Loans
If you submit the FAFSA, you may qualify for a 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.
Financial Aid Timeline
Contact the Financial Aid Office
Whether you are starting to explore options or finalizing your plan, our team is here to help.
Email: finaid@calvin.edu
Phone (toll-free in North America): 1-800-688-0122
Phone (local or international): 616-526-6134