Kotzen Scholarship
The Kotzen Scholarship Is Worth Over $290,000 — Because Simmons Costs $73,559 Per Year
Most scholarship guides list the Kotzen Scholarship as “fully funded” without explaining what that actually means financially. The context matters enormously:
The cost of attendance at Simmons for traditional undergraduates for the 2026–27 school year is approximately $73,559 per year, before students are awarded a scholarship.
First year international students are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon application; these scholarships range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year. Please note that merit scholarships do not cover the full cost of attendance, and there are extremely limited opportunities to receive a full scholarship at Simmons. We do not offer need-based financial aid to international students.
This is the critical context. Simmons’ standard merit scholarships for international students cover $16,000-30,000 of a $73,559 annual cost leaving $43,000-57,000 per year for the student to fund. For most international applicants, that gap makes Simmons unaffordable.
The Kotzen Scholarship is the exception:
The scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board. An additional annual award of $3,000 is given for study abroad, summer internship tuition, short-term courses, or research support. The scholarship is awarded for the duration of four years of full-time undergraduate study and supersedes any previously awarded merit scholarship.
Full tuition. Mandatory fees. Room. Board. Plus $3,000/year for enrichment. Over four years, that package is worth approximately $290,000-300,000.
There are extremely limited opportunities to receive a full scholarship at Simmons and the Kotzen is essentially it.
The application deadline is December 1 annually. Both the scholarship application AND the Simmons admission application must be submitted by December 1.
What Is Simmons University
Simmons University is a private university in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1899 by clothing manufacturer John Simmons who left his fortune to establish an institution where women could earn the education and skills needed for independent livelihoods.
Important context: Simmons’ undergraduate college has historically enrolled women. The university’s graduate programs are co-educational. Prospective applicants should verify current undergraduate admission policies directly with Simmons, as institutional policies have evolved in recent years.
Simmons is located in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood in the heart of one of the world’s great university cities. Boston is home to Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern, Tufts, Boston College, and dozens of other institutions. Simmons students have access to cross-registration opportunities at partner institutions through the Colleges of the Fenway consortium.
Academic strengths: Nursing and health sciences, business and management, library and information science (Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science is nationally renowned), social work, communications, sciences, and the liberal arts.
Size: Approximately 1,700 undergraduate students a small, close-knit academic community with high faculty-to-student ratios and personal attention.
The Kotzen Scholarship — Full Package
The scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.
Complete Coverage:
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full tuition | 100% — all four years |
| Mandatory fees | All required university fees |
| Room | On-campus housing |
| Board | Meal plan |
| Annual enrichment award | $3,000/year |
| Duration | 4 years of full-time undergraduate study |
The $3,000 Annual Enrichment Award
An additional annual award of $3,000 is given for study abroad, summer internship tuition, short-term courses, or research support.
This is genuinely distinctive. Most scholarships cover costs of attendance and stop there. The Kotzen’s $3,000/year enrichment fund supports:
- Study abroad — semester or summer international programs
- Summer internship tuition — for-credit internship programs
- Short-term courses — specialized training or intensive programs
- Research support — materials, travel, conference presentations for undergraduate research
Over four years, that is $12,000 in additional funding specifically for academic and professional development beyond the classroom.
Supersedes Other Merit Awards
The scholarship supersedes any previously awarded merit scholarship.
If you have already been offered a Simmons merit scholarship of $25,000 and then receive the Kotzen, the Kotzen replaces it entirely, it does not stack on top. But since the Kotzen covers everything, that is a substantial upgrade rather than a loss.
Eligibility — Academic Requirements
Students applying for the Simmons University Kotzen Scholarships must meet the following criteria: Required Language: English. Eligible Countries: All countries. Standardized test score of 28 or higher (ACT), 1300 or higher (new SAT), or 1250 or higher (old SAT – CR+M). A minimum of 600 in each SAT section is strongly recommended. Apply as a freshman for the fall semester. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores. College preparatory curriculum, including an advanced-level math course during or before your senior year of high school. GPA of 3.3 or higher, unweighted.
Complete Requirements:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Countries | All countries eligible ✅ |
| Entry level | First-year (freshman) undergraduate ONLY |
| Semester | Fall entry only |
| GPA | 3.3 or higher, unweighted |
| SAT (new) | 1300 or higher |
| SAT (old, CR+M) | 1250 or higher |
| ACT | 28 or higher |
| SAT per section | 600+ in each section strongly recommended |
| English proficiency | TOEFL required for non-native English speakers |
| Curriculum | College preparatory, including advanced math |
| Advanced math | During or before senior year of high school |
| Course rigor | A record of taking honors, advanced placement (AP), and international baccalaureate (IB) courses, as available in their high school systems. |
Understanding the “As Available” Clause
The AP/IB/Honors requirement includes the phrase “as available in their high school systems.” This matters significantly for international applicants.
Many school systems worldwide do not offer AP or IB. Pakistani, Nigerian, Kenyan, Bangladeshi, and many other national curricula have their own advanced tracks A-Levels, WAEC, national board examinations with advanced subject options.
