2025-26 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.
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 2025
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 or music scholarships
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 or music scholarships
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 or music scholarships
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 or music scholarships
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).
Other Scholarships & Grants
Residents of Ohio might be eligible for other scholarships and grants. Visit this site to learn more.
The Defiance Area Foundation has an assortment of scholarships. Click here to see what's available.
