Scholarships for University of Notre Dame students

Notre Dame scholarships: Where to start

If you're looking at Notre Dame and trying to make the numbers work, you're not alone. Between tuition, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses, college costs can feel like a lot to sort through at once.

The good news is that scholarships can make a meaningful difference. Sallie's "How America Pays for College 2026" found that 61% of families used scholarships to help pay for college, with an average of $8,291 received among scholarship users. Even more encouraging, 76% of families using scholarships said the funding made college attendance possible.

Notre Dame students may receive need-based aid, compete for a limited number of merit scholarships, or find funding through academic programs, athletics, Notre Dame clubs, and private organizations. This guide breaks down the main options and gives you practical steps for continuing your scholarship search.

How much does the University of Notre Dame cost?

The cost of attending Notre Dame depends on factors such as your program, housing and meal choices, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and financial aid. Graduate and professional costs can also vary by program.

Rather than looking only at the published price, compare your full estimated costs with the scholarships, grants, family resources, and other financial aid available to you.

To explore estimated costs, financial aid information, admissions information, and other details about attending Notre Dame, visit Notre Dame'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 Notre Dame students?

Notre Dame students can find funding from several sources. Some scholarships and grants come directly from the university, while others may come from academic programs, athletics, local Notre Dame clubs, private organizations, employers, or community groups.

Merit scholarships

Notre Dame offers a limited number of merit scholarships to admitted first-year students. These awards recognize exceptional accomplishment, leadership, service, and intellectual promise.

Every first-year admission application is considered for merit scholarships. There is no separate initial application unless Notre Dame contacts you after selecting you as a merit semifinalist.

Need-based aid

Need-based aid is the main source of scholarship support for many Notre Dame students. Students who are admitted and complete the financial aid process are automatically considered for its need-based scholarship programs.

Domestic undergraduate students seeking need-based aid generally complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) and CSS Profile. International students follow Notre Dame's international financial aid process.

Departmental scholarships, grants, and fellowships

Some colleges, departments, and academic centers offer scholarships, research grants, fellowships, or other funding tied to a student's academic interests. Check with your college, department, faculty adviser, or academic center for current opportunities because funding options and application periods can change.

Athletic scholarships

Student-athletes may be eligible for athletic scholarships depending on their sport, roster needs, NCAA rules, and coaching staff decisions. Students should work directly with Notre Dame Athletics and their coaching staff for current athletic aid information.

Private and outside scholarships

Private scholarships may come from employers, nonprofits, professional associations, community foundations, religious organizations, local groups, and scholarship platforms. Each award has its own requirements, so look for opportunities connected to your location, major, career goals, work experience, service, or other qualifications.

Tools like Scholly^® Scholarships can help you find private opportunities based on your background, major, and interests.

University of Notre Dame merit scholarships

Notre Dame merit scholarships are highly competitive. According to Notre Dame, around 4% of admitted students receive merit aid, and every first-year applicant is considered automatically through the admission application.

Students selected for further consideration may be asked to complete additional steps. If college costs are part of your decision, Notre Dame also encourages merit scholarship applicants to apply for need-based financial aid.

Notre Dame Stamps Scholars Program

The Notre Dame Stamps Scholars Program is a merit scholarship for students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service, innovation, and character.

Notre Dame describes Stamps as its most generous merit scholarship package. It includes support for tuition and fees as well as estimated books, personal expenses, transportation, and enrichment opportunities. Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision applicants are considered automatically, with no separate initial application.

Scott Scholars Program

The Scott Scholars Program provides merit-based scholarship and enrichment funding to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership ability, and a commitment to service. Scott Scholars also have access to academic, professional development, enrichment, and community-building opportunities during their time at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame's Undergraduate Scholars Programs page is a good place to check for current scholar programs and opportunities.

University of Notre Dame need-based aid

Need-based financial aid is a major part of how Notre Dame helps eligible undergraduate students pay for college. Students who are admitted and complete the financial aid process are automatically considered for its need-based scholarship programs.

Pathways to Notre Dame

Pathways to Notre Dame is the university's undergraduate financial aid program. According to Notre Dame, it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for incoming and returning undergraduate students, including domestic and international students, without including loans in aid offers.

Beginning in 2026-2027, Pathways also established minimum levels of support for families with typical assets:

• Most families with income up to $60,000: Aid may cover tuition, fees, housing, and food.
• Families with income up to $150,000: Aid may cover at least full tuition.
• Families with income up to $200,000: Aid may cover at least half tuition.

