Scholarships for Grand Canyon University students

The good news is that scholarships can make a meaningful difference. Research from Sallie's "How America Pays for College 2026 study found that 61% of college students received a scholarship, with an average of $8,291 received among scholarship users. Even more encouraging, 76% of scholarship users said scholarships helped make college attendance possible.

At GCU, scholarship opportunities can vary depending on whether you're an incoming freshman, transfer student, international student, online student, graduate student, or traditional student attending the main campus.

This guide explains how GCU scholarships work, how to apply, and where to look for additional opportunities that may help lower your college costs.

How much does Grand Canyon University cost?

What you'll pay to attend GCU can vary based on your program, enrollment format, housing choices, financial aid, and other factors.

Rather than relying on one published sticker price, look at your estimated costs alongside scholarships, grants, and other financial aid. To explore estimated costs, financial aid information, admissions details, and other information about attending GCU, visit Grand Canyon University's profile on Scout College Search. It's a helpful starting point for comparing costs and planning how you'll pay for college.

What scholarships are available for GCU students?

GCU students can find scholarships from several sources. Some are considered through the admissions process, while others may require a separate application or have requirements tied to a particular program or type of enrollment.

Academic scholarships

GCU offers academic scholarships for eligible incoming freshmen planning to attend as traditional, undergraduate students on the main campus. Students are generally evaluated through the admissions process using their academic information.

Scholarship criteria and availability can change, so students should review GCU's incoming freshman scholarship information before applying.

Need-based aid

GCU offers need-based scholarship opportunities for certain eligible traditional students. These programs use financial need as part of their eligibility requirements, so completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) is an important step.

Students can review GCU's additional scholarship and grant opportunities for current information.

Departmental and program scholarships

Some scholarship opportunities may be connected to a GCU college, academic program, honors program, or area of study. Depending on the award, students may need to complete additional application materials, auditions, or other steps.

Your academic college or department can be another good place to look for scholarship opportunities after you've reviewed GCU's university-wide programs.

Athletic scholarships

Student-athletes may be eligible for athletic scholarships depending on their sport, team needs, NCAA rules, and coaching decisions. Students interested in athletic aid should work directly with GCU Athletics and the appropriate coaching staff.

Private scholarships

Private scholarships can come from employers, nonprofits, professional associations, community organizations, religious organizations, local foundations, and national scholarship programs.

These awards may supplement GCU funding depending on university and scholarship rules, so it's worth continuing your search even if you already have a GCU scholarship. Tools like Scholly^® Scholarships can help you find private opportunities based on your major, interests, experiences, and goals.

GCU scholarship programs to know

GCU offers several scholarship programs in addition to its general academic awards. Availability and requirements can change, so use these examples as a starting point and check GCU's scholarship pages before applying.

Canyon Rising Scholarship

The Canyon Rising Scholarship is a need-based opportunity for certain eligible traditional students. Students must complete the FAFSA^® and meet GCU's financial need and scholarship requirements.

The program is designed to help eligible students with tuition costs remaining after certain other aid is applied. Because funding and eligibility rules can change, students should confirm current details through GCU's additional scholarship information.

Pell Grant Match Scholarship

The Pell Grant Match Scholarship is a need-based opportunity for certain traditional, on-campus students who qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.

Eligibility and how the award works can depend on a student's financial aid package, so review GCU's current scholarship information before including the award in your college funding plan.

Colangelo Scholarship

The Colangelo Scholarship is a competitive opportunity for eligible incoming traditional, on-campus business students. Unlike GCU's general academic scholarships, this program requires additional application materials.

Because scholarship terms can change, students should review GCU's current freshman scholarship information before applying.

Ingram Honors College scholarships

Eligible traditional, on-campus students may find additional scholarship opportunities through the Ingram Honors College. These can include competitive opportunities connected to academics, research, leadership, or service.

Application requirements and availability vary, so students should review the Honors College's current scholarship information.

Performance scholarships

Students pursuing certain programs in GCU's College of Arts and Media may be considered for performance scholarship opportunities through an audition process.

