First-Year Tuition & Fees
2025-2026 Estimated Undergraduate Cost
|
Tuition and Fees |
$43,750 |
|
Residence Hall and Meal Plan* |
$15,530 |
|
Total Estimated Cost for 2025-2026** |
$59,280 |
|
Undergraduate Students Receiving Financial Aid of Any Kind |
87% |
* Residence Hall and Meal Plan rates can be different depending on the assigned residence hall and meal plan.
** Estimated costs do not include course fees or books. Estimated costs of books and supplies could be up to $1500.00 for the year, dependent on declared major/minor.
First-Year Student Aid
The amount of financial aid awarded each year makes a Belmont education accessible and a valuable return on investment. We distribute comprehensive aid packages made up of a combination of need-based and merit-based aid. To be eligible to receive any form of need-based aid from Belmont University, you must complete and submit the FAFSA by February 15, at the earliest, prior to the year in which you plan to enroll.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Fill out and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA online. The priority date for completion of the FAFSA is February 15 each year. Be sure to indicate Belmont's Title IV code on your application -- 003479 -- to ensure that our Office of Student Financial Services receives your application results.
You should receive a Student Aid Summary (SAS) after completing your FAFSA. The SAS is typically sent in an email from the Department of Education. Review the SAS for accuracy and follow any instructions on the report. If your SAS is incorrect, please make the corrections and submit an updated FAFSA. Belmont will receive an electronic version from the federal processor.
Verification
If you have been selected for verification, there will be an asterisk next to your Student Aid Index on your SAS. You will also receive an email from Belmont explaining the required next steps to complete the process using the Dynamic Forms document portal.
Learn more about Verification
Upon admission to Belmont, you are automatically considered for all sources of merit aid. However, some departmental scholarships and grants may require a separate application. Your FAFSA application will also be used to determine eligibility for any institutional need-based aid outside of federal grants and loans.
Belmont's Office of Student Financial Services begins reviewing FAFSAs as soon as possible after February 1. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial aid notifications are emailed to students as awards are completed.
Once the Office of Student Financial Services has reviewed your FAFSA application for financial assistance, you will receive a financial aid notification.
- Review your financial aid notification carefully and retain it for your records. Included is important information regarding financial aid policies, procedures and requirements necessary to accept, maintain and renew your assistance.
- Review the cost estimator worksheet on our website for financial planning purposes.
- Familiarize yourself with the information to avoid unexpected changes in your financial aid award.
Processed financial aid will apply directly to your student account. Financial aid offers are based on full-time enrollment. Any reduction in the total number of registered hours may result in an adjustment to the financial aid offer. Institutional scholarships are based on full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 hours per semester). Full-time enrollment is 12 hours for undergraduate students and six hours for graduate students. Students must also be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to receive financial aid.
What types of aid are awarded?
MERIT BASED AID
First-year student general academic merit scholarships range from $3,000 to $22,000 annually. In awarding merit-based scholarships, we consider the applicant’s GPA, essay, co-curricular activities and test score (if submitted). Your application for admission also serves as your application for merit-based scholarships.
Admitted first-year students with academic credentials that meet or exceed the University’s first-year student class profile are considered competitive candidates for these awards. The first-year class entering fall 2024 had an average ACT composite score of 27 or SAT score of 1250, with a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.80 on a four-point scale.
- General First-Year Student Academic Merit Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis following the offer of admission.
- December 1 is the priority application deadline for consideration for Belmont’s most competitive named and departmental scholarships. All components of the application for admission must be received by this date for the applicant to be deemed eligible for consideration.
- Notification of named and departmental scholarship recipients will be sent by early March.
- In most cases, students may receive only one merit award. For exceptions, see the list of individual scholarships below.
- Traditionally, about 73 percent of those students admitted as first-year students will receive a merit scholarship.
- Belmont is test optional. Admitted first-year students who did not submit a test score will be considered for merit scholarships based on their high school GPA and overall strength of their application.
COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
Candidates for the University’s highest academic merit scholarship, the Archer Presidential Scholar award, must complete their admission application to Belmont by December 1.
