Lee University is committed to providing the resources needed to finance your educational goals and provides a number of institutional scholarship and grant opportunities for new and returning students. Institutional aid decisions result from a careful review of the Application for Undergraduate Admissions, including official test scores and transcripts, as well as information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
In addition, Lee offers many endowment and other scholarship opportunities that are funded by generous foundations and donors that target specific student characteristics and achievements. The Lee University Scholarship Profile enables the university to match students to available aid opportunities not already identifiable based on Admissions application and FAFSA submissions.
Our process for matching you with the resources you need is a comprehensive look at each of the above submissions. Once these submissions have been made, the university will provide an award letter, showing what grant and scholarship assistance will be awarded to you upon your enrollment.
Early Action
You have two options for applying to Lee University. All incoming students who complete their applications (FAFSA, Lee Admissions, and Scholarship Profile) prior to December 1 will be Early Action* candidates and will receive a response on a priority basis with a guarantee of receiving a decision by the holiday break. After December 1, all financial aid decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Apply today!
Below is a list of the major financial assistance programs available to students while attending Lee University.
Note to Applicants for Fall 2024: Due to the delay of the new FAFSA, the Early Action deadline for Fall 2024 enrollment is Feb. 14. Early Action candidates will receive a decision on their financial aid award by March 1, 2024.
Institutional Scholarships & Aid Programs
General merit scholarships for beginning freshmen range from $2,000 to $10,000. These scholarships are renewable for a maximum of four years or eight semesters provided that the recipient maintains continuous, full-time enrollment and a minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA. The undergraduate admissions application serves as the application for these scholarships. Awards are based on official test scores from the ACT, SAT or CLT and all transcripts. Beginning freshmen are considered for these awards based on an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Superscores on entrance examinations are not considered for merit scholarships. Students may receive only one general merit scholarship.
Lee University is test optional. Admitted freshmen who choose to pursue admission without a test score will be considered for general merit scholarships based on an evaluation of their high school GPA and academic experience.
The Presidential Scholarship starts at $7,500 per year. The average Presidential Scholar has an ACT of 28 (or equivalent test score on the SAT or CLT) and a high school GPA greater than 3.5.
The Dean’s Scholarship starts at $5,000 per year. The average Dean’s Scholar has an ACT of 24 (or equivalent test score on the SAT or CLT) and a high school GPA greater than 3.3.
The Ignite Scholarship starts at $2,000 per year. The average Ignite Scholar has an ACT of 21 (or equivalent test score on the SAT or CLT) and a high school GPA greater than 3.0.
Transfer Scholarships
These new awards apply only to traditional campus-based transfer students who enroll in or after the 2020-2021 academic year.
John D. Nichols Scholarship
The John D. Nichols Scholarship requirements include a 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. The award amount is $3,000 for up to three academic years. Only transfer applicants are eligible. This non-competitive scholarship has no deadline. The Nichols Scholarship will be awarded by the Office of Admissions based on GPA from official transcripts.
Community College Graduate Scholarship
The Community College Graduate Scholarship requirements include the completion of an associate’s degree and full-time enrollment. This scholarship can be paired with the John D. Nichols Scholarship for an additional award of $1,000 per year for up to two academic years. Only students who transfer directly to Lee after graduation from community college are eligible. This non-competitive scholarship has no deadline. The scholarship application must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship requirements include membership in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, associate’s degree, 3.5 cumulative GPA, and full-time enrollment. The scholarship can be paired with the John D. Nichols Scholarship for an additional award of $2000 per year for up to two academic years. Only transfer applicants are eligible. This non-competitive scholarship has no deadline. Scholarship application materials, including proof of associate’s degree and Phi Theta Kappa membership, can be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
In addition to the general, non-competitive awards described above, there are competitive scholarships awarded to many high-achieving applicants. To be considered for any of the following named competitive scholarships or departmental scholarships, all application materials must be submitted by March 15.
Charles Paul Conn Centennial Scholarship – This is Lee’s most competitive scholarship for incoming freshmen; qualified applicants will be invited to a separate application and selection process, after which 10 incoming freshmen will be named Charles Paul Conn Centennial Scholars and will receive renewable full-tuition scholarships.
Rymer Scholarship – The Rymer program has been awarding top applicants from Cleveland and Bradley County for over thirty years. Awards are given at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels, after a separate application and selection process. (application notifications and reminders will be sent to eligible applicants).
