Scholarships & Grants
Merit Scholarships
Academically-based merit scholarships are awarded to qualified, full-time, incoming freshmen who displayed academic excellence in high school. Amounts awarded are determined by a combination of factors including but not limited to SAT scores, cumulative GPA, and extracurricular activities. These merit scholarships are awarded as each application is processed, and the FAFSA is not required for consideration of these awards. Merit scholarships are fully renewable as long as students maintain satisfactory academic progress while studying at Nichols. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and continue to be enrolled full-time while completing 12 credit hours or more per semester.
Scholarships for International Students
Nichols College welcomes students from all around the globe. If you’re coming to Nichols from countries outside of the United States, our international scholarships, awards, and grants can help take your thoughts from “How am I going to pay for school?” to “I can’t wait to get to school.”
Financial Aid
Nichols requires only one financial aid form for applying for financial aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA information determines your eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional need-based financial aid.
The priority deadline for submitting the FAFSA each year for fall admission is March 15th. All requested documents must be received by June 1st. Meeting these deadlines helps ensure consideration for limited sources of State, Federal, and Institutional Aid programs. Be aware that most states, including Massachusetts, have a priority deadline of May 1st for state scholarship eligibility. Late applicants are usually ineligible for state funds. Those who fail to meet the priority deadline may still apply any time during the award year. For more information on FAFSA and other financial aid options, visit our Financial Aid Page.
President’s Achievement Scholarship
- $25,000
- GPA 3.50 and above
Provost’s Achievement Scholarship
- $20,000
- GPA 2.50 – 3.49
Dean’s Achievement Scholarship
- $15,000
- GPA 2.00 – 2.49
Restricted and endowed scholarships are subject to change and based on the availability of funds and interest earned on funds.
For a complete listing of financial aid and scholarship programs, including criteria governing the selection of recipients, please consult the Financial Aid section of the Nichols College Catalog.
Keith T. Anderson ’81 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a Nichols College student who is enrolled in the 3+1 Program and intends to obtain a Master’s of Science in Accounting degree.
Wayne Archambo ’81 Endowed Scholarship supports a returning student who demonstrates financial need, resides in Central Massachusetts, and maintains a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
Randy ’83 MBA ’96 and Donna ’83 Becker Scholarship is awarded to a first-year student who seeks a degree at Nichols College and demonstrates financial need; preference is given to students from Webster.
John F. Birch Jr. ’73 Memorial Scholarship, created by the parents and estate of John F. Birch, class of 1973, is awarded to a rising senior specializing in accounting with proven academic excellence and financial need.
Oliver W. Birckhead ’42 Endowed Scholarship, created in memory of Mr. Birckhead by his wife Jane, a Nichols trustee, is awarded to a student who maintains a 2.5 GPA, shows leadership qualities, and maintains an overall balance of academics, co-curricular activities and campus community involvement.
Don Chalmers ’59 Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need, academic achievement and community involvement.
Hal Chalmers/Elks Scholarship is awarded to a student from Dudley, Webster, or Oxford who demonstrates financial need.
Class of ’54 Scholarship is awarded to a student who resides on campus; selection is based on GPA, financial need, and commitment to Nichols College.
Class of 1954 Scholarship is awarded to a student who resides on campus; selection is based on GPA, financial need, and commitment to Nichols College.
Class of ’57 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a rising junior who has shown steady improvement in GPA and an increasing commitment to the Nichols College community through student and local activities.
Class of ’63 Endowed Scholarship is intended to reward and encourage the continued growth and potential of a rising sophomore or junior who demonstrates financial need and who maintains a GPA of 3.0 or better. Preference is given to students who are active in the Nichols College and local communities; special consideration is given to students who have been honorably discharged from any of the five United States Military Armed Services.
Class of ’64 Endowed Scholarship (in memory of Patrick E. Donnelly) is awarded to a rising sophomore, junior or senior who has demonstrated financial need and who maintains a GPA of 2.75 or better. Preference is given to students who are involved in co-curricular activities at Nichols or in the local community unless they are working full or part time to support their college education.
