The Drexel Promise
Our commitment to providing community college students a pathway to a private education.
Drexel is proud to serve as an anchor institution within the higher education community, holding a strong and ongoing commitment to developing programs that will build new pathways for students ready to take the next step in their education journeys here at our University.
The Drexel Promise provides students who have earned an associate degree at an accredited community college with a renewable scholarship for 50% of the cost of tuition as they work to complete their bachelor's degree as a Drexel Dragon.
By providing much-needed support and opportunity, The Drexel Promise will work to reduce financial barriers and their resulting inequities for community college students. Originally created to support students from the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas, we are delighted to announce that we are taking this Promise nationwide, providing even more aspiring learners like you with the vital support that will help them to achieve the dream of upward educational mobility and maximize their potential as learners, innovators, and achievers.
The Value of Earning an Associate Degree
Drexel recognizes the dedication it requires for students to take the time and earn an associate degree at a two-year school before proceeding to a 4-year institution. The Drexel Promise is both a recognition of this achievement and an opportunity to encourage students currently enrolled in a community college to take the extra step and complete their two-year degree.
Earning your associate degree sets you up for success! Consider the benefits:
- Guaranteed Scholarship – The Drexel Promise award covers half of your tuition, and can be combined with possible federal and state financial assistance, all of which help to make Drexel an affordable option to earn your bachelor's degree.
- Strong Academic Foundation – The time and effort you have already put into earning your associate degree means you are set up for further academic success.
- Future Earnings – Studies have shown that students who earn an associate degree before pursuing and graduating from a four-year institution have increased potential for lifetime economic success.
How to Apply
Applicants to a full-time, on-campus program should indicate on their application that they have earned or will earn an associate degree from an eligible community college before starting their program at Drexel. No additional forms or applications are required; however, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will need to verify your eligibility before your scholarship can be finalized.
All Promise-eligible applicants must meet Drexel's criteria for admission and receive an offer of acceptance from the University in order to receive the scholarship.
Financial Aid Applications
Applicants who are eligible to receive The Drexel Promise Scholarship are not required to complete a CSS Profile; however, all domestic applicants are encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine their eligibility for federal and/or state funding. The Drexel Promise scholarship cannot be combined with any other Drexel need-based grant or merit scholarship (with the exception of the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for eligible recipients).
In order to continue to receive the award in future years, students must maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. The scholarship will only be applied during class terms and for a maximum of 12 academic quarters.
Transferring to Drexel Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
The Drexel Promise Scholarship covers 50% of a student's tuition cost for their undergraduate degree program.
Tuition is only charged during quarters a student is enrolled in coursework; it is not charged during terms a student is participating in co-op. Which terms a student is in classes and which they are on co-op is determined by their plan of study. Admitted transfer students must have a Transfer Credit Evaluation completed in order to determine their plan of study, which will in turn determine the amount of tuition and Drexel Promise Scholarship they receive each year of their enrollment.
View more information regarding tuition and financial aid are allocation at Drexel.
You are eligible as long as you received your associate degree from an eligible community college or 2-year institution. Please Request More Information to confirm your school is eligible. Please note that if you earn a bachelor's degree at any point, you will not be eligible for The Drexel Promise.
Yes, as long as you received your associate degree from an eligible community college or 2-year institution. Please Request More Information to confirm your school is eligible. Please note that if you earn a bachelor's degree at any point, you will not be eligible for The Drexel Promise.
No, only new transfer students starting in fall 2023 are able to be considered for The Drexel Promise.
Institutional need-based awards are not able to be combined with The Drexel Promise; however, you may still be eligible for federal and state financial aid, provided you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Yes, you must maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Yes, you are encouraged to apply prior to completing your associate degree. You will need to complete your associate degree and submit a final transcript prior to enrolling at Drexel.
Yes, as long as you received your associate degree from an eligible community college or 2-year institution. Please Request More Information to confirm your school is eligible. Please note that if you earn a bachelor’s degree at any point, you will not be eligible for The Drexel Promise.
No, an associate degree is required to be eligible for The Drexel Promise. However, you will be evaluated for other types of institutional aid, such as merit scholarships and need-based aid. We encourage you to submit the CSS Profile if you will not be completing your associate degree.
At this time, dual enrolled high school students who earn their associate’s degree at the same time as their HS diploma are not eligible for this program.
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