“The future of our country depends upon enlightened leadership, upon the truly educated—understanding—citizen.” —President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Gettysburg College has a long history of civic engagement with students and alumni making a difference in their communities and the world. The Eisenhower Scholarship is designed to recognize outstanding first-year applicants to Gettysburg College who are also positively transforming their communities.
Gettysburg College’s unique location—situated in a world-famous town that is known for a defining moment in American history and is only 80 minutes from Washington, D.C.—provides students access and opportunity to effect change through political and non-political processes.
The Eisenhower Scholarship is Gettysburg College’s most selective scholarship—$172,000 for four years of full-time study ($43,000 per year). It is awarded to top-performing applicants within a most challenging curriculum who have demonstrated a high level of civic engagement locally, nationally, and/or internationally.
Apply for the Eisenhower Scholarship
Application Requirements and Process
- Complete and submit both the Common Application and the Eisenhower Scholarship application by the designated deadline dates:
- Early Decision I: By November 15 (notified of admission and scholarship by December 15)
- Early Action: By December 1 (notified of admission and scholarship by February 1)
- Early Decision II: By January 15 (notified of admission and scholarship by February 15)
- Regular Decision: By January 15 (notified of admission and scholarship by March 15)
- Priority consideration is given to students who apply via Early Decision and Early Action.
- Students who are not recipients of the Eisenhower Scholarship will be automatically considered for the College’s four academic merit scholarships as part of the admissions review process.
What does it mean to be an Eisenhower Scholar?
- Recipients of the Eisenhower Scholarship will be awarded $43,000 per year (totaling $172,000 for four years of full-time study at Gettysburg College).
- Eisenhower Scholars must maintain a 3.0 GPA while at Gettysburg in order to keep the scholarship.
- Eisenhower Scholars will be assigned an upper-class Eisenhower Scholar.
- Eisenhower Scholars will take a fall semester First-Year Seminar on a topic related to civic engagement and activism.
- Eisenhower Scholars will work with the Center for Public Service, the Eisenhower Institute, and the Garthwait Leadership Center on projects designed for their cohort.
- Eisenhower Scholars will participate in the spring semester community engagement opportunities.