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 by internal scholarships.
These scholarships are specifically for prospective and current students at DMU. Questions about the Scholarship Program can be addressed to the DMU Financial Aid Office at financialaid@divinemercy.edu.
Please review and complete the scholarship application, and submit it according to the instructions noted. Supporting documentation may also be required and should be submitted along with the Scholarship Application.
Please submit all scholarship essays and supporting documents to financialaid@divinemercy.edu
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- 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.
- To expedite this process the applicant must complete the DMU Scholarship Program Application (noted as Addendum A) in its entirety. This includes providing all supporting documents required for particular scholarships and the completion of all forms applicable to Student Financial Aid Services at the time of submission.
- Please carefully review each scholarship to ensure you meet its requirements.
Please note:
- Before submitting your scholarship application, 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).
- Students may be awarded a maximum of two DMU scholarship/aid opportunities.
- Each scholarship below requires official documentation verifying you meet the specification(s) for the scholarship(s) for which you are applying.
- Your scholarship application will not be considered until all supporting documentation has been submitted, the Application Form Addendum A has been completed and signed the applicant.
- Examples of supporting documentation include official letters from organizations verifying the following:
- Membership or affiliation
- Current employment status with qualifying organization
- Appropriate military verification for you and/or qualifying household member
- Verification of vocational status
Scholarships for ALL DMU Programs
The following scholarship opportunities are for new students applying to any DMU program.
Newman Scholarship – up to $5,000
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who graduated from a Cardinal Newman Society endorsed college or university. To verify if your school is endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society, review the information found at the following link: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/program/the-newman-guide/.The following requirements need to be met in order to be considered for this scholarship:
Requirements:
- Transcripts demonstrating your achievement of an undergraduate degree at a Cardinal Newman Society endorsed school.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA
- Essay: Compose an essay (1000 words max.) that highlights the questions below:
- How has your experience at a Newman endorsed college or university prepared you for this pursuit?
- How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling those plans?
- What are your mission/service-based and career/academic goals?
Faith and Hope Scholarship – up to 25% scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study at DMU. Those eligible for this need-based scholarship include: Archdiocesan/diocesan workers such as priests, religious, and lay personnel employed by a diocese, Consecrated Members of a religious order, Consecrated Members of the Legionaries of Christ or Regnum Christi, Members of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Missionaries of charitable organizations, and lastly, employees and full-time volunteers for charitable service organizations.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Essay: Compose an essay (1000 words max.) that highlights the questions below:
- What are your mission/service-based career/academic goals?
- How have your past or current ministry activities and experiences prepared you for this pursuit?
- How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling those plans?
Patriot Scholarship – 10% scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who are eligible veterans, spouse/dependents, active duty military, reservists, and/or retired military.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Please supply the appropriate documentation verifying the military status which qualifies you for this scholarship.
- Eligibility is dependent upon good standing or honorable discharge status with the military.
Public Servant Scholarship— 10% scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who are currently in a position of public service. Such positions include educators, first responders roles such as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and hospital workers.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which you are applying.
- Please supply the appropriate documentation verifying the public servant status which qualifies you for this scholarship.
International Student Scholarship – up to $3,000
Description: This scholarship is a need-based scholarship for students enrolling in a new program of study at DMU who meet the criteria to be considered International Students.
An international student is considered to be a student who is NOT a U.S. citizen and NOT a U.S. permanent resident. Students who hold F1, F2, J1, J2, or G series visas or other eligible non-citizens (humanitarian parole, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, refugee status, asylum) are considered international students. Please note that these are a few of the many visas and immigration categories that international students may hold. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, or applicants who are eligible to receive U.S. federal financial assistance are NOT eligible to apply for this scholarship.
The amount awarded for this scholarship is determined by both the applicant’s financial need – as demonstrated by the DMU International Certification of Income form – and a supporting bank letter, and the applicant’s academic accomplishments and service goals. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service.
This scholarship can be applied to billable DMU expenses (tuition and fees). The scholarship does NOT cover non-billable expenses such as mandatory health insurance, books, airline tickets and miscellaneous expenses (approximately U.S. $4,000).
The following requirements need to be met for the applicant to be considered to receive this scholarship:
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Proper documentation verifying international student status must be submitted. If relocation to U.S. is required by academic program (applicable to Psy.D. applicants only), the applicant must ultimately be cleared for the U.S. Visa appropriate for pursuing graduate studies at DMU.
- Submission of a bank letter and the DMU International Certification of Income form – each demonstrating the financial capability to cover remaining tuition, fees, and additional expenses. For more information about, or to receive these forms, please email our Financial Aid Office at financialaid@divinemercy.edu. Once the forms are completed, these can be scanned and emailed as PDF attachments to the same address.
- Submission of TOEFL scores, demonstrating excellence in English communication, meeting score requirements noted in Admissions policies. Please note that TOEFL scores are only required for this scholarship if they are required by your admissions representative.
- Essay: Compose an essay (1000 words max.) that highlights your particular motivation and qualifications to pursue graduate studies at Divine Mercy University. As you demonstrate your candidacy for this scholarship, please include the following elements in your essay: 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?