In addition, those selected for consideration in the named scholarship process will have initially qualified for the highest level of general academic merit scholarship (currently $22,000). These named awards recognize approximately the top two percent of all first-year applicants. A strong candidate will have an academic profile with a cumulative high school grade point average above 4.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and an ACT composite score of 35 or SAT score of 1530 (if a test score is submitted). Consideration is also given to class rank (if provided) as well as individual accomplishment and demonstrated leadership as evidenced by the resume of activities. A named scholarship generally replaces any general academic merit scholarship previously awarded.
Archer Presidential Scholarship
The Archer Presidential Scholarship is Belmont's most competitive scholarship, awarded to approximately five incoming first-year students. The scholarship provides full tuition, room, board, books and fees for four academic years (eight semesters) of continuous study.
Traditionally, twelve finalists are invited to personally interview on campus for this award. Selection criteria include a review of academic and leadership accomplishments. Demonstrated financial need may be considered, therefore submission of the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is highly encouraged for those selected for the scholarship.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship
One scholarship covering full tuition, room, board, books and fees for a first-year student from a diverse background. Traditionally, five finalists are invited to personally interview for this award.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS & AID
Jack C. Massey College of Business
Glover Accounting Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for first-year students in the Jack C. Massey College of Business who major in accounting and meet the general academic merit scholarship criteria. This award can be combined with a general academic merit scholarship.
Glover Business Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for first-year students in the Jack C. Massey College of Business majoring in any non-accounting business degree who meet the general academic merit scholarship criteria. This award can be combined with a general academic merit scholarship.
Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship
Need-based scholarship for Christian female students in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences & the College of Nursing who are residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia and meet the general academic merit scholarship criteria. This award is in the amount range of $3,000-$7,000/year and will be based on both merit and financial need; therefore, submission of the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is highly encouraged.
Joe C. Davis Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship awarded to new student applicants of the College of Nursing. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years and renews automatically if you remain a nursing student and maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at Belmont. This award is in the amount range of $2,000-$5,000/year and can be combined with a general academic merit scholarship.
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Don R. Elliott Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is designated for students with a strong academic record who are pursing a major in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences.
Thomas J. Madden Ministerial Scholarship
One full-tuition scholarship for a male Christian first-year student majoring in religion who plans to enter full-time ministry.
Servant Leader Scholarship
One full-tuition scholarship for a female Christian first-year student majoring in religion who plans to enter a church-related career.
O'More College of Architecture & Design
The college awards several need-based scholarships each year to students majoring in either Architecture, Fashion or Interior Design. These awards are renewable for four years (five for B.Arch) provided the recipient maintains all required academic and citizenship expectations. Requirements for consideration can be found here.
Watkins College of Art
Watkins Endowed and Merit Scholarships
The Watkins College of Art Scholarship Endowment will be used exclusively to provide need and merit-based scholarships for incoming freshman, transfer or graduate students studying the visual arts within the College of Art. These scholarships are renewable for four years and can be combined with a general academic merit scholarship. Details on the portfolio/application process can be found here.
Ingram Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Four full-tuition scholarships for incoming first-year students with diverse backgrounds from the Nashville, Tennessee area who present outstanding academic and leadership records. Traditionally, eight finalists are invited to personally interview for this award.
E.S. Rose Scholarship
Half- and full-tuition scholarships for a limited number of deserving incoming first-year students with demonstrated need who attend a Metro Nashville public school, with preference given to students who live in proximity to E.S. Rose Park in Nashville, Tennessee. More detailed information about the scholarship and the application process for the award can be found here.
Community Scholarship
Half-tuition scholarship awarded for incoming first-year students with demonstrated need and above-average academic credentials who live in proximity to the Belmont University campus. Awarded on a biennial basis in even-numbered years.
Turner Scholarship
$7,500 awards for first-year students from rural high schools with outstanding academic records and demonstrated need.
National Merit Finalists
Students named as a National Merit Finalist receive a merit award from Belmont of $24,000/year. Those Finalists subsequently designated as a National Merit Scholar receive an additional National Merit Scholarship of $1,000/year. These funds would replace any previously-awarded academic scholarship(s).
Please note: Finalists selected for a “National” or “Corporate-Sponsored” award administered by the National Merit Scholarship Program are ineligible for the additional $1,000 award from National Merit.
Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship
The HOPE scholarship is awarded to entering first-year students and returning students who are Tennessee residents and meet eligibility requirements as specified by the Tennessee state legislature. Award amounts are subject to reduction based upon lottery revenue.
More Information on the Tennessee Hope Scholarship
Athletic Scholarships
Talent-based scholarships based upon athletic ability and program desirability. Contact the coach of the sport for more information.
Music Scholarships
Talent-based scholarships for music majors are based upon audition and level of music involvement.
Art Scholarships
Talent-based scholarships for art majors are based upon portfolio, personal interview, and academic record.
Songwriting Endowed Scholarships
One merit-based scholarship for a first-year student in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business majoring in Songwriting and meeting the general academic merit scholarship criteria. These awards can be combined with a general academic merit scholarship. Applicants must submit their Songwriting portfolio by the February 1 deadline to be considered. The scholarship is $10,000/year and will be based on both merit and financial need; therefore, submission of the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is highly encouraged.
In a committed effort to assist students attending Belmont University, many generous individuals and organizations have established and sustained endowed scholarships.
First-year students are automatically considered for any scholarships for which they are eligible upon completion of an application for admission and their FAFSA. Some endowed scholarships require additional application processes. These scholarships vary in requirements and amounts. Many are restricted by major.
Listing of scholarships:
Mildred and Roy Acuff Endowed Scholarship
Claude W and Nora M Allen Endowed Scholarship
Alumni Association S/S
Glen Anderson Endowed Scholarship
Bill Bandy Endowed Scholarship
Randall Baskin Endowed Scholarship
Lucy Beasley Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Belmont Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship
Bluegrass Baptist Endowed Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Boston Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Catherine Boyd Endowed Scholarship
Brentwood Baptist Church Endowed Scholarship
Betty Skelton Brewer Endowed Scholarship
Brook Hollow Mulloy Endowed Scholarship
Helen and Bob Capra Endowed Scholarship
Joey Cigainero Artist Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Glynn and Evelyn Clark/Immanuel Baptist Endowed Scholarship
Lois H. Cobb Endowed Scholarship
Michael Ray Danner Endowed Scholarship
Joe C. Davis Scholarship
Kenneth Dean Family Endowed Scholarship
Dodd Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Daisy and H.S. Durham Endowed Scholarship
Janet Lynne Elder Endowed Scholarship
Ezell Family Endowed Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. John D. Freeman Endowed Scholarship
Friends of the School of Music Endowed Scholarship
Friendship Class/Immanuel Baptist Endowed Scholarship
Diana R. Gabhart Endowed Scholarship
Helen Gabhart Missions Endowed Scholarship
Don Gant Music Business Endowed Scholarship
Kathy Elmer Ganus Music Endowed Scholarship
Lois and Claude Garrison Endowed Scholarship
Glover Endowed Scholarship
Sara Grigsby Endowed Scholarship
Walter and Louise Hale Endowed Scholarship Award
John W. and Frances L. Harton Endowed Scholarship
Joe and Virginia Keeter Haynes Endowed Scholarship
Chip Hellman Annual Scholarship
Reba Lee Yeatman Howard Endowed Scholarship
Bernice Johnson Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Ruby Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Judson Baptist Church Endowed Scholarship
Bill Justis Music Endowed Scholarship
Robert Keyt Scholarship
Kenneth Landers, Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship
Kenneth Landers, Sr. Memorial Music Business Scholarship
Frank and Margaret Leu Visual Arts Endowed Scholarship
George and Lera Logan Endowed Scholarship
Mabel Clara Looper Endowed Scholarship
Rachel Barnett Low Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Wallace Edwards Lunn, Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Maddux Endowed Scholarship
Albert and Ethel Maloney Endowed Scholarship
Lowell and Faye Mason Endowed Scholarship
Jack C. Massey MBA/Nelson Publishing Endowed Scholarship
Glen and Stella Morford Endowed Scholarship
Will D. Pafford Endowed Scholarship
Carolyn Patton Endowed Scholarship
Londin/Peterzell Music Business Scholarship
Archer Presidential Scholarship
Jane Howell Ralls Endowed Scholarship
Rasmussen Studies Abroad Scholarship
Ben Rechter Minority Endowed Scholarship
Marilyn Redding Memorial Missions Endowed Scholarship
Nary E. Ridley Endowed Scholarship
Nita and George C. Roughgarden Endowed Scholarship
Sanders-Mizoah Belmont Heights Endowed Scholarship
J. Randolph and Betty G. Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund for the Arts
Pat R. and Clarence L. Steinhouse Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Tennessee College for Women Endowed Scholarship
