Hillsdale College

At Hillsdale College, you’ll experience an education that truly “develops the minds and improves the hearts” of its students, an education that goes beyond just preparing you for career success, but also for living a good and virtuous life. Our robust core curriculum will challenge you in its depth and breadth, while connecting you with your peers and professors as you partner in an exhilarating pursuit of learning, complete with choosing from dozens of majors and minors that will equip you for the road ahead.

Tucked into the heart of Michigan, our campus offers state-of-the-art laboratories and athletic facilities, and our community fosters a vibrant student life. Throughout your time at Hillsdale, your professors will challenge you, your friends will inspire you, and through it all we’re confident that you’ll grow into the very best version of yourself.

This is what college is meant to be. This is Hillsdale.

From Hillsdale College

Since its founding, Hillsdale College has been committed to providing an education that would best “develop the minds and improve the hearts” of its students, and to providing that education independently of government funds. Thanks to charitable students, alumni and friends, Hillsdale College continues to thrive, as does its privately funded aid program. Generous gifts make it possible for the College to provide further assistance in the form of scholarships and need-based aid to offset billed costs.

There are four ways to help fund a Hillsdale Education:

1. Merit Scholarships: No separate application is necessary; once you apply for admission to Hillsdale, you are automatically considered for merit scholarship.
2. Need-Based Aid: Even though Hillsdale is independent of government funding, we have a privately funded need-based aid program that offers millions of dollars to students every year. Need is determined by the CFFS (Confidential Family Financial Statement), which Hillsdale uses instead of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
3. Talent Based Scholarships: Athletic – Hillsdale competes in the NCAA Division II and offers scholarships for its 14 varsity athletic programs. Students are recruited by their respective sport coaching staffs, and scholarships are offered at the discretion of the coaches. Fine Arts – Students with talent in music, theatre, fine art, or dance should consider applying or auditioning for one of the many scholarships offered to those with superior talents in these areas. Usually participation in the respective program – not a major – is a requirement for these scholarships. These awards are determined by program faculty
4. Student Employment: More than half of students work on campus or in the community to help defray the cost of their education. Many campus departments hire a significant number of students, and Hillsdale’s Career Services Office is the clearinghouse for students interested in holding an on-campus job.

From Hillsdale College

All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, which range from $1,000 to full tuition. Most merit scholarships are four-year awards. Eligibility is based on the strength of a candidate’s application, with emphasis on academic profile. No additional paperwork other than the completed application for admission is required. We encourage students to apply by December 15 for priority consideration.

From Hillsdale College

At Hillsdale College, each student’s whole application is considered when determining admission, seeking students who will benefit from and are eager to contribute to the academic, social, and extracurricular life of the College. We carefully examine the student’s intellectual ability, ambition, and upstanding character, alongside their GPA, test scores, strength of curriculum, extra-curricular interests, interviews, volunteerism, leadership, work experience, essays, and letters of recommendation.

We encourage students to take full advantage of their high school curriculum, enrolling in challenging courses that build upon a strong foundation in English, mathematics, history, biological and physical sciences, and foreign language, which we believe will lead to success in the Hillsdale College liberal arts curriculum.

In addition to a strong written application, we strongly encourage an interview either on campus or off campus with an admissions counselor. Interviews allow us to spend time getting to know you and your interests, while also giving you an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Hillsdale College.

From Hillsdale College

Hillsdale friendships are different. They form fast and they endure. The roots go deep. The conversations and community you experience on campus set the standard for the rest of your life. With over 17,500 alumni, the Hillsdale College network spreads far and wide. Our alumni association sponsors events throughout the country to bring alumni together and continue to remain close to their alma mater.

Over the past three years, 98% of Hillsdale College graduates have been employed, attending graduate/professional school, or otherwise meaningfully and intentionally occupied within six months of commencement. We attribute that success to the strength of preparation provided by a classical liberal arts education from Hillsdale, to the work of our outstanding students, and to the support students receive from faculty mentors and from our staff in Career Services.