Class of ’65 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore or junior who demonstrates financial need; special consideration is given to students who have been honorably discharged from any of the five United States Military Armed Services.
Class of ’66 Endowed Scholarship is given to a rising sophomore, junior or senior who is majoring in accounting, finance, marketing or management; special preference is given to commuter students and special consideration is given to students who have been honorably discharged from any of the five U.S. Military Armed Services.
Class of ’67 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a returning sophomore who successfully completes the first year, demonstrates financial need, and plans to graduate from Nichols College.
Col. James L. Conrad Memorial Scholarship, named for the founder and first president of Nichols College, assists a resident of northern Worcester County (Leominster north to the New Hampshire line) based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership potential, and financial need.
Professor Keith Corkum Endowed Scholarship in Economics recognizes excellence in the study of economics at Nichols College, and is given to a junior or senior majoring or minoring in economics based on academic achievement and service to the Nichols community.
Stephen A. Davis ’80 Endowed Scholarship supports an incoming or returning student from Western Massachusetts (Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire counties.)
Peter B. Dixon Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need; preference is given to a student from Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, N.J.
James Dunbar Scholarship in Criminal Justice Management, named for former trustee and founder of Dunbar Armored, James L. Dunbar ’51, is awarded to a junior or senior specializing in criminal justice management based on academic achievement and service to the Nichols community.
Faucher Family Endowed Scholarship is given to a permanent resident of Thompson, Conn., and based on financial need.
Fels Commuter Scholarship for Webster and Dudley Residents is given by Gerald Fels ’66 and his wife, Marilyn, to Dudley and Webster residents who commute to Nichols College. An award of $5,000 a year for a maximum value of $20,000 is given to students who are accepted at Nichols and who file a FAFSA application.
Joan Fels Endowed Scholarships are donated by Marilyn and Gerald Fels in memory of his mother, Joan Fels, to support permanent residents of Webster and Dudley who are graduating high school seniors from Bartlett, Shepherd Hill, or other area high schools.
Fischer Scholarship is awarded to a junior with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who is involved in the Washington Internship Program.
George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation Scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need.
Russell E. Fuller Endowed Scholarship is awarded to Hispanic/Latino students from Central Massachusetts.
James C. Gahan IV Endowed Scholarship, named in memory of Nichols student James C. Gahan ’04, is awarded to a junior or senior with at least 60 hours of coursework completed and specializing in general business or business communication.
The Gould Generational Scholarship, created to honor the three generations of the Gould family who attended Nichols College, is awarded to a qualified student or students with demonstrated financial need.
Thomas J. Hall ’69 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a returning student who resides in Connecticut. Preference is given to those who have experienced some form of personal or financial hardship. This scholarship is in memory of Fred Tobin and Earle Mullare, uncles of Mr. Hall, who made it possible for him to attend Nichols.
Jeffrey A. Halprin Liberal Arts Scholarship, named for English Professor Jeff Halprin, is given to a sophomore, junior, senior who excels in a liberal arts major, as measured by a 3.3 GPA or above.
John M. Harrison ’68 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to an incoming or returning student who enters Nichols with or maintains a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
The Hermann Foundation Scholarship, created by the trustees of the Hermann Foundation, Inc. assists students who have financial need but do not qualify for federal or state assistance programs.
Barry D. Hogan ’67 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore, junior or senior who is in good standing, has clear plans and a strong desire to graduate from Nichols College, and demonstrates financial need; preference is given to those who have experienced some form of personal or financial hardship.
Pat and Al Houston Endowed Scholarship, created by Al Houston, former Nichols College trustee, and his wife, is awarded to an incoming student, one male and one female.
Edwin L. Hubbard Faculty Scholarship, created by and honoring the late Professor Emeritus Edwin Hubbard, is given to a deserving student who is an outstanding scholar in the sophomore class.
