The Ingram Scholars Program is one of Vanderbilt University’s three signature merit scholarships. This highly competitive fully funded program targets students who intend to pursue professional careers while maintaining a deep, lifelong commitment to civic-minded service. E. Bronson Ingram established the scholarship program in 1993. His vision was to encourage undergraduates to blend business success with philanthropy. The Ingram Scholarship supports exceptional undergraduates who demonstrate the ability to lead positive social change.
The fully funded scholarship’s distinguishing feature is the focus on implementing durable and self-sustaining community projects. Scholars must commit to continuous service. They don’t just volunteer; they design, implement, and lead solutions to critical societal problems. This focus attracts innovative students from all majors, including STEM, finance, and humanities. Successful applicants highlight a history of impactful service, showing maturity, leadership, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
The selection process is rigorous, including a separate application and an interview round. Ingram Scholars receive significant financial benefits, ensuring their education is affordable. The program cultivates a tight-knit community focused on service-learning and professional development. This unique combination of financial support and mandatory service development prepares students to become leaders in their respective fields and continue a life of contribution.
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Scholarship Coverage & Financial Benefits
The Ingram Scholarship is a fully funded, comprehensive, merit-based financial award. It is renewable annually for up to eight semesters (four years) of undergraduate study.
| Benefit Category | Coverage Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. |
| Tuition & Fees | Full Tuition and all required university fees. |
| Housing | It provides the value of on-campus housing each year. |
| Summer Stipend | Scholars receive a substantial stipend to fund one special summer service project. |
| Need-Based Supplement | Vanderbilt provides additional need-based financial aid to a recipient, if their demonstrated financial need exceeds the amount of the scholarship (full tuition plus housing). This ensures students can fund their education fully. |
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The Ingram Scholarship is highly competitive, typically awarded to students who represent the top 1% of the incoming freshman class. Scholarship committees evaluate candidates based on four core criteria:
- Academic Excellence: Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic accomplishment and intellectual promise. The admissions committee reviews the complete application.
- Commitement to Service: Candidates must demonstrate a deep, sustained commitment to civic-minded service. Successful applicants highlight achievements, such as founding a non-profit, leading a community advocacy campaign, or designing innovative solutions for a local need.
- Career Vision: Applicants must articulate a clear plan for how they will combine a successful professional career with a lifelong commitment to social change. The scholarship funds your education for students dedicated to this dual mission.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Candidates must possess the maturity and initiative to design, implement, and lead impactful projects. The committee values projects that demonstrate durability and sustainability.
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Program Requirements (Once Awarded)
To maintain the scholarship throughout the four years, Ingram Scholars must meet eligibility criteria related to both academic performance and service obligations:
- Monthly Service Commitment: Scholars must devote approximately 20 hours each month during the academic year to relevant community outreach and service projects.
- Signature Service Project: Scholars must design and implement one major service project during one of their undergraduate summers (typically following the sophomore year). This project must meet eligibility criteria by focusing on creating a durable, sustainable solution to a critical problem.
- Academic Standing: Scholars must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. The scholarship is renewable annually, if these requirements are met.
- Program Participation: Scholars must meet weekly for group reflection, service-learning discussions, and community activities.
Application Process & Deadlines
The Ingram Scholars Program requires a separate, supplemental application after applying for general admission to Vanderbilt. To strengthen an application, follow these three steps:
- Submit Admission Application: You must submit an application (Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application) to Vanderbilt first.
- Access MyAppVU: You will receive access to your online MyAppVU portal, where merit scholarship applications are housed, within 2-3 business days of applying for admission.
- Submit Scholarship Application: You must submit the separate Ingram application through MyAppVU by the deadline. The Ingram application requires two additional supplemental essays and two extra letters of recommendation.
| Applicant Type | Application Deadline | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Prospective First-Year | December 1 (typically) | Separate Ingram application, supplemental essays, two extra recommendations. |
| Current First-Year | Mid-January – February 28 (typically) | Separate Ingram application, two new recommendations (one from a Vanderbilt faculty/staff member). |
Finalist Selection
Ingram Scholar Finalists are required to interview with the selection committee. This typically occurs at an on-campus event in the spring semester.
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Community and Post-Graduation Support
The Ingram Scholars Program offers unique benefits beyond financial aid:
- Service-Learning: The program provides structured service-learning opportunities, including weekly meetings and retreats, to discuss the ethics of service and social efficacy.
- Faculty Mentorship: Scholars are paired with a Faculty Director who provides mentorship and oversees scholar activities. This unique component strengthens an application for graduate schools or major fellowships.
- Alumni Network: Ingram Scholars gain access to a powerful and active alumni network. Alumni actively mentor undergraduate scholars and provide connections for summer internships, job placement, and post-graduate philanthropy. This network demonstrates leadership across various sectors, including technology, finance, and medicine.
Apply Now
The application is made available only after you apply for admission to Vanderbilt University. You must submit your application via your MyAppVU online portal. Apply to Vanderbilt University as an undergraduate.