Willie Maude Thomerson Endowed Scholarship
Turner Scholarship
Turnley Music Business Endowed Scholarship
Tusculum Hills Baptist Church Endowed Scholarship
Volunteer Capital Massey Memorial MBA Endowed Scholarship
Joyce Walker Endowed Scholarship
Elizabeth Wall Endowed Scholarship
Albert and Lucille Wardin Endowed Scholarship
Waugh Self-Help Scholarship
Clara Harper Whitelaw Endowed Scholarship
Johnnie Wiley Endowed Scholarship
Jack Williams Scholarship Fund for Working Students
William G. Wilson Endowed Scholarship
Naomi H. Wood Memorial Endowed Scholarship
There are many outside scholarships available to Belmont students. Students may receive scholarships from national organizations as well as community-based organizations in their home area. These groups may include labor unions, professional associations, churches, local businesses, high school scholastic clubs and various civic organizations such as Elks, Lions Club, Rotary and YMCA, to name a few. Many students receive tuition assistance from their caregivers’ or their own employers. School guidance counselors are a good resource for locating scholarship opportunities in your community. If you are the recipient of an outside scholarship you will need to submit the Outside Scholarship Report Form.
GRANTS & FEDERAL WORK STUDY
Most types of grants, unlike loans, are sources of financial aid that generally do not have to be repaid. In additional to Belmont grants, for those who qualify, grants are also available from federal, state government and private or nonprofit organizations.
Belmont Grant-in-Aid
Grant funds are awarded based on demonstrated need indicated on the FAFSA. Belmont Grant-in-Aid funds are determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) and are not guaranteed every year. Students must complete the FAFSA for each aid year to determine grant eligibility. An increase in the SAI (Student Aid Index) could result in the reduction or loss of the grant if the EFC falls outside of the established grant range.
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell grant is an undergraduate federal grant. The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Formula is the standard criteria used in determining financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is an undergraduate federal grant awarded to the neediest Federal Pell Grant recipients on a first come, first served basis.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) Grant
A TSAA Grant is awarded by the Tennessee Student Assistant Corporation on a first come, first served basis to needy undergraduate students who are Tennessee residents.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program that allows students to work on-campus or with approved off-campus community service employers to earn money to pay for college expenses. Eligible students are awarded FWS when they complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Being awarded FWS with financial aid can help a student be eligible for part-time jobs, both on- and off-campus. The FWS program encourages employment in community service and in fields related to your major of study. There are many FWS jobs available to choose from and are funded through Belmont’s Office of Student Financial Services.
LOANS
First-year students and their caregivers will have access to Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans under the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Direct Loans
Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and caregivers to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution.
As with all federal student aid, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information on your FAFSA is transmitted to Belmont and the Office of Student Financial Services will use this information to determine your need for federal student aid, including Direct Loans. After you have been awarded, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. Caregivers who are seeking Direct PLUS loans will also need to complete a credit check.
Subsidized Loans
Subsidized loans are for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest will accrue while a student is in school at least half-time, during the grace period and during deferment periods. Repayment begins following a six-month grace period after you graduate, leave school or cease being enrolled as at least a half-time student.
Unsubsidized Loans
Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods. Repayment begins following a six-month grace period after you graduate, leave school or cease being enrolled as at least a half-time student.
Important Notes:
- PLUS loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done).
- Students must complete a FAFSA to receive a Direct Parent PLUS loan and must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours for undergraduate students).
Other Loan Options
Alternative Loans are private, credit-based loans. Students may apply for these loans and, if approved, may use the funds to offset educational expenses. They are designed to help supplement federal loans for educational costs.
More information on Alternative Loans