Overview
Going to university can be expensive, but Temple University in Philadelphia offers many scholarship and financial aid options to help students manage costs. Whether you are a first-year undergraduate, a transfer student, or come from another country, Temple has merit awards, need-based scholarships, and special grants. This guide tells you which scholarships exist, who’s eligible, what you can get, and how to apply — using only official sources and two direct application links.
Scholarship Types at Temple University
Temple offers several types of scholarships:
- Merit Scholarships: Awards based primarily on academic achievement. High-GPA students often receive merit scholarships automatically when admitted.
- Need-Based Aid: For students who demonstrate financial need, usually by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if eligible.
- Special Grants and Awards: For certain groups (e.g., residents of specific areas, students with disabilities) or for specific colleges/faculties within Temple.
Key Scholarship Programs
Here are some of the major scholarship and aid programs at Temple University:
- Temple Promise: A last-dollar grant program for first-year undergraduates from Philadelphia County with financial need; helps cover remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other aid is applied. (Undergraduate Admissions)
- Academic Merit Scholarships: Automatically considered for many incoming undergraduates; amounts vary depending on admission credentials. (Temple University Bulletin)
- ScholarshipUniverse: Temple’s internal scholarship matching system, where both enrolled and admitted students fill out profiles to match with internal and external scholarship opportunities. (Student Financial Services)
- Internal College/Department Awards: Many colleges within Temple have their own scholarship/award programs (e.g. the College of Liberal Arts awards). (liberalarts.temple.edu)
Who Qualifies
Eligibility varies by scholarship, but generally:
- First-year undergraduate students: Many merit scholarships are for new students who have just graduated high school.
- Philadelphia County residents: For some programs (e.g. Temple Promise), residency in Philadelphia County is required.
- Demonstrated financial need: Usually via FAFSA (for U.S. students).
- Good academic standing: Minimum GPA requirements apply for many awards.
- International students: Some scholarships require citizenship or residency status; merit scholarships may consider international students, but need-based U.S. aid may not apply.
What You Get — Scholarship Benefits
What types of benefits can you expect from Temple scholarships:
- Tuition discounts or full tuition depending on merit or financial aid. Some merit awards cover a large portion of tuition for strong candidates. (Temple University Bulletin)
- Mandatory fees or university service fees may be included in some scholarship/grant programs. Temple Promise covers tuition + mandatory university services fees after other aid is applied. (Undergraduate Admissions)
- Renewability: Many awards are renewable year to year, if you maintain good grades and full-time status.
- Department or College Awards: These may give extra funding on top of general merit scholarship.
Application Process & How Scholarships Are Awarded
Here’s how to apply and what to expect:
- Admission Application
- Apply for admission to Temple University through its official process. Strong academic records help for merit scholarships.
- For some programs (Temple Promise, etc.), being admitted by certain deadlines and meeting certain criteria is essential.
- Submit FAFSA (if U.S. student and need-based aid)
- Financial need is assessed via FAFSA. This determines eligibility for need-based grants.
- No Separate Merit Application
- For many merit scholarships, there is no separate application. They are awarded based on the admission application and academic credentials.
- Use ScholarshipUniverse
- Both continuing and new Temple students should log in to ScholarshipUniverse to see internal and external scholarships they may be matched with. (Student Financial Services)
- Follow Department/College Specific Applications
- Some colleges have their own scholarship forms or essays. Check with your major’s college.
- Watch Deadlines
- Many internal awards have set deadline dates; missing deadlines often means losing eligibility.
Major Fields & Example Programs
Below are examples of majors/programs Temple provides, grouped by field. These are not exhaustive but give a good sense of the breadth.
| Field | Undergraduate Majors/Programs |
|---|---|
| Science & Technology / STEM | Applied Mathematics; Biochemistry; Biology; Biophysics; Chemistry; Computer Science; Data Science; Environmental Science; Geology; Information Science & Technology; Engineering (Civil, Electrical & Computer, Industrial & Systems, Mechanical, etc.) cis.temple.edu+3Undergraduate Admissions+3Temple University College of Engineering+3 |
| Arts, Media & Humanities | Art & Architecture; Art History; Theater, Film & Media Arts; Global Studies; Music; Fine Arts; Communication Studies; etc |
| Business & Management | Fox School of Business and Management offers business majors at undergrad and graduate levels. |
| Education & Human Development | Teacher preparation programs; Counseling; Educational Leadership; Higher Education; Graduate & Doctoral programs in Education. |
| Health Sciences & Professions | Nursing; Pharmacy; Dentistry; Athletic Training; Podiatric Medicine; Public Health; Physical Therapy etc. |
| Law & Social Sciences | Beasley School of Law; Political Science; Global Studies; Psychology; Sociology; Social Work etc. |
Things to Watch Out For
- Scholarships may only cover tuition + mandatory fees, not living expenses.
- GPA requirements and full-time enrollment (12-18 credits per semester) often required.
- For need-based aid, submitting financial documents and FAFSA on time is essential.
- International students should check eligibility carefully; not all aid sources apply to international statuses.
- Renewal requirements must be met (maintain GPA, credit load).
Two Official Application / Info Links
Here are two official Temple University pages where you can apply or get detailed info:
- Temple Promise & Temple Cost, Aid, and Scholarships Overview (Undergraduate Admissions)
Temple Promise / Costs & Aid Scholarships (Undergraduate Admissions) - Temple Student Financial Services — ScholarshipUniverse & Scholarship Opportunities (for internal/external scholarships, continuing and incoming students)
ScholarshipUniverse & Financial Aid Scholarships (Student Financial Services)
Example Scenarios
To help you understand, here are a few example scenarios:
- Scenario 1: High School Graduate with Excellent Grades from Philadelphia County and Low Family Income
You might qualify for Temple Promise (covering tuition + fees left after other aid) + a merit scholarship because of your strong GPA. - Scenario 2: Transfer Student from Another State with Good Grades but Moderate Income
You may receive merit scholarship based on your transcript. If you’re eligible for certain department/college awards, you apply through those as well. - Scenario 3: International Student Outside the U.S.
Likely eligible for merit scholarship. Not eligible for FAFSA-based need aid. Check if there are internal Temple awards for international students.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Maintain a strong high school or prior college GPA.
- Apply early. Meeting admission deadlines matters for many scholarship awards.
- Submit all required documents (transcripts, test scores, essays) fully.
- For U.S. students, file FAFSA on time and completely.
- Be sure to create a profile on ScholarshipUniverse and respond to its matching questions.
- Reach out to your college’s scholarship office or department to ask about internal awards.
Conclusion
If you are applying for 2025/2026, make sure you:
Temple University offers a variety of scholarship and financial aid options that can significantly reduce the cost of earning a degree. Whether through merit, financial need, or specific departmental awards, many students qualify for meaningful assistance.
- Submit your admission application early and with good credentials
- Use ScholarshipUniverse and Studentsgist to explore opportunities
- File FAFSA if eligible
- Check deadlines and college-specific awards
With preparation, you can get scholarship help that makes Temple much more affordable. Good Luck!