Congratulations! Due to all of your hard work and dedication, you are being considered for one of Rockford University’s Competitive Scholarships. These scholarships have assisted many of our students with their financial costs here at Rockford University. Admitted students with a GPA of 3.5 and above and a core GPA of 3.0 in the subjects of English and Math are eligible to compete in Rockford University’s scholarship competition. GPAs are calculated on a 4.0 scale. Below you will find all of the information you need to know when competing for these scholarships.
Recipients may still be eligible for additional financial aid by demonstrating need on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
Charles & Dianna Colman Scholarship
The Charles & Dianna Colman Scholarship is a competitive scholarship available to domestic students. Recipients are required to complete the FAFSA and be enrolled full-time. The Charles & Dianna Colman Scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with other Rockford University scholarships, grants, or awards. This scholarship applies toward tuition only and is available for four years. If a qualified student does not receive a Charles & Dianna Colman Scholarship, they are automatically considered for the Trustee Scholarship. A separate application is not necessary.
Amount: up to full tuition
Requirements:
- Available to incoming first-year and transfer students
- Required to live and take meals on campus
- To renew annually, recipients must maintain both a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.50
Trustee Scholarship
The Trustee Scholarship is a competitive scholarship available to domestic students. Recipients are required to complete the FAFSA and be enrolled full-time. The Trustee Scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with other Rockford University scholarships, grants, or awards. This scholarship applies toward tuition only and is available for four years. If a qualified student does not receive a Trustee Scholarship, they are automatically considered for the Dean’s Scholarship. A separate application is not necessary.
Amount: up to 75% of tuition
Requirements:
- Available to incoming first-year and transfer students
- Required to live and take meals on campus
- To renew annually, recipients must maintain both a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.25
APPLICATION DETAILS
Step 1: Apply to Rockford University – Admitted students with a GPA of 3.5 and above and a core GPA of 3.0 in the subjects of English and Math are eligible to compete in Rockford University’s scholarship competition. Eligible students must be admitted to the university by Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Step 2: Submit an Essay & Video Presentation – These must be submitted to admissions@rockford.edu by Friday, January 9, 2026.
The essay: In no more than 500 words, answer the following question. How do you envision your college experience shaping your future, and what specific aspects of college life are you most excited about? Essays should be submitted in a .doc or .pdf format.
The video presentation: Submit a video presentation about an accomplishment you are proud of and why. Your submission must be 5 to 10 minutes in length. Your video should have an audio and visual recording of yourself, and you may integrate additional visual aids, such as slides, additional videos, photos, etc., into the video. The video submission should be a single MP4 file. A few examples of project topics that have been submitted in the past include: an art exhibit, a video game they coded, a service trip, a school project or a community service project, or a club they started.
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Admission Deadline
Friday, January 9, 2026 – Essay and Video Presentation Deadline
Friday, January 23, 2026 – Competitive Scholarship Winners Announced
Friday, February 27, 2026 – Competitive Scholarship Banquet
Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Deadline to Accept Scholarship
FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS
When will I know if I am a scholarship competition winner?
The results of the competition will be announced by Friday, January 23, 2026. Students receiving an additional scholarship will receive an updated financial aid award letter reflecting the changes as soon as notifications are official.
Is there an awardee waitlist?
Admissions will maintain a waitlist of students. We will re-award scholarships after the March 15th, 2026 deposit deadline.
How do I know if Rockford University received my essay and video presentation?
Our office will reply upon receiving your essay and video presentation. If you do not hear from us soon after you send your items, feel free to call 815.226.4050 or email admissions@rockford.edu separately. Occasionally file sizes cause email errors. Items can be shared through links to cloud storage if needed.
