Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship (Vanderbilt University)

About this scholarship

The Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship is Vanderbilt University's most prestigious signature merit scholarship for undergraduates. Scholars receive full tuition for four years, plus a one-time summer stipend to fund an immersive experience — such as research, study abroad, or service — following the sophomore or junior year. As a merit award covering tuition (rather than the full cost of attendance including room and board), it is classed as partial here, though Vanderbilt separately meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, so many scholars are very well funded overall. Selection is based on academic achievement, intellectual promise, and leadership and contribution outside the classroom, and the award is open to all applicants, including international students. To apply, you first submit your application for admission (via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge); within a few business days you receive instructions to create a MyAppVU account, where, under the Scholarship tab, you select the signature scholarship(s) you wish to apply for and upload your responses. The deadline to submit the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application is around December 1, with recipients notified by the end of March.

Eligibility

• Apply for first-year undergraduate admission to Vanderbilt (Common/Coalition/QuestBridge)
• Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and intellectual promise
• Show strong leadership and contribution outside the classroom
• Create a MyAppVU account and submit the signature scholarship application
• Meet the application deadline (around December 1)