Scholarships Overview

Thank you for considering Divine Mercy University (DMU) for your graduate education. At DMU, we are committed to a rich tradition of educating our graduate students in the areas of counseling and psychology integrating the authentic Catholic-Christian view of the human person through studies of theology and philosophy. We understand that as you consider DMU, there is also the practical need to consider the funding of your education. The purpose of the DMU Scholarship Program is to assist DMU students with internal scholarships.

These scholarships are specifically for prospective and current students at DMU. Please submit all scholarship essays and required documents to financialaid@divinemercy.edu

The following Scholarships with the exception of the Tenaglia and the Memorial Scholarships do not apply to students in the Spiritual Direction Certificate program.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

  1. Applicants must be active or prospective students fully engaged in the admissions process at DMU. If you have not yet begun the application process to a program of study, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@divinemercy.edu
  2. Before applying for scholarships, you must first submit the Admissions Application to the academic program of study, for which you are seeking admission (i.e., Master of Science in Counseling, Doctor of Clinical Psychology or Master of Science in General Psychology).
  3. Please carefully review each scholarship and the Scholarship Terms and Conditions to ensure you meet its requirements.
  4. Students may be awarded a maximum of one DMU Scholarship and one Discount opportunity (excluding the Early Admissions Scholarship). They can’t be combined with Reduced Tuition Partnerships (MOUs).
  5. A Financial Aid Overview meeting needs to be scheduled before submitting any document. To schedule that meeting please reach out to: financialaid@divinemercy.edu

 Scholarships for ALL DMU Programs

Early Admission Discount

Amount: up to $1,500 (MSP), up to $2,000 (MSC), and up to $3,000 (PSYD)

Description: Awarded to new incoming students who complete the application process and are granted Admission to select DMU programs by the published early admission deadlines. The Early Admission Scholarship is a one-time scholarship applied to the student’s first academic year with IPS.

Requirements:

  1. GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
  2. Applicants must have ALL components of the Application for Admission as well as the Scholarship Program Application completed and submitted by the published early admission scholarship deadlines. Note, this deadline may be unique to each graduate program at DMU. See individual program applications for their specific deadlines.
  3. Applicants must pay their application fee in order to secure this scholarship.
  4. Applicants must be new applicants to the program.  Previous or deferred applicants are ineligible to receive this scholarship for the same program of study.
  5. This scholarship can be combined with other Scholarships, Discounts or Tuition Partnerships.
  6. There is no need to apply for this scholarship; it will be confirmed by your Admissions Advisor based on the date you completed your application.

Grant in Aid Scholarship

Amount: up to $3,500

Description:  This grant is designed to help degree seeking students in need to continue their studies. This aid opportunity is awarded for one designated term such as one academic year and is not eligible for annual renewal.

Requirements:

  1. GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
  2. Additional support documentation may be requested upon review of the scholarship application.
  3. Essay: Please compose an essay (500 words max.) that outlines the following:
    1. Your particular need for this scholarship
    2. How this scholarship will allow the continued pursuit of the academic program in which you are enrolled at DMU.
  4. Statement of mitigating circumstances. A need is considered to determine the amount offered to each student based on information received from the student through the Overview meeting a Statement of Mitigating Circumstances presented.The application to other scholarship opportunities is also used to determine the amount of aid offered.

Merit-Based Scholarships for Specific DMU Programs

The following Merit-based scholarship opportunities are available for applicants actively applying for admission to a specific program. A committee will evaluate and grant these scholarships to the best candidate before certain deadlines, if interested request those deadlines to your Financial Aid advisor.

PSYD Scholarship – up to 50% scholarship

Amount: One Scholarship up to 50% scholarship and two 25% scholarships

Description: This scholarship is for students who are seeking admission to the PSYD program. There are a limited number of these scholarships. They are granted subject to availability.

Requirements:

  1. Cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or greater. Preference is given to applicants with strong academic merit (i.e. high undergraduate cumulative GPA) and those who clearly embody the mission and vision of DMU.
  2. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the course of their program.
  3. Essay: Compose an essay (2,500 words max.) that highlights your particular motivation and qualifications for your academic pursuits at DMU. As you demonstrate your candidacy for this scholarship, please include the following elements in your essay:
    1. Describe personal intent and goals after completion of the PSY D program.
    2. What are special or unique qualifications you bring to the academic community?
    3. What are special interest areas of study you hope to address during your time at DMU?

M.S. in Counseling Scholarship – up to 50% scholarship

Amount: One Scholarship up to 50% scholarship and one 25% scholarship

Description: This scholarship is for students who are seeking admission to the M.S. in Counseling program. There are a limited number of these scholarships. They are granted subject to availability.

Requirements:

  1. Cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or greater. Preference is given to applicants with strong academic merit (i.e.  high undergraduate cumulative GPA) and those who clearly embody the mission and vision of DMU.
  2. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the course of their program.
  3. Essay: Compose an essay (2,500 words max.) that highlights your particular motivation and qualifications for your academic pursuits at DMU. As you demonstrate your candidacy for this scholarship, please include the following elements in your essay:
    1. Describe personal intent and goals after completion of the Masters in Counseling program.
    2. What are special or unique qualifications you bring to the academic community?
    3. What are special interest areas of study you hope to address during your time at DMU?
    4. How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling those plans?

M.S. in Psychology Scholarship – up to 50% scholarship

Amount: One Scholarship up to 50% scholarship and one 25% scholarship

Description: This scholarship is for students who are seeking admission to the M.S. in Psychology program. There are a limited number of these scholarships.  They are granted subject to availability.