Students interested in music, dance, theatre, or related fields should review the College of Arts and Media for current audition and scholarship information.

Scholarships for transfer students at GCU

Transfer students have their own set of GCU scholarship opportunities, so it's important not to rely on scholarship information written specifically for incoming freshmen.

GCU offers academic and other scholarship opportunities for eligible traditional, on-campus transfer students. Depending on the award, eligibility may consider previous college coursework, academic achievement, financial need, honor society membership, or other criteria.

Start with GCU's transfer and gap-year scholarship information, then check your academic program and private scholarship options too.

Scholarships for international students at GCU

GCU offers academic scholarship opportunities for some eligible international students attending as traditional undergraduate students on the main campus.

Scholarship eligibility can depend on factors such as academic history, admission status, and enrollment type. International students should review GCU's international scholarship information for the most up-to-date opportunities and requirements.

International students should also keep in mind that federal financial aid eligibility is limited based on citizenship or eligible noncitizen status. Students who aren't eligible for federal aid can still explore GCU scholarships and outside funding opportunities.

Scholarships for online and evening students

GCU may offer scholarship or tuition-saving opportunities for eligible online and evening students.

Available opportunities can depend on the degree program, enrollment format, student status, and other scholarship terms. Because these offers can change, students should review GCU's online and evening scholarship information when planning how to pay for school.

Scholarships for graduate students at GCU

Graduate and doctoral students may find funding through GCU program scholarships, graduate assistant opportunities, employer education benefits, departmental resources, and private graduate scholarships.

Funding options vary by program, so graduate students should start with their academic program and GCU's scholarship resources, then expand their search to professional organizations, employers, and private scholarships.

How does GCU financial aid work?

Scholarships are only one part of paying for GCU. Students may use a combination of scholarships, grants, work opportunities, family contributions, savings, and student loans.

A good first step for eligible students is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). The FAFSA^® helps determine eligibility for federal grants, Federal Work-Study, federal student loans, and certain need-based GCU programs.

As you review a financial aid offer, it can help to separate funding that typically doesn't need to be repaid from borrowed money:

• Scholarships: Awards based on academic achievement, financial need, program, student type, or other criteria. Scholarships typically don't need to be repaid.
• Grants: Federal, state, or institutional aid that generally doesn't need to be repaid when program requirements are met.
• Work opportunities: Earnings from Federal Work-Study or other student employment.
• Federal student loans: Borrowed money from the federal government that must be repaid with interest.
• Private student loans: Borrowed money from a private lender, generally considered after scholarships, grants, savings, and federal aid.

Private scholarships for GCU students

One common scholarship mistake is assuming GCU scholarships are your only option. Private scholarships can help fill funding gaps and may reduce what you need to borrow or pay from other resources.

Sallie's "How America Pays for College 2026" found that three out of four college students who didn't use scholarships never applied. That means many students may miss scholarship opportunities simply because they don't start.

National scholarships

National scholarships can be competitive, but they're still worth considering when you're a strong fit. Look for opportunities connected to your major, career goals, leadership, service, activities, or other experiences.

Arizona scholarships

GCU students should also look for Arizona-based and local scholarships from community foundations, nonprofits, employers, civic organizations, professional groups, and local businesses.

Local opportunities may have smaller applicant pools than major national scholarships, making them worth adding to your search.

Major- and career-specific scholarships

Scholarships tied to your field of study can help narrow your search. GCU students may find opportunities related to nursing, education, business, engineering, technology, psychology, healthcare, theology, the arts, and other fields.

Your future profession can also open additional possibilities through employers and professional associations.

Faith-based scholarships

Students may also find private scholarships through churches, religious organizations, denominational groups, foundations, and community organizations. Scholarship requirements vary, so look for opportunities that match your affiliations, service experience, or educational goals.

Community and employer scholarships

Community organizations and employers can be another source of scholarship funding. Check whether your employer, a parent's employer, civic groups, local foundations, or organizations you're involved with offer education awards.