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Merit Scholarships

Merit ScholarshipsMerit Scholarships Patrick Henry College PHC

Patrick Henry College seeks to reward students who have demonstrated excellence in a variety of merit-based activities. To apply, a student must first be admitted to the College. Additional details for each scholarship are below.

A student may qualify for more than one scholarship from among academic, merit, endowed, and Family Assistance. However, qualification is not a guarantee that multiple scholarships will be awarded. The number and amount of awards are based on available funding each year. The College seeks to steward the resources made available each year to assist as many students as possible.

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Scholarships


Early Commitment Award

Annual Award: $500

Description: Awarded to students who have been admitted to Patrick Henry College and have confirmed their enrollment by December 1st. 

Requirements: Confirmed attendance to PHC and no longer pursuing other colleges or universities. Must sign the form at the link below by December 1 to be eligible for this award. This award is available for degree-seeking applicants admitted and confirmed between July 1 and December 1 for the Fall term of the following year. 

Renewal Requirements: None.

Click here to confirm enrollment and agree to your early commitment to Patrick Henry College. - CLOSED


Forensics Scholarship

Annual Award:  $500 to $8,000

Description:  Awarded to students who have participated in high school debate, moot court, or mock trial and commit to participate in forensics while enrolled as an on-campus student at Patrick Henry College. Students who are awarded a Forensics scholarship are ineligible to receive the Pursuit of Excellence and/or the Music scholarships. 

Requirements:  Please submit a forensics resume and a sample video (5-8 minutes of a practice or competition forensics round) via the link below. Scholarships are awarded based on highest tournament achievements through junior year of high school, in combination with national standardized test scores.  Resume should include the years of forensics participation and levels of achievement. Please share video via YouTube link. This scholarship application is not available for currently enrolled degree-seeking students at Patrick Henry College. 

Renewal Requirements:  Dependent on level of involvement in PHC forensics. Maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA. Students must fully participate in either Debate, Moot Court, or Mock Trial during Fall and Spring semesters of enrollment. Participation in Model UN, SI competitions, and case study competitions does not qualify for the Forensics Scholarship. 

Click here to apply for the Forensics Scholarship  

 


Music Scholarship - J.S. Bach

Annual Award:  $500 to $5,000

Description:  Awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding music preparation and potential to become musical leaders in one of the College’s musical organizations as evidenced by application materials and audition. The College offers violin, viola, cello, harp, voice, and piano scholarships. Other instruments may be considered. Students who are awarded a Music scholarship are ineligible to receive the Forensics and/or the Pursuit of Excellence scholarships. 

Requirements: Committed to serve in the college's music ensembles. Please submit your music resume and a sample video via the link below. Your resume should include the years of music participation and levels of achievement. Please share your video via YouTube link. This scholarship application is not available for currently enrolled degree-seeking students at Patrick Henry College. 

Renewal Requirements:  Recommendation from the Director of Music, participation and leadership in PHC music programs per scholarship award requirements. Maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA.

Click here to apply for the J.S. Bach Music Scholarship  

Learn more about PHC's Music program


Strategic Intelligence Scholarship - Hudson P. Shedd

Annual Award:  $500 to $4,000

Description: This is a scholarship funded by Hudson P. Shedd specifically for students desiring to work in the Strategic Intelligence community.

Requirements: 

  1.  Commit to studying Strategic Intelligence in National Security while at Patrick Henry College.
  2.  Submit a Family Financial Profile at the link below.
  3.  Submit a detailed application at the link below.

Renewal Requirements:  Dependent on the level of achievements in Strategic Intelligence special projects and internships. Maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA.

Click here to submit the Family Financial Profile

Click here to apply for the Strategic Intelligence Scholarship



Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship

Annual Award:  $500 to $4,000

Description:  Awarded to students who have demonstrated either leadership or community service. Students who are awarded a Pursuit of Excellence scholarship are ineligible to receive the Forensics and/or Music scholarships. 

Requirements: Committed to apply leadership skills in service to the college via the Student Ambassador Program. Must submit application at the link below. This scholarship application is not available for currently enrolled degree-seeking students at Patrick Henry College. 

Renewal Requirements: Dependent on representing Patrick Henry College in the Student Ambassador Program in a leadership or service role during your first two years on campus. Activities may include hosting prospective students, aiding administrative staff, or representing the college. Ambassadors are expected to participate in a minimum of two activities per semester. Maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA.

Click here to apply for the Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship  

 


Journalism Scholarship - Kuyper/More

Annual Award:  $500 to $2,000

Description:  Awarded to students who intend to major or minor in Journalism. 

Requirements: Please submit a 500-word personally-written essay about Abraham Kuyper or Hannah More and how their lives were a testament to the glory of God. The top four essays chosen by the Scholarship Review Committee will be awarded this scholarship. Students must be committed to a Journalism major or minor throughout their time at PHC. This scholarship application is not available for currently enrolled degree-seeking students at Patrick Henry College. 

Renewal Requirements: Students must remain in the Journalism program throughout their time at PHC and maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA.

Click here to apply for the Kuyper/More Journalism Scholarship  

Learn more: Kuyper/More Journalism Scholarship

 


Awana Scholarship

Award: $500

Description: Awarded to students with verification of Citation award from Awana.  After completion, the student must send verification of a Citation Award from Awana to the Office of Financial Aid.

Renewal Requirements: One year, non-renewable.

Click here to apply for the Awana Scholarship   

 


Legacy Scholarship

Annual Award: $500 or $1,000

  • $500 - 1 parent PHC graduate
  • $1000 - 2 parents PHC graduates

Description: The purpose of the PHC Legacy Scholarship is to recognize and assist families of new students whose parents are graduates of Patrick Henry College.

Renewal Requirements: Maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA.

Click here to apply for the Legacy Scholarship

 


W.B. Thornhill Memorial Scholarship

Annual Award: $2,000

Description: Awarded to one full-time Patrick Henry College student who has accepted a full-time internship at the Heritage Foundation for academic credit.  In the case of multiple candidates, additional scholarships may be awarded as money is available. Candidates may be chosen by academic standing or military service. The award recipient will be selected on an annual basis by the Office of Financial Aid.

Renewal Requirements: This scholarship is not automatically renewable.

Learn More About PHC Scholarships

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