More options, more affordable

We’re excited to offer new scholarships exclusively for adult and post-traditional learners. Ranging from $150-$500 per three-credit course, these scholarships can be applied to a variety of programs and are available to employees of our corporate and academic partners, Concordia alumni, veterans and their dependents, employees of qualifying Christian schools and churches, and other special scholarships.

"Thanks to this financial support I was able to return to school. This scholarship was a determining factor if returning to school would be a burden on our family income or not. We really appreciate it. God’s blessings to you!"
-Peter K., Christian Community Scholarship recipient

Here are ways you can qualify for these new scholarships:

Direct to Concordia Scholarship

If you have completed your associate degree at one of our technical college partners (MATC go here, BTC go here), continue your education at CUW by entering as a college junior to complete eligible bachelors degree programs.

  • $150 toward adult accelerated bachelor degree courses

For more info contact Ana.Sanchez@cuw.edu

Business Community Scholarship

If you are an employee of one of our corporate partners you may qualify for this scholarship. Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Actual amount per credit may vary.

  • $150 toward adult accelerated undergraduate courses or
  • $200 toward eligible graduate courses

Click here to apply.

Attention Advocate Aurora Health employees, please the following link to learn more

For more info contact Christy.Call@cuw.edu

Academic Community Scholarship

If you are an employee of one of our Preferred Education Partner schools or districts you may qualify for this scholarship. Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Actual amount per credit may vary.

Select a state to view it's Preferred Education Partner schools and districts: Michigan, Wisconsin.

  • $150 toward adult accelerated undergraduate courses or
  • $450 toward eligible graduate courses

Click here to apply.

For more info contact Sarah.Mayer@cuw.edu

Christian Community Scholarship

If you are an employee of any qualifying Christian church or Christian K-12 school you may qualify for this scholarship. Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Actual amount per credit may vary.

  • $200 toward adult accelerated undergraduate courses or
  • $500 toward eligible graduate courses

Click here to apply.

For more info contact Ana.Sanchez@cuw.edu

Alumni Scholarship

If you are a graduate of one of (CUS) Concordia University System school programs (associate, bachelor, master or doctorate level) you may qualify for this scholarship.

CUS campuses include:

  • Concordia University Ann Arbor
  • Concordia University Bronxville
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • Concordia University Irvine
  • Concordia University Nebraska
  • Concordia University Portland
  • Concordia University Selma
  • Concordia University St. Paul
  • Concordia University Texas
  • Concordia University Wisconsin

Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Actual amount per credit may vary.

  • $200 toward adult accelerated undergraduate courses or
  • $500 toward eligible graduate courses

Click here to apply.

For more info contact Aimee.Wiley@cuw.edu

Veterans and Dependents Scholarship

If you are a veteran, the spouse of a veteran, or a child of a veteran(age 17-26), you may qualify for this scholarship. Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Applicant will need to provide proof of eligibility by submitting DD214 or Dependent ID Number. Actual amount per credit may vary. Eligible recipients must have exhausted or be ineligible for other federal veteran educational benefits.

  • $150 toward adult accelerated undergraduate courses or
  • $200 toward eligible graduate courses

Click here to apply.

For more info contact Keith.Casey@cuw.edu

Frequently asked questions

Click here to view answers to the most common questions asked.

FAQ

Can you explain the Uncommon Scholarship opportunities in a little more detail?

There are several unique scholarships. The scholarships cannot be stacked, but you might qualify for one:

  • Alumni Scholarship
  • SHRM National Convention 2021 (proof of conference attendance required)
  • Christian Community Scholarship (employees of Christian churches or schools)
  • Academic Community Scholarship (employees of a Preferred Education Partner district or school)
  • Business Community Scholarship (employees of one of our corporate partners)

In fall of 2018, Concordia announced the first of the opportunities, the Alumni Scholarship program, open to all alumni of Concordia University Ann Arbor and Wisconsin. In addition to alumni, scholarships are now available for employees of Christian churches and schools, as well as Concordia’s official business and academic/preferred education partners. If you think you might qualify for the scholarship, please note that you must fill out an application.

Please note that the scholarship application must be submitted before the first day of the class you are applying for. A new form must also be submitted each academic year for the duration of your program, as long as you are still employed by a qualifying organization.

Please carefully review all policies and procedures provided on this page below.

I used to qualify for a tuition discount. Can I now apply for an Uncommon Scholarship?
Yes! The tuition discount has been phased out. The Uncommon Scholarships were announced in fall of 2018 and offer expanded opportunities for scholarships unlike ever before.
When is the application due?
Applications are due by the first day of your first course. You must also fill out a new scholarship application each academic year before the start of that upcoming year.
When can I apply for the scholarship? Is it open all year?

