Undergraduate Scholarships & Grants
In addition to the Federal and State grants available for qualifying students, Cal Lutheran offers scholarships and grants made possible through the generosity of donors.
Academic Merit
Eligibility determined by academic record.
Need
Eligibility based on financial need.
Creative Talent
Open to students of all majors with superior creative-talent in the creative arts.
Alumni Legacy
Open to the descendants of Cal Lutheran alumni.
Faith
Eligible students demonstrate service and leadership through their faith.
International
Open to international students.
Admission Merit Scholarship
For First-Year Students
Automatic Consideration – Offered to incoming first-year students based on academic performance and additional factors evaluated during the application review process.
$15,000 - $32,500
Admission Merit Scholarship
For Transfer Students
Automatic Consideration – Admission Scholarships for transfer students are based on a combination of college GPA and the number of transferable credits. Transfer students who are current members of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honors Society at their Community College will be considered for the highest transfer academic scholarship.
Up to $27,000
Presidential Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – Presidential Scholarships recognize and reward graduating high school seniors in the top tier of our applicant pool who embody the University’s educational and leadership goals. Students who come to campus for Honors Day will interview for the top scholarships offered by the University.
Up to full tuition
Public Price Promise
Automatic Consideration – You may be eligible to attend Cal Lutheran for the same average cost of attendance as University of California (UC) schools. Learn more
$32,500
Transfer Achievement Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – The Transfer Achievement Scholarship recognizes and rewards transfer students in the top tier of our applicant pool who embody the Universities educational and leadership goals. Students who come to campus for an on-campus interview will compete for the top transfer scholarships offered by the University.
Up to full tuition
Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Scholarship
Application Required – Incoming first-year and transfer applicants with superior creative-talent in the areas of Music, Theatre Arts, or Visual Art can apply and audition for a VAPA Scholarship prior to enrolling at Cal Lutheran.
$2,500 - full tuition
Steven Dorfman Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – Offered to first year applicants for admission, the Steven Dorfman Scholarship will be given to students who will pursue their studies at Cal Lutheran’s School of Management.
75% - full tuition
Global Scholars Program
Automatic Consideration – These scholarships are available for incoming students from each of the following regions: Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. The Global scholarships are renewable for subsequent years of enrollment. Up to $30,000 is offered to first-year students and up to $25,000 to transfers.
Up to $30,000
Swenson Scholarship
Application Required – The Swenson Scholarship is available to members of Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) congregations in Orange County, California, as well as Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry students.
50% of tuition and fees
Out-of-State Campus
Housing Grant
Automatic Consideration – All newly admitted students for Fall 2025 who live outside of California will receive an automatic $5,000 toward their annual on-campus housing costs. This housing grant is split equally between the fall and spring semesters and is renewable all four years while living in our residence halls.
$5,000
Community Scholars for Black Lives
Application Required – Cal Lutheran established the Community Scholars for Black Lives program to empower students to work in tandem with community leaders and create conditions for Black lives to flourish.
$5,000
Segel Americorps Education Award
Automatic Consideration – We offer a matching scholarship program, up to $4,000 per year, for students who participate in and earn a Segel Americorps Education Award. Learn more
Up to $4,000
ELCA Partners in Ministry Award
Automatic Consideration – Children of clergy who are on the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may be eligible. Learn more
$4,000
Alumni Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – If you are the child or grandchild of a Cal Lutheran graduate, then you're eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship per academic year of enrollment at Cal Lutheran.
$1,000
Norway America Association (NorAm) Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – Cal Lutheran offers scholarships to students who apply through the Norway America Association (NorAm). The scholarship amount remains the same for all years of attendance at Cal Lutheran.
Congregational Partners in Education (CPE) Award
Automatic Consideration – This scholarship allows congregations of any faith to assist outstanding students who have demonstrated a commitment to the life and work of their faith. Cal Lutheran will match gifts from the congregation in support of a student enrolled full-time up to $2,500 per academic year.
Matching gift up to $2,500
Convocators Scholarship
Application Required – Scholarships offered to first-year incoming and transfer Lutheran students who are nominated by Cal Lutheran Convocators and demonstrate the principles of Cal Lutheran's mission, thereby exhibiting confidence in their identity and vocation.
$2,500
TRIO/Upward Bound Scholarship
Application Required – Reserved for students who participate in qualifying TRiO based programs (Upward Bound and Talent Search). Students may apply for this scholarship if they apply to Cal Lutheran, complete the scholarship application, and submit a FAFSA by the deadline.
Apply
Federal Pell Grant
Application Required – Eligibility is based on Financial Need as determined by the FAFSA. To learn more about the Pell Grant, please visit studentaid.ed.gov.
Up to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Application Required – Eligibility is based on exceptional Financial Need as determined by the FAFSA. To learn more about FSEOG, please visit studentaid.ed.gov.
$2,500
Cal Grants
Application Required – This state grant is for California residents only and is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. The amount provided varies based on the institution the student attends and which grant they are offered. To be considered, students must file their FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and submit a completed GPA Verification Form no later than March 2. For more information on eligibility for the Cal Grant program and the GPA Verification Form process, please visit www.calgrants.org.
Up to $9,358
University Grant
Application Required – The University Grant is available to full-time undergraduate students and eligibility and amount is based on Financial Need as determined annually by completion of the FAFSA. The University Grant is a need-based grant and subject to adjustments based on the cost of attendance, Expected Family Contribution/Student Aid Index (EFC/SAI) and/or other federal, state or institutional assistance.
Occasionally University Grants may be replaced by endowed scholarship funds made possible through the donations from generous benefactors to Cal Lutheran. These types of changes will not affect the total financial aid package.
International Grant
International Grants are offered to International Students based on demonstrated Financial Need. If a student is offered an International Grant, the amount remains the same for all years of attendance at Cal Lutheran. The grant amount does not increase or decrease. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Access Grant
Application Required – Access Grants are offered to AB 540 students and eligibility and amount are determined by completion of the California Dream Application. There are limited grants available. If offered a grant, the amount remains the same for all years of attendance at Cal Lutheran. The grant amount does not increase or decrease.
Mary Barbara Price Lutheran Scholarship
Automatic Consideration – Offered to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate an interest in Lutheran tradition and values through volunteerism, community involvement, and academic pursuits at California Lutheran University.
Cal Lutheran Donor Scholarships
Application Required – Fill out a general application through the Cal Lutheran Scholarships system to be evaluated for eligibility for over 300 scholarships that have been provided to our students by our generous benefactors. The application period is announced based on the student type each year.
$500 - $2,500
Any combination of Cal Lutheran scholarships, grants, and awards may not exceed the amount of tuition. All students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards in order to be eligible for institutional aid. Undergraduate students must be registered full-time and meet required individual scholarship standards in order to maintain institutional scholarships.