Simmons evaluates course rigor relative to what was available to you. If your school offered no AP or IB, taking the most advanced available track in your system (A-Levels, advanced national curriculum options, honors streams) satisfies this criterion.
Non-Native English Speakers
Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores.
Note: BOTH TOEFL AND (SAT or ACT). Non-native English speakers cannot substitute one for the other, TOEFL demonstrates language proficiency; SAT/ACT demonstrates academic readiness.
Selection Criteria — Beyond Test Scores
Selection is based on academic excellence, leadership potential, involvement in extracurricular activities, and a demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact.
Meeting the GPA and test score minimums makes you eligible, it does not make you competitive. The Kotzen is highly competitive, and only a limited number of scholarships are awarded each year.
What distinguishes successful applicants:
Academic excellence beyond minimums: GPA 3.3 is the floor. Successful Kotzen Scholars typically present significantly stronger academic records 3.7-4.0 unweighted GPAs, SAT scores well above 1300, and evidence of intellectual engagement beyond coursework.
Leadership potential: Evidence that you have led student organizations, community initiatives, teams, projects. Not just membership; leadership with demonstrated outcomes.
Extracurricular involvement: Sustained engagement in activities that matter to you sports, arts, debate, volunteering, entrepreneurship. Depth over breadth.
Commitment to positive impact: Simmons’ founding purpose was social creating opportunity for those who lacked it. The Kotzen Scholarship selects students whose values align with that mission. Applicants who demonstrate genuine commitment to their communities and to making a difference are meaningfully advantaged.
Renewal Requirements
The Kotzen Scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters, provided recipients maintain high academic performance and participate in leadership development activities.
Eight semesters = four academic years. Renewal requires:
- Maintaining strong academic performance (specific GPA threshold set by Simmons)
- Participating in the Kotzen Scholars leadership development programming
- Remaining a full-time undergraduate student
The leadership development component means the Kotzen is not simply a financial award, it is a scholars program with expectations of engagement.
Application Process
Applicants must complete and submit both their scholarship application and their admission application to the college by December 1.
Step-by-Step:
Step 1: Prepare standardized tests early (12-18 months ahead)
- SAT: Target 1300+ (with 600+ per section)
- ACT: Target 28+
- TOEFL: For non-native English speakers
Register early. SAT/ACT test dates fill quickly in many countries, and score reporting takes weeks.
Step 2: Verify your academic profile
- Unweighted GPA 3.3+ (calculate carefully unweighted means without AP/IB bonus points)
- Advanced math course completed or in progress
- Most rigorous available curriculum track
3: Apply for Simmons undergraduate admission Complete the Simmons application (Common Application or Simmons application) for fall first-year entry.
4: Complete the Kotzen Scholarship application Submit the separate Kotzen Scholarship application. This typically includes additional essays and materials beyond the admission application.
Step 5: Submit BOTH by December 1 Both applications must be received by December 1. This is earlier than Simmons’ regular admission deadlines, it aligns with early action/early decision timelines.
Step 6: Consider the Simmons Honors Program Students who meet the criteria below are often also interested in the Simmons Honors Program. Visit the Honors program page to apply.
Kotzen-qualified applicants are typically strong Honors Program candidates. Applying to both maximizes your opportunities.
Related: Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award
First year students applying for the fall semester, including international applicants, are eligible to apply for the Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award. This is a highly prestigious and competitive award offered each year.
Simmons offers a second major award the Distinguished Scholar Award also covering full tuition, fees, room, and board for four years. Eligible applicants should investigate both.
Quick Reference
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Kotzen Scholarship |
| University | Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA |
| Level | Undergraduate — first-year only |
| Entry | Fall semester only |
| Countries | ALL countries |
| Coverage | Full tuition + fees + room + board |
| Enrichment award | $3,000/year (study abroad, research, internships) |
| Duration | 4 years (8 semesters) |
| Total value | ~$290,000+ over 4 years |
| GPA | 3.3+ unweighted |
| SAT (new) | 1300+ (600+ per section recommended) |
| ACT | 28+ |
| TOEFL | Required for non-native English speakers |
| Curriculum | College prep + advanced math + AP/IB/Honors (as available) |
| Renewal | Academic performance + leadership participation |
| Supersedes | Any previously awarded merit scholarship |
| Deadline | December 1 annually |
| Applications required | BOTH scholarship + admission |
| Simmons cost of attendance | $73,559/year (2026-27) |
| Standard merit range | $16,000-30,000/year (insufficient alone) |
FAQ
What does the Kotzen Scholarship cover?
Full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board, plus an additional annual award of $3,000 for study abroad, summer internship tuition, short-term courses, or research support.
Which countries are eligible?
All countries.
What GPA do I need?
3.3 or higher, unweighted.
Is this for graduate students?
No, apply as a freshman for the fall semester. First-year undergraduates only.
What is the deadline?
December 1 each year both the scholarship application and the admission application.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes, renewable for up to eight semesters (four years), provided recipients maintain high academic performance and participate in leadership development activities.
Do non-native English speakers need both TOEFL and SAT?
Yes, non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores.
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