Merit Scholarships
Academic scholarships are based on a comprehensive evaluation of your application; freshman through junior year. Academic scholarships range from $9,200 to $24,200 per year and are renewable for four years. If you qualify for an academic scholarship, you will be notified with your admissions decision letter.
To get a sense of how large of a scholarship you’ll receive at Canisius, simply match your current GPA to the amount below:
| GPA | Scholarship Name | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 98-100 | Ignatian Scholarship | $24,200 |
| 96-97 | Trustee's Scholarship | $23,200 |
| 93-95 | Peter Canisius Scholarship | $22,200 |
| 90-92 | Magis Scholarship | $20,200 |
| 87-89 | Dean's Scholarship | $16,200 |
| 85-86 | Benefactor Scholarship | $13,200 |
| 83-84 | Academic Scholarship | $9,200 |
| All | Visit and Apply Scholarship | $1,000 |
| All | Specialized Scholarships* | from $1,500 up to full tuition |
Specialized Scholarships
In addition to the merit scholarships offered to prospective freshmen, Canisius University has continued its commitment to affordable education with scholarship awards for students with special interests:
| Scholarship Name | Details | Deadline | Application/More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumni Grant | $1,000 per year for four years of full-time undergraduate study. Applicant must be the child of a Canisius University alumnus and accepted for admission. No separate application is required. | ||
| Army ROTC | Canisius participates in the Army ROTC program which offers scholarships to college-bound students interested in military service. | Learn More | |
| Buffalo Promise Scholarship | Covers 100% of undergraduate tuition after aid for eligible admitted students from Buffalo | 3/1/2026 | Learn More |
| Endowed Scholarships | Canisius is extremely grateful for the generosity of our donors who continue to provide financial assistance to students through the endowed scholarship program. Highly competitive and awarded on an individual basis, named scholarships | 1/19/2026 | |
| Hassett Creative Writing Scholarship | The Hassett Family Creative Writing Scholarship is renewable for four years of undergraduate study at Canisius University provided that the recipient remains a declared creative writing major and maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Lee Foundation Scholarship Fund | The Lee Foundation Scholarship Fund supports freshmen and upperclassmen pursuing degrees in the fields of study Finance, Data Science, Computer Science, and Math. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Canisius Out-of-State Achievement Scholarship | $3,000 per year for four years of full-time undergraduate study for students who reside outside of New York State. | ||
| MLK Scholarship | As one of the 27 Jesuit universities across the country, social justice is an integral part of Canisius University. We are grounded in the Jesuit philosophy of "men and women for others." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was at the forefront of social justice in America and we honor him with our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Music Scholarship | The Fine Arts Department offers $1,500 scholarships for outstanding musicians. The scholarships are in addition to merit awards and are renewable for four years. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Greater Rochester Area Award | $2,000 for students who reside in Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne Counties. | ||
| Say Yes Program | The Say Yes Scholarship at Canisius University is a mission-based initiative that will help connect our core values as a Jesuit, service-based institution and strengthen our connection to the surrounding Buffalo community. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Studio Art Scholarship | The Fine Arts Department offers $1,500 scholarships to outstanding artists. The scholarships are in addition to merit awards and are renewable for four years. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |
| Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC) Scholarship | The program aims to create the next generation of leaders by focusing on students from populations that historically have been denied access to positions of influence and power in the community. | 1/19/2026 | Learn More |