You can apply for the scholarship once you have a F00 (student ID number). The scholarship application remains open all year. If you begin a program halfway through the academic year, you can fill out the scholarship mid-year to have any approved scholarships applied for future courses. In addition to other policies and procedures outlined on the Uncommon Scholarships page, there are two critical date-related policies to be aware of.

  1. The first is that you must fill out a scholarship application before your course(s) begin. If you start a course, are two weeks in, and then remember to fill out the scholarship application, financial aid will not be able to apply the award.
  2. The second is that you must fill out a new scholarship application each academic year before the start of that upcoming year.
Where can I find a listing of of academic terms and deadlines?

Always be sure to submit an application for each academic year before courses begin. Scholarships cannot be awarded to past courses, or to courses that have already begun. Academic years begin the first week of July each year and run July through the end of June, as follows:

  • 2023-2024 Academic Year: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024

Your program may follow an 8-week schedule, a 6-week schedule, or another term schedule. Please review your individual course deadlines and submit a scholarship application before your course begins.

Academic Calendar

How long is the scholarship valid?
Your uncommon scholarship will only need to be completed one time as an undergraduate or graduate student, as long as you do not have to reapply to the university. Reapplication is required if you have been out of school for a full academic year.
Where can I find a list of qualifying partnership organizations?
  • Business Community Partners
  • Academic Community Partners: Michigan, Wisconsin
  • Christian Community Partners: Employees of Christian schools and churches 
  • Alumni: Concordia University Ann Arbor, Concordia University Bronxville, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Irvine, Concordia University Nebraska, Concordia University Portland, Concordia University Selma, Concordia University St. Paul, Concordia University Texas, Concordia University Wisconsin
Which academic programs qualify for the Uncommon Scholarship?

Graduate and Postgraduate Programs

Programs applicable to any state

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • EdD - Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Post BSN to DNP
  • MS Accountancy
  • MS Applied Exercise Science
  • MS Art Education
  • MS Business Analytics
  • MA Digital Humanities
  • MBA - Accounting
  • MBA - Communications and Public Relations
  • MBA - Finance
  • MBA - Health Care Administration
  • MBA - Human Resource Management
  • MBA - Information Science and Digital Technologies
  • MBA - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • MBA - International Business
  • MBA - Leadership
  • MBA - Management
  • MBA - Management Information Systems (STEM)
  • MBA - Non-Profit Management and Public Administration
  • MBA - Operations Management and Analytics
  • MBA - Research for Business Applications
  • MBA - Risk Assessment and Management
  • MBA - Sport and Entertainment Business
  • MBA - Strategic Marketing
  • MBA - Sustainability
  • MS Education - Counseling (Professional)
  • MS Education - Early Childhood
  • MS Education - Educational Design and Technology
  • MS Education - Environmental Education
  • MS Education - Family Life
  • MS Education - Teaching and Learning
  • MS Graduate Teacher Certification (GTCP)
  • MS Information Technology
  • MS Leadership
  • MS Nursing (All Concentrations)
  • Nurse Practitioner Program
  • RN to BSN to MSN
  • Post BSN to DNP
  • MS Natural Products Science
  • MS Rehabilitation Science
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)
  • MS Church Music - Choral or Organ
  • MS Child Life Specialist
  • MS Computer Science - Information Systems
  • MS Computer Science - Software Development
  • MS Computer Science – Business Data Applications
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
  • Certificate - Adult & Community Education
  • Certificate - Bioethics
  • Certificate - Christian Counseling
  • Certificate - Digital Age Teaching & Learning
  • Certificate - Natural Product Sciences
  • Certificate - Professional Counseling
  • Individual Course(s)

Programs that specifically meet Michigan certification

  • MS Educational Leadership (includes MI School Administrator Certificate)
  • MS Curriculum and Instruction (MI endorsed)
  • MS Curriculum and Instruction with ESL (MI endorsed)
  • MS Special Education Learning Disabilities (MI Endorsed)
  • MS Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education (SPAHE)
  • Post Master's School Administrator Certificate (SACP) (MI Endorsed)
  • Endorsement - Special Ed Learning Disabilities (MI Endorsed)
  • Endorsement - Early Childhood (MI Endorsed)
  • Endorsement - ESL (MI Endorsed)
  • Endorsement - Michigan State Reading Course