Requirements:

  1. Cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or greater. Preference is given to applicants with strong academic merit (i.e.  high undergraduate cumulative GPA) and those who clearly embody the mission and vision of DMU.
  2. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the course of their program.
  3. Essay: Compose an essay (2,500 words max.) that highlights your particular motivation and qualifications for your academic pursuits at DMU. As you demonstrate your candidacy for this scholarship, please include the following elements in your essay:
    1. Describe personal intent and goals after completion of the Masters in Psychology program.
    2. What are special or unique qualifications you bring to the academic community?
    3. What are special interest areas of study you hope to address during your time at DMU?
    4. How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling those plans?

Funded Scholarships

St. Irenaeus Scholarship

Amount: Up to $8,750


Description: This is a scholarship for students enrolling or enrolled in the Psy.D. program. It is intended to substantially aid students with academic excellence, need and a family. A good candidate will manifest a commitment to DMU’s mission and the anticipation of spreading this mission upon graduation. There is a limited number of scholarships granted per year for an aggregate total of up to $8,750. This aid opportunity is awarded for one designated term such as one academic year and is not eligible for annual renewal.

Requirements:

  1. Demonstrate academic achievement by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  2. Have financial and family needs.

St. Martin de Porres Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000

Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling or enrolled in the Psy.D. program. There is only one granted per year. This aid opportunity is awarded for one designated term such as one academic year and is not eligible for annual renewal.

Requirements:

  1. GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the Psy.D. program.
  2. Essay: Please compose an essay (500 word max.) that outlines the following:
    1. Your particular need for this scholarship
    2. How this scholarship will allow continued pursuit of the academic program of which you are enrolled in at DMU.

Memorial Scholarship

Amount: One scholarship up to $5,000, two scholarships up to $1,500, and two scholarships up to $1000 per year for degree seeking students. Three scholarships per year of up to $1,000 for students in the SD Certificate Program.

Description: This is a need-based scholarship open to all qualified incoming students. The Fund will award scholarships for students pursuing a degree in our Master’s in Psychology Program, Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program, or the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology Program, as well as Students in the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program. This aid opportunity is awarded for one designated term such as one academic year and is not eligible for annual renewal.

Requirements:

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be examples of great charity, reflecting this virtue which was so clearly present in Travis Schilling and Peggy Hart. In addition, they must meet the following requirements:

  1. Possess a GPA required for the specific program of study to which the applicant is applying.
  2.  Provide a resume and a cover letter that explains the applicant’s desire and need for this scholarship
  3. Compose an essay (500 words maximum) that describes the applicant’s background and what they hope to do with a DMU education to help those in need
  4. Provide any additional documentation that may be requested after a review of their application

Drs. Nicholas and Tammy Tenaglia Scholarship Fund

Amount: Up to $5,000 for degree program students and up to $1,000 for certificate-seeking students

Description: Need-based scholarship for Philadelphia residents in all programs. One scholarship up to $5,000.00 per year for a degree seeking student and one scholarship up to $1,000.00 per year for a certificate seeking student. The scholarship will be awarded to the student for the duration of the program as long as the requirements are met.

Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be examples of great charity and faith, be a resident of the great Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, and meet the following requirements:
  2. Possess a GPA required for the specific program of study to which the applicant is applying.
  3. Provide a resume and a cover letter that explains the applicant’s desire and need for this scholarship.
  4. Compose an essay (500 words maximum) that describes the applicant’s background and what they hope to do with a DMU education to help those in need.

Institutional Discount Structure

Requirements will vary based on each category as follows:

Religious and Consecrated

Amount: Up to 20% Discount.

Description: This institutional discount is intended to support any religious, priest or consecrated of the Catholic Church.

Requirements:  Letter from the Religious Superior of an OCD-listed religious organization.

Employees of the Catholic Church and other Catholic Nonprofits not formally affiliated with the Church

Amount: Up to 15% Discount

Description: This institutional discount is intended to support any lay person fully employed by the Catholic Church (Parish, dioceses, archdiocese) or by any other Catholic Nonprofit not formally affiliated with the Church.

Requirements:  Employment verification showing at least one year of full-time employment with the issuing organization.

Other Discount Options Available

Amount: Up to 15% Discount

Students from Newman Schools

Requirements:  You must be currently enrolled in a university or graduate program that belongs to the Cardinal Newman Society.

CCMA (Catholic Campus Ministry Association) Members

Requirements:  You must be currently a member of a Catholic Center in your university. A letter from the head of the Catholic Center confirming your membership is required.

Members of the Military

Requirements: Students who qualify for VA Tuition assistance are also eligible for this discount.

Public Servants (First Responders, Police Officers, EMTs, Firefighters, Teachers, etc.)

Requirements:  Verification of your current status is required in the form of a current ID or verification letter from your agency/employer.

Diversity Students

Requirements: Priority for the Diversity Scholarship is given to students with financial need as defined by federal guidelines and who are “first generation”.

Requirement to write down an Essay with 500 words answering:

  • How has your diversity (cultural heritage, race, gender, socio-economic background, family, work, and/or school/college experiences, etc.) contributed to who you are today and your pursuit of a graduate education at DMU?
  • All students who qualify for the diversity scholarship will receive a discount.The amount will be determined by the need based on the information provided by the student through the Financial Aid Overview Meeting and the Statement of Mitigating Circumstances.

International Students 

Requirements: Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service.

Requirement to write down an Essay with 500 words answering:

  • What are your academic and career goals? How would a degree from DMU aid you in fulfilling these plans? How has your understanding of DMU’s mission influenced your desire to pursue graduate studies at DMU? How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling your plans?

Please note that SDC students are not eligible to apply for any of these discounts.

For any questions or concerns please contact us at financialaid@divinemercy.edu

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Click Here for the Scholarship & Discount Form