Syracuse University Merit Scholarship 2027 | Study in United States — Syracuse University
A full-tuition top tier named after the university’s founding year is a distinctive touch, and Syracuse’s scholarship structure backs it up with a genuinely wide range below it too.
About the Scholarship
Syracuse University automatically considers international applicants for merit scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 per year, awarded at the point of admission with no separate scholarship application. The university’s top tier, the 1870 Scholarship, covers full tuition for its strongest admitted students.
Syracuse has built a particularly strong international student community over the years, with students from well over 100 countries represented on campus, and its scholarship structure reflects an effort to remain genuinely accessible across that wide range of applicant backgrounds rather than concentrating funding narrowly.
Naming its top scholarship after the university’s 1870 founding year is also a small but deliberate branding choice, tying the most prestigious award directly to the institution’s own history rather than using a generic “presidential” or “trustee” label common at many other universities.
Scholarship Benefits
- Awards ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 per year
- A full-tuition 1870 Scholarship tier for the strongest applicants
- Results delivered alongside your admission offer, with no separate waiting period
- No separate scholarship application required
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be an international applicant for undergraduate admission to Syracuse University
- You must submit your complete application by the November 15 deadline
- You must meet Syracuse’s academic standards for merit consideration
- You must maintain satisfactory academic standing to keep annual renewal
Fields of Study Covered
Open to incoming international undergraduates across Syracuse’s colleges and majors, with no restriction by field of study.
Required Documents
- A completed Syracuse University undergraduate admission application
- Academic transcripts
- Standardized test scores, where submitted
- English proficiency documentation, as required for international applicants
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for undergraduate admission to Syracuse University as an international applicant
- Submit your complete application by the November 15 deadline for automatic merit scholarship consideration
- Submit transcripts and any required test scores
- Scholarship results are delivered alongside your admission decision
Selection Process
Syracuse’s admissions committee evaluates each international applicant’s academic record to determine both admission and merit scholarship tier, with the strongest applicants considered for the full-tuition 1870 Scholarship and others placed across the broader $5,000 to $30,000 range.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Submit your complete application by November 15 to be considered for the automatic merit scholarships
- Submit the strongest possible academic transcript, since tier placement is directly tied to your academic profile
- Treat your full admission application as your scholarship case, since there’s no separate essay
- Compare this against other wide-range automatic scholarships like the University of Rochester’s International Merit Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate scholarship application?
No, international applicants are automatically considered through the regular admission process.
What is the 1870 Scholarship?
It is Syracuse’s top merit scholarship tier, covering 100% of tuition, named after the university’s founding year.
When will I know my scholarship amount?
Results are provided alongside your admission offer, with no separate notification period.
Is the scholarship renewable each year?
Confirm Syracuse’s current renewal policy, since requirements for maintaining the award across years can vary.
What is the application deadline?
November 15 for automatic merit scholarship consideration.
Does my intended major affect my scholarship tier?
No, scholarship consideration applies broadly across Syracuse’s colleges and majors rather than favoring specific fields of study.
Can I combine this scholarship with need-based financial aid?
Check Syracuse’s current financial aid policy on combining merit scholarships with any available need-based support for international students.
Is a separate scholarship essay required?
No, your regular admission essays are what the merit review considers; no separate scholarship-specific essay is required.
Can transfer students receive this scholarship?
This scholarship profile covers incoming undergraduate applicants generally; confirm Syracuse’s current policy on transfer student eligibility specifically.
Does housing or meal plan cost factor into the award amount?
Confirm Syracuse’s current scholarship terms directly, since coverage typically applies to tuition rather than housing or meal costs unless otherwise stated.