Programs that specifically meet Wisconsin certification

  • MS Applied Exercise Science
  • MS Education - Counseling (School Guidance Counselor WI #7054)
  • MS Education - Educational Administration #5051/#5010 (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education - Literacy #1316/#5017 (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education - Special Education (DPI #2801, #1809, #1825 WI Licensures)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – Early Childhood Initial Licensure (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – Elementary Initial Licensure (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – ESL Licensure #1395 (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – ESL/Bilingual Licensure #1395/#1023 (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – Gifted & Talented Licensure #1013/#5013 (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – Secondary Initial Licensure (WI Endorsed)
  • MS Education – Teaching and Learning – Special Education Cross Categorical Initial Licensure (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) #1825 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Alternative Education License #1952 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - English as a Second Language Licensure (ESL) #1395 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Bilingual Licensure #1023 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Gifted and Talented Licensure #1013/5013 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Superintendent Licensure #5003 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Special Ed Early Childhood #1809 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Special Ed Deaf and Hard of Hearing #1805 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Special Ed Cross Categorical (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Administrator/Principal License #5051 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Director of Instruction License #5010 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - School Business Administrator #5008 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Literacy - Reading Teacher #1316 or Reading Specialist #5017 (WI Endorsed)
  • Certificate - Counseling - School #7054 (WI Endorsed)

Adult Accelerated Undergraduate

  • BA Accelerated Cross Categorical Special Education
  • BA Accelerated Elementary Education
  • BA Accelerated Secondary Education – English and Language Arts
  • BA Accelerated Secondary Education – Math
  • BA Accelerated Secondary Education – Social Studies
  • BS Accounting
  • BS Applied Computer Science
  • BA Applied Psychology
  • BA Business Analytics and Change Management
  • AA Business Management
  • BA Business Management
  • BA Communication and Leadership
  • BA Construction and Trades Management
  • BS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Completion
  • BA Early Childhood Education (Project INVEST)
  • AA Health Care Management
  • BA Health Care Management
  • AA Human Resource Management
  • BA Human Resource Management
  • AA Theological Studies
  • BA Theological Studies
  • Nursing - RN to BSN Completion
  • Nursing - RN to BSN to MSN
  • Nursing - Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN (ABSN) for Non-nurses
  • Paralegal Certificate
  • BA Public Service – Leadership
  • BA Public Service – Management of Criminal Justice
  • BS Radiologic Technology Completion
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
  • Certificate - Cultural Studies
  • Certificate - Health Care Management
  • Certificate - Human Resources Management
  • Certificate - Management of Criminal Justice
  • Certificate - Marketing
  • Certificate - Non-Profit Management
  • Certificate - Sports and Entertainment Business
I just applied for the scholarship. When will I find out and what’s next?

Within 7 days of submitting your scholarship application, you will hear, via email, official response about the status of your scholarship application.

If granted, Financial Aid will apply this scholarship to your account by the first week of your first class in the academic term, based upon your overall term registration at that time. Please be sure to fill out the application each academic year for the duration of your program, as long as you are still employed by a qualifying organization.

If this scholarship is not granted, Concordia University still strives to make our tuition affordable to all, and we encourage you to apply for other scholarships outside the university.
Do scholarships extend through family members?
The scholarship does not extend through family members. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must be accepted to an eligible program and fit one of the qualifications for Uncommon Scholarships.
I am a full-time sub. Do I qualify for the Academic Community Scholarship?
You qualify if you are an employee of any Academic Community Partnership (also known as Preferred Education Partner) districts or schools.
Can you provide an estimate? I am trying to budget and need to know how much I will need to pay.

Absolutely. We understand planning a budget is important for your success in a program and are happy to provide assistance in your financial planning. We created an estimation sheet for this very reason. Each person’s program is different, so we recommend filling out a personalized Uncommon Scholarship estimator by using the Uncommon Scholarship estimation sheet. If you feel confident in your own estimate, we are glad it was of use! If you would like to talk this over with a financial aid counselor, please feel invited to call financial aid. Please have that sheet available with your F00 number (student ID number), and a counselor can pull up your information to help review your estimate.

How is the scholarship applied to my tuition?
Once all qualifying measures are met for the academic year and the scholarship is approved, the scholarship will be awarded by financial aid based on the current number of credits the student is enrolled in each semester, during that academic year. The scholarship will be adjusted for any increase or decrease in enrolled credits during each semester of that academic year. Scholarships awarded will be applied to your student account and will be reflected on subsequent billing statements. (No cash releases are issued for this scholarship.) If you have specific questions, we invite you to contact the financial aid or billing offices.
Policies and disclaimers
  1. Scholarship dollar amounts are examples based on three-credit courses. Actual amount per credit may vary
  2. Application must be submitted prior to the end of the first week of class and will not be retroactively applied to any course after the first week of class
  3. Scholarships for eligible, registered classes should usually disburse to your student account within one week of the financial aid office receiving your approval email
  4. Course completion is required to receive the scholarship
  5. Students may only apply to one Uncommon Scholarship per enrollment term
  6. Scholarships are not "stackable" with each other, other Concordia tuition discounts or Concordia scholarship programs

Scholarship application