Grants & Scholarships
Grants and scholarships are a form of gift aid, which means that they do not need to be paid back.
A scholarship is a form of financial assistance that does not require repayment or employment, and which is usually offered to students who show potential for distinction, or who possess certain characteristics important to the scholarship provider (such as religious beliefs, hobbies, ethnicity, etc.).
A grant is a form of aid that does not need to be paid back and is typically based on need. Need-based grants require students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they qualify.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
Carthage administers an aggressive merit scholarship program. These awards are made at the time of admission without regard to financial need. Several of these scholarships are competitive and require a special application, while others are awarded automatically. They are based upon demonstrated academic achievement to date and the potential to succeed. Available for up to four years of continuous, full-time undergraduate enrollment, each requires maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA at the end of each spring semester.
Learn more about Carthage’s merit scholarships for incoming students
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS
Carthage offers continuing students an opportunity to compete for merit awards, such as Intellectual Foundations Scholarships, Departmental Honors, Service Fellowships, and selected endowed scholarships. These require faculty recommendations and may have additional stipulations as developed by the department donor. Students should watch The Bridge for scholarship news. Carthage also notifies students of outside scholarships through The Bridge and the financial aid website.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are for undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree, and who have financial need as determined by the FAFSA. A Federal Pell Grant does not need to be repaid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is for full-time undergraduate students with exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA. These funds are limited and do not need to be repaid.
TEACH Grant
TEACH Grants are for qualifying students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching. Eligibility is based on multiple factors and recipients agree to completing a teaching service obligation.
Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG)
Carthage College will match, dollar for dollar, the Wisconsin Tuition Grant! The Wisconsin Tuition Grant is a need-based grant that does not need to be repaid. Grants range from $250-$4,100 per year. For new incoming students in Fall 2023 and later, eligible for the Wisconsin Tuition Grant, Carthage College will match dollar for dollar up to $3,800 per year.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Academic Excellence Scholarships are awarded to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in each public and private high school throughout the State of Wisconsin. The value of the scholarship is $2,250 per year, to be applied towards tuition. Half of the scholarship is funded by the state, while the other half is matched by the institution.
Hearing and Visually Impaired Student Grant
The state offers funding for Wisconsin residents who demonstrate financial need and have severe or profound hearing or visual impairment. Students are eligible to receive up to $1,800 per year for up to five years. The FAFSA must be filed in order to qualify for this grant, and the student must be at least half-time.
Indigenous Peoples Student Assistance
The State of Wisconsin offers funding through its Indian Student Assistance Grant, up to $1,100 per year to any Wisconsin resident who is at least 25 percent Native American and is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate program for up to 10 semesters. Students who apply early and demonstrate exceptional financial need will be nominated by the Carthage Office of Student Financial Services.
Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant
This grant program provides limited funds to selected minority students with exceptional financial need. Students must be nominated in their sophomore year. The FAFSA must be filed to be considered.
Minority Teacher Loan (forgivable loan program)
The state offers a forgivable loan to any full-time, eligible junior or senior enrolled in a Teacher Certification Program with a minimum GPA of 2.50. This loan ranges up to $2,500 per year for a maximum of two years. Twenty-five percent of the loan is forgiven for each year spent teaching in an eligible school. Students who apply early and demonstrate exceptional financial need, will be nominated by the Carthage Office of Student Financial Services. For more information, visit www.heab.state.wi.us/programs.
Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP)
This state program provides grants to students who demonstrate exceptional need. Students who qualify may be nominated in their freshman year through Carthage to the state agency or can apply for this program at their Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program (WEOP) Office. Once accepted, this aid lasts for four years.The FAFSA must also be filed to be considered for the Talent Incentive Program Grant.
In addition to a broad range of federal and state Programs, Carthage supplements these awards with a generous commitment of institutional need-based grants. The Financial Grant is just one form of institutional aid in which the amount varies based on need and completion of the FAFSA.