Scholarships for ALL DMU programs and ALL DMU Students
The following scholarship opportunities are available to all current and new students, in any DMU graduate program.
The Diversity Scholarship – up to $3,000
Description: This scholarship is for current DMU Students and students enrolling in a new program of study. The purpose of the diversity scholarship is to promote a cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic diversity in our student body. This enriches and expands DMU’s academic community by recognizing and supporting students from underserved groups, including first-generation graduate students with diverse talents, interests and life experiences. Scholarship recipients are expected to contribute to multicultural awareness and share their diverse perspectives and unique strengths through their participation and contributions in the classroom and through involvement in University activities.
This scholarship is awarded to students who best exemplify the purpose of the Diversity Scholarship. Priority for the Diversity Scholarship is given to students with financial need as defined by federal guideline and who are “first generation” graduate students (neither parent has a four-year college degree from any country). Preference is given to U.S. citizens who exemplify the diversity goals of this scholarship. International students are not eligible for this scholarship.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Applicants to this scholarship may include all citizens, nationals, and permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card) of the United States, as well as individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
- NOTE: Applicants to this scholarship must also complete the special section of the Scholarship Application Form (Addendum A) titled “Diversity Scholarship.”
- Essay: Compose an essay (1000 words max.) that highlights your particular motivation and qualifications to pursue graduate studies at Divine Mercy University. As you demonstrate your candidacy for this scholarship, please address the following elements in the essay: 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?
Matching Scholarship— Up to $2,000
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who have sponsor or organization backed funding paid to DMU on the student’s behalf. Some examples include Knights of Columbus, VFWs, local churches, NAACP, Hispanic League, private sponsors, and service organizations.
- Supporting documentation is required for each organization contributing to the matching scholarship.
- Funds from personal sponsors (such as family or friends) are not accepted in the matching scholarship opportunity.
- Earned education credit does not qualify for Matching Scholarships.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Please supply the appropriate documentation verifying support from matching organizations indicating support amounts at the time of scholarship application.
- Matching organizations must submit their funding before DMU grants the matching portion.
- Additional support documentation may be requested upon review of scholarship application.
Term Scholarships
Description: These special internal aid opportunities are awarded for one designated term such as one academic year and are not eligible for annual renewal.
The Grant in Aid Scholarship – up to $3,500
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- Additional support documentation may be requested upon review of scholarship application.
- Essay: Please compose an essay (500 word max.) that outlines the following:
- Your particular need for this scholarship
- How this scholarship will allow continued pursuit of the academic program of which you are enrolled in at DMU.
Scholarships for Specific DMU Programs
The following scholarship opportunities are available for applicants actively applying for admission to a specific program OR for applicants who meet specific application deadlines.
M.S. in Counseling Scholarship – up to 50% scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who are seeking admission to either the M.S. in Counseling program. There are a limited number of these scholarships. They are granted subject to availability.
Requirements:
- 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.
- Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the course of their program.
- Essay: Compose an essay (2500 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:
- Describe personal intent and goals after completion of Masters in counseling program.
- What are special or unique qualifications you bring to the academic community?
- What are special interest areas of study you hope to address during your time at DMU?
- How does this scholarship aid you in fulfilling those plans?
Psy.D. Transfer Scholarship—$2500
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who have completed a MS/MA degree in a field directly related to clinical psychology and are accepted in the Psy.D. program. This scholarship may only be awarded one time per student.
Requirements:
- Graduate official transcripts with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above
- Final approval by DMU’s Admissions Committee of transferability of the MS/MA held by the applicant.
- To be considered for this scholarship, at least 15 credit hours of the applicant’s MA/MS coursework must qualify for and be approved for transfer by the DMU Admissions Committee/Dean of IPS.
St. Ireneaus Scholarship—$13,750
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 granted per year for an aggregate total of $13,750. Please consult the Financial Aid Office prior to application as this endowment may already have been granted for the year.
Requirements:
- Demonstrate academic achievement by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Have financial and family needs.
St. Martin de Porres Scholarship—$1000
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling or enrolled in the Psy.D. program. There is only one granted per year. Please consult the Financial Aid office prior to application as this scholarship may already have been granted for the year.
Requirements:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the Psy.D. program.
- Essay: Please compose an essay (500 word max.) that outlines the following:
- Your particular need for this scholarship
- How this scholarship will allow continued pursuit of the academic program of which you are enrolled in at DMU.
Early Admission Scholarship: Institutional
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:
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of study for which the applicant is applying.
- 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.
- Applicants must pay their application fee in order to secure this scholarship.
- Applicants must be new applicants to the program. Previous or deferred applicants are ineligible to receive this scholarship for the same program of study.
NOTE:
This scholarship, and exclusively this scholarship, is exempt from the two-maximum award policy. This means the student could be awarded the Early Admission Scholarship and still potentially receive up to two additional aid opportunities.
Christendom Scholarship – $2,000
Description: This scholarship is for students enrolling in a new program of study who have graduated from
Christendom College. This scholarship may only be awarded one time per student.
Requirements:
- Undergraduate official transcripts
- GPA must meet the minimum criteria specific to the program of interest.
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For additional information regarding tuition reduction for DMU’s Memorandum of Understanding partners, contact your Admissions representative or Financial Aid.