Incoming First-Year Students
2025-26 Scholarships
Ripon College’s extensive scholarship program is designed to recognize and reward applicants for their talents and abilities. We provide 100 percent of our undergraduate students with financial assistance and make it our mission to ensure a great economic and educational value per every dollar spent. With every student receiving at least $30,000 in merit aid, we are confident you will find a Ripon education more affordable than many similar private colleges and in some cases state universities. International applicants and Transfer/Re-entry applicants should visit their respective sections for more information on scholarships.
Academic Scholarships
$30,000 to $40,000 per year
Ripon College academic scholarships are reviewed on a rolling basis following acceptance to the College. The admission application, along with its supporting documentation, is reviewed to determine eligibility for all scholarships.
The scholarship committee will begin consideration for an academic scholarship for those students who have achieved academically and have demonstrated leadership and service in their high school communities. All Ripon scholarships and grants are applied towards tuition only and disbursed each year, by semester the student is enrolled.
Full Tuition
The Knop Science Scholarship is a prestigious four-year, full-tuition scholarship based on 2025-2026 tuition figures. The Ripon College Knop Science Scholars Board convenes each year at the beginning of the second semester. The mission of the board is to identify high-achieving students who show the potential to contribute greatly to the science and mathematics departments at Ripon College as well as those who will benefit the most from special scholarly opportunities.
This is an invitation only scholarship. Invitations to apply will be sent to accepted students in early January 2025. Invited students will be asked to submit a five-minute video describing their background, experiences, interests and/or career goals in an area of the sciences or mathematics. This video must be submitted to the admission office by March 1, 2025.
$2,500 Per Year
Dr. Woolley invites all admitted students who have an interest in pursuing history as a major on campus to apply for this scholarship. For consideration as a candidate, you are asked to write Dr. Woolley an essay, no more than two pages in length, indicating your interest in being considered for the award, a description of what led to your interest in history, and any personal extraordinary experiences, background and opportunities that may pertain to your interest in history. Dr. Woolley will review all essays. Letters must be submitted to the admission office by March 1, 2025.
Fine Arts Scholarships
Up to $1,000 per year
Students with ability in the area of theatre will be invited to audition or interview with faculty for these scholarships. The student must have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing theatre at Ripon College though a major in theatre is not required. Renewal is contingent on the following criteria: enroll in at least one Theatre Department production per year and a total participation of six productions over the course of a student’s four years at the College, maintain enrollment as a full-time student, and maintain satisfactory progress toward a four-year degree as published in the Ripon College Catalog. If you’re a high school senior student interested in auditioning for a theatre scholarship, click here.
Up to $1,000 per year
Students with ability in the area of studio art will be invited to campus for a portfolio review with faculty for these scholarships. The student must have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing studio art at Ripon College. Majoring or minoring in studio art is not required. Renewal is contingent on the following criteria: enrollment in at least one studio art course per year; maintain enrollment as a full-time student; and maintain satisfactory progress toward a four-year degree as published in the Ripon College Catalog. If you’re a high school senior student interested in auditioning for a studio art scholarship, click here.
Up to $5,000 per year
Students with ability in the area of music will be invited to audition with faculty for these scholarships. The student must have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing music at Ripon College though a major in music is not required. Renewal is contingent on the following criteria: enroll in at least one Music Department ensemble each semester, maintain enrollment as a full-time student and maintain satisfactory progress toward a four-year degree as published in the Ripon College Catalog. If you’re a high school senior student interested in auditioning for a music scholarship, click here.
Other Awards and Scholarships
The scholarships and awards listed below will be bestowed upon an applicant after review of the admission application by the scholarship committee. All scholarships and awards from Ripon College are stackable up to $40,000 per year. Additional institutional aid based on financial need also may be available.
Loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid. Loan funds are intended to assist a student in educational expenses only. Students and families should consider their future loan debt and ability to repay before committing to borrow.
$3,000 per year for up to four years
- Your essay must be one page in length or a minimum of 300 words.
- Format your essay in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double spaced.
- Your essay must be submitted to [email protected] by March 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST to be considered.
Up to $2,000 per year
The legacy award is given to those students who are continuing the family tradition by attending Ripon College. Students are eligible if their grandparents, parents or siblings have attended or are attending Ripon College.
Up to $2,000 for first year
Those students who are interested in pursuing a full Army ROTC scholarship are eligible for the ROTC Enhancement Grant. The introductory military science course is required to be taken in the first year on campus.
Up to $2,000 per year
The UCC Award was established to recognize a student’s commitment and dedication to the UCC Church. Students are eligible by demonstrating volunteer activities as well as leadership within their church.
Up to $2,000 per year
The Ripon College Diversity Award was established to attract talented students who show an invested interest in the advancement of diversity. Students who demonstrate involvement working with diverse communities or organizations are eligible for this award. Eligibility criteria also include a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity and the willingness to share various cultural perspectives at Ripon College. To apply for this scholarship, students should highlight their experiences or involvement with diversity and inclusivity in the essay portion of the application for admission.
Links to Free Outside Scholarship Search tools:
BigFuture.org
Bold.org
CareerOneStop.org
CollegeScholarships.org
FastWeb.com
FinAid.org
The Talent Incentive Program Grants (TIP) aids low-income and disadvantaged Wisconsin students with additional college funding to help reduce the student’s amount of loan, work-study or unmet need. Online application is located here.
Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans may be included as part of a need-based financial aid package. Payments on principal and interest are deferred as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time. The interest rate is 6.53% for 2024-2025.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are awarded to students not eligible for the subsidized loan. Interest accrues to the student while in school but may be deferred and capitalized prior to entering repayment. The interest rate is 6.53% for 2024-2025.
The U.S. Department of Education requires all first-time federal direct loan borrowers to complete an Loan Entrance Counseling session and sign a Master Promissory Note prior to receiving their loan proceeds. Please also note the Code of Conduct for Educational Loans.
Please visit studentaid.gov for more information regarding student loans and up-to-date information regarding various relief opportunities for federal student loans including loan amounts and payments.
Loans are available to parents of dependent students to help cover the difference between the cost of attendance and any financial aid awarded to the student. Parents have the option of the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) and loans offered by private lenders. For a comparison on these options click here.
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Detailed information, visit studentaid.gov
Various private lenders offer educational loans. These include loans to students (with and without co-signers), as well as to parents. Interest rates, deferment options and annual/aggregate maximum loan amounts vary by lender. To compare loan options through various lenders Ripon College students have utilized in the past, click here.
For more information about these resources, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
If you have a private loan and would like more information on how to set up your account with your loan servicer, click here: Private Lenders Contact Information.
INTERESTED IN RIPON?
SEE WHAT’S NEXT.
Whether you’re ready to apply or want more information, we’ll send you in the right direction. Take the next step toward your extraordinary future today.