Poiema Scholarship – Begun in 2002 for the purpose of assisting future vocational ministers in their education to fulfill their calling, the Poiema Scholarship Program (pronounced “poy-ay-mah”) provides 20 scholarships for School of Theology & Ministry (STM) majors for each academic year. Eligible candidates will be invited to a separate application and selection process based on information from admissions application materials and the scholarship profile.
The LeeU Promise scholarship program is a last-dollar scholarship that, for students who qualify, will cover remaining tuition balance after other aid is applied. Students who meet the following criteria would be eligible:
- Tennessee HOPE eligible (21 ACT or 3.0 high school GPA)
- Must submit valid FAFSA before April 1
- Parent Adjusted Gross Income less than $36,000
- Lee must be first university after high school
- Full Pell Eligible
Church of God Ministers Scholarship – The Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and Lee University have partnered to institute an annual scholarship for dependents/children of ordained ministers and bishops in the Church of God. Qualify by submitting admissions application, scholarship profile, and FAFSA. Scholarships are $3,000 for one year and can only be applied to the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. The scholarship can be renewed with application. The number of scholarships is limited and will be awarded on a rolling basis with priority given to Early Action candidates.
Employee Tuition Discount – Various levels of tuition discount are available for applicants whose parent is a Lee University employee. Please refer to the relevant employee handbooks for qualification and required documentation.
Tuition Exchange Programs – Applicants whose parent/s are employed by cooperating institutions are eligible for tuition exchange through one of three affiliated programs: Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Council for Independent Colleges, and Tuition Exchange.
Family Tuition Discount – Applicants who are enrolled full-time at Lee University with another member of their immediate household may be eligible for a $2,500 discount in the year both are enrolled. See Loading... for full details.
Other LeeU Commitments
The award package offered will reflect a combination of the awards above, federal and state grants, and other institutional commitments, which comprise a variety of need or merit-based aid, including endowment scholarships, athletic, music or other talent-based scholarships. If a student still has a remaining balance after Lee University’s institutional commitment has been made in the award letter, the student is encouraged to explore several other options to close the gap. Below is an exhaustive list of assistance programs and search tools that are utilized by students every year. Some programs listed are part of the initial award process, and in those cases the utilization of that program will be specified in the final award letter.
If you are ready to see what kind of assistance you can count on to afford your Lee University experience, visit the application portal and get started by clicking here!
Asian Pacific Scholarship
Endowment Scholarships
Hicks Scholars Program
LeeU Grant
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Program
Music Scholarships
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Scholarship
School of Theology and Ministry Scholarship Program
State Alumni Chapter Scholarship Funds
Theatre Talent Scholarship
Winters Foundation Revolving Fund Program
Sallie Mae Graduate Scholarships
This tool exclusively for graduate scholarships has 950,000 scholarships with up to $1 billion in resources available.
Sallie Mae Graduate Scholarships
Dependent's Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Federal Direct Stafford Loan
Federal Pell Grant
Federal SEOG
Federal Teach Grant
Federal Work-Study
Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606)
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
Veteran Educational Benefits
Yellow Ribbon Program (Chapter 33)
Scholarship Resources
Unigo Scholarships
They are one of the best, most comprehensive free online scholarship searches available to students, parents, and educators.Adventures In Education
Students can conduct a keyword search of a data base containing 10,000 scholarships.Scholarships.com
This database offers more than 2.7 million college scholarships and grants totaling more than $19 billion.College Express
This source boasts to be "the world's leading site for scholarships and financial aid," offering more than 250,000 scholarships totaling $40 billion.Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
This database, offered by SallieMae, contains over 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion.Scholarship America
Scholarship America supports students by breaking down barriers, opening doors, and offering access to college scholarships.Bureau of Indian Affairs
The bureau is responsible for the administration of federal programs for federally recognized American Indian tribes.
CareerInfoNet.org
This site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, has a searchable database containing more than 5,000 scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other financial aid opportunities.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
Learn more about the 16 Fellowships awarded annually to promising Latinos. The Summer Internship Program provides 30 undergraduate students the opportunity to spend two months in Washington D.C. to learn how government functions.
Finaid.org
This site is a comprehensive site that can help guide students through the financial aid process. Student can also do free scholarship searches and find information on career opportunities.
The Gates Millennium Scholars
The aim of this program is to expand access and opportunity to higher education to those citizens who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live.
International Student Aid
This database for international students is located at the International Education Financial Aid Web site.
ScholarSite
This site allows you to search for scholastic financial aid quickly and accurately, without forcing you to lose time and privacy by entering personal information.