Jeff Johnson ’90 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore who has demonstrated a marked improvement from the first semester to the second semester based on GPA and college involvement; preference is given to students from Charlton, Sutton, Oxford, Webster, Dudley or Worcester. A statement citing a reason for the improvement is required.
Professor John Katori/Class of 1955 Scholarship is given to a rising junior; preference is given to students specializing in accounting.
Lafayette Keeney ’49 Endowed Scholarship, established in memory of Mr. Keeney by his friends and family, is given to a deserving Nichols student.
Robert B. Kuppenheimer Scholarship, named for trustee Robert B. Kuppenheimer ’69, supports up to eight worthy students who reside west of the Mississippi River who receive solid recommendations from their guidance counselors.
David F. Lombard ’65 Endowed Scholarship supports a rising sophomore who demonstrates financial need.
John H. McClutchy, Jr. ’72 Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Professor William Steglitz is given to a student who demonstrates financial need and an aptitude for quantitative analysis; preference is given to a graduate of one of these high schools: Thompson (public or parochial); parochial schools in Windham /Worcester counties; Shepherd Hill; Bartlett; Southbridge; Burrillville; and public schools in Windham/Worcester counties.
Massachusetts Association of Public Accountants Scholarship is given to a student of high academic achievement who specializes in accounting.
Philip Pettinelli ’71 Endowed Scholarship is given to a new or returning student who is a resident of Southbridge, Massachusetts, and/or a graduate of Southbridge High School.
Claire and Shelly Power Endowed Scholarship, created by Trustee Marty Power ’78 in honor of his mother and wife, is given to a female student who has graduated from Southbridge High School; preference is based on financial need and academic performance.
Marilyn and Earl Prolman Endowed Scholarship is given to a rising junior who has solid plans to graduate from Nichols and pursue a career in business; preference is given to a student enrolled in the Entrepreneurial Certificate Program.
President’s Scholarship is awarded to a female returning student (sophomore, junior or senior) who maintains a GPA of 3.0 or greater and who demonstrates leadership engagement in the Nichols community.
The Rock Family Scholarship, created by Al Rock ’63, is given to a returning student who demonstrates financial need, majors in management, and actively gives back to the Nichols and broader communities.
R. Joseph Salois ’98 Endowed Scholarship supports an adult or non-traditional student who is seeking an undergraduate degree and demonstrates financial need.
John R. Suleski Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior from either Tourtellotte High School or Woodstock Academy.
President Debra Townsley Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a returning female sophomore with financial need, academic promise, leadership potential, commitment to the College and the desire to complete a bachelor’s degree at Nichols College.
Daniel Van Leuvan Memorial Scholarship for Education supports a second-semester junior enrolled in the Educator Preparation Program and is based on financial need, academic achievement, and overall contribution to the Nichols community.
Robert J. Vaudreuil ’77 Endowed Scholarship is given to a new or returning student who demonstrates financial need; preference is given to first generation college students.
James D. Wagner ’59 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a male student who has been professionally diagnosed and documented with dyslexia, demonstrates financial need, and has intention to complete a bachelor’s degree from Nichols College.
Wenk Scholarship, established by Norman Wenk ’42, is given to a resident of Mattituck, N.Y., who attends Nichols College.
Tammy Cardillo Wolf ’94 Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a female student, rising sophomore, junior or senior, who has a GPA of 2.5 or above, demonstrates financial need, is committed to earning a bachelor’s degree from Nichols, and is actively involved with the Institute for Women’s Leadership.
Deb and Paul Zimmerman Endowed Scholarship is given to a U.S. citizen who demonstrates financial need, is enrolled full time at Nichols, is involved in community activities, and maintains at least a 2.5 GPA; preference is given to students who express a willingness to contribute to a scholarship fund as a graduate. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or other professional is required.
We want to talk to you!
We’re here to help—and we want to talk to you! If you have questions about our scholarships and grants, contact our Student Financial Services office by email at sfs@nichols.edu or by phone at 508-213-2288.
If you’re looking to learn about the exciting academic programs offered at Nichols, request more information today.