These income levels aren't strict cutoffs. Families above the listed amounts may still qualify for need-based aid, and families with assets that are higher than what Notre Dame considers typical for their income may receive a different level of support. Notre Dame still reviews each family's full financial picture and says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Notre Dame Club Scholarships

Approximately 150 Notre Dame clubs offer Notre Dame Club scholarships for students from their geographic areas. These awards are based on demonstrated financial need. Students who apply for financial aid are automatically considered. A participating club may contact you if an additional essay, interview, or other step is needed.

Private scholarships for Notre Dame students

Notre Dame scholarships are only one place to look for funding. Private scholarships can help cover education-related expenses and may lower the amount you need to cover through savings, income, payment plans, or student loans.

National scholarships

National scholarships are open to students across the country and may be tied to academics, leadership, service, career goals, community involvement, or field of study. These awards can be competitive, but they're worth including alongside local and more specialized opportunities when you meet the requirements.

Indiana scholarships

Students who meet residency or other eligibility requirements can explore Indiana scholarships from state programs, community foundations, local businesses, and civic organizations. If you live outside Indiana, check your own state's scholarship programs and local organizations too.

Major-specific scholarships

Students may find scholarships tied to business, engineering, science, education, fine arts, architecture, data science, communications, and other fields. Academic colleges and departments can be strong places to start.

Local, employer, and community scholarships

Check your high school, hometown community foundation, employer, parent or guardian's employer, professional organizations, religious organizations, and local civic groups. Smaller local awards may have fewer applicants than large national scholarships, and several smaller scholarships can add up over time.

First-generation scholarships

Students who are among the first in their families to attend college can also explore scholarships for first-generation students. Definitions and requirements vary by scholarship, so check how each provider defines first-generation status before applying.

How do outside scholarships affect Notre Dame financial aid?

Notre Dame asks students to report private scholarships and other outside aid to its financial aid office as soon as they're notified of an award. Since Notre Dame meets demonstrated financial need, an outside scholarship may change the mix of aid in your offer.

According to Notre Dame, outside scholarships may first reduce Federal Work-Study or Campus Employment in your aid offer, and if additional adjustments are needed, institutional scholarships and, in some cases, state or federal grants may also be reduced.

Scholarships for Notre Dame transfer students

Transfer applicants aren't eligible for Notre Dame merit scholarships, but they can still apply for need-based financial aid.

Domestic transfer students seeking need-based aid should follow Notre Dame's transfer financial aid process and complete the FAFSA^®, CSS Profile, and any requested documents by the applicable priority date.

Transfer students can also keep looking for private scholarships and current opportunities through their academic program. Check Notre Dame's transfer aid page for the latest deadlines because they vary by entry term.

Scholarships for international students at Notre Dame

Undergraduate admission decisions for international applicants are need-blind, and Notre Dame meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted undergraduate students regardless of citizenship.

International students seeking need-based aid should follow Notre Dame's international undergraduate financial aid process and submit the CSS Profile and any requested documents. International students don't complete the FAFSA^® unless they are otherwise eligible to do so under federal rules.

International first-year applicants may also be considered for Notre Dame merit scholarships. Private scholarships and funding available through a student's home country can provide additional options.

How to apply for scholarships at Notre Dame

Scholarship applications are easier to manage when you start with Notre Dame's admission and financial aid process, then build your private scholarship search around it.

1. Apply for admission

Every first-year admission application is automatically considered for Notre Dame merit scholarships. Students applying through Restrictive Early Action receive priority consideration for merit scholarships.

2. Complete the FAFSA^® and CSS Profile if applying for need-based aid

Domestic undergraduate students applying for Notre Dame need-based financial aid generally need to submit both the FAFSA^® and CSS Profile. Check Notre Dame’s current financial aid application instructions and respond promptly if additional documents are requested. For help with the FAFSA^®, check out Sallie’s FAFSA^® guide.

3. Submit requested IDOC documents

After you submit the CSS Profile, Notre Dame may request supporting documents through the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service, or IDOC. Check your email and applicant portal so you can respond to document requests before your financial aid offer is prepared.

4. Check for additional Notre Dame opportunities

Look beyond university-wide aid. Ask your academic college or department about current scholarships, grants, fellowships, or research funding, and watch for any additional steps connected to a Notre Dame Club Scholarship.

5. Search for private scholarships

Expand your search to national, state, local, employer, major-specific, and community scholarships. Scholly^® Scholarships can help you find opportunities that fit your interests and goals.

6. Prepare reusable application materials

Many scholarship requirements relate to your academics, goals, extracurriculars, leadership, and background. Keep strong essays, activity lists, recommendation information, and short-answer responses in one place so you can adapt them.

7. Keep applying throughout college

Scholarship searching doesn't stop after your first year. Current undergraduates, transfer students, and graduate students can find new private or program-based opportunities throughout college.