The Transformative Power of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial aid and scholarships play a pivotal role in the academic journey of Bucknellians, enabling them to harness their unique talents and capitalize on the rigorous academic training and enriching mentorship they receive at Bucknell. We see Bucknellians — distinct, inquisitive, creative and sharp — as the ones who will shape our world. They are innovative leaders capable of transforming the future of their companies and communities.

Access to scholarships and robust financial aid resources enables students to pursue their education without financial burdens. When this happens, they can more closely focus on their classroom and campus experience. By providing equitable opportunities for all students who earn admission, Bucknell continues to foster the development of changemakers and leaders our world needs.

The University is committed to investing in access. Over the past five years, Bucknell has reallocated over $10 million to financial aid, increasing its budget to more than $94 million. Currently, most aid packages meet 93% of demonstrated student need and include a combination of scholarships, grants and federal loans.

As the pool of available financial aid increases, the University is focused on growing both merit and need-based aid resources. Merit scholarship programs enhance Bucknell’s competitive profile by attracting larger applicant pools and enabling a more selective admissions process. Likewise, affordability initiatives aimed at meeting 100% of demonstrated need, without the inclusion of federal loans, increase the likelihood that high-achieving first-generation and low-income students are able to say “yes” to Bucknell. Both avenues of aid are critical to the University’s work to appeal to top students.

With each incoming class, more students from diverse backgrounds are choosing Bucknell, highlighting the importance of affordability, access and merit initiatives in attracting the most qualified and motivated students.