Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Okay, listen — if you’re finishing high school right now and the idea of studying in Boston without drowning in debt sounds good, you need to know about the Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship before the deadline hits in two days.

It’s a women-focused university (they accept trans and non-binary students too) right in the middle of Boston, and this Kotzen Scholarship thing is their absolute top award. If you get it, they pay full tuition, all the random fees, and room + food for four years. Plus there’s sometimes an extra $3,000 a year for study abroad or internships — not always advertised, but it shows up for winners.

Also Apply Chevening Scholarship for International Students 2026

Details About Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship

Host Country	United States (Boston, MA)
Host Institution	Simmons University
Degree Level	Undergraduate (Bachelor’s)
Eligibility	International first-years; 3.5+ GPA; proven leadership
Benefits	Fully Funded
Number of Awards	~10–15 per year
Duration	4 years
Application Fee	Waivable
Deadline	December 1, 2025

Simmons Kotzen Scholarship Overview 2026-2027

Simmons University is this small-ish private school famous for nursing, social work, public health, and a ton of liberal arts stuff, but they also have solid computer science, finance, and biochem programs. The campus is literally next to Fenway Park — you can hear the games from the dorms. The Kotzen Scholarship is for first-year students only (no transfers) and they only give out maybe ten or twelve of these each year, so it’s competitive, but not impossible if you actually have a story to tell.

This merit-based scholarship targets high-achieving women with a knack for leadership and community service, letting you dive into a transformative education in Boston’s vibrant scene. It’s all about building skills for undergraduate studies in fields like women’s studies or international relations, with access to the Simmons Honors Program if you’re into extra challenges.

Scholarship Benefits (What You Actually Get)

• Tuition → completely done.
• Room and board → fully covered, so you’re eating and sleeping for free.
• Mandatory fees → paid
• Sometimes an extra $3,000 per year for summer research, internships, or a semester abroad — perfect for boosting your resume in social justice or STEM fields.

You walk out with zero loans and four years of living in one of the best student cities in the world, ready for career opportunities in global leadership.

Eligibility Requirements for 2026 Intake

They want:

• At least a 3.5 unweighted GPA (3.3 is the absolute floor, but almost nobody gets in with that).
• A tough high school schedule — APs, honors, IB, whatever your school offers.
• Leadership that actually meant something — not just “member of student council,” but “I started a recycling program that’s still running” kind of thing.
• If English isn’t your first language, TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 6.5+.
• SAT/ACT are optional now, but if you have 1300+ SAT it definitely helps.

This undergraduate scholarship is open to international students from all countries, emphasizing academic excellence and extracurricular activities like volunteering or debate.

Also See: KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship 2026 Application Deadline

Everything has to be in by December 1, 2025 — that’s this coming Monday. Both the normal admission application and the separate Kotzen Scholarship essay + resume. No extensions, no mercy.

Required Documents

• Your regular admission application (Common App or their own).
• High school transcript.
• TOEFL/IELTS if needed.
• One leadership essay (300–500 words) — they ask you to describe your leadership style with real examples and what kind of leader you’ll be at Simmons.
• A one-page resume that actually shows impact.

You email the essay and resume directly to ugadm@simmons.edu with your name and birthday on every page.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Finish your admission application first (Common App is easiest).
2. Write the leadership essay — don’t just list stuff, tell the story of one or two moments that actually changed you.
3. Make a clean resume — one page, strong verbs, numbers wherever possible.
4. Put essay + resume in one email, subject line exactly “Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award application,” send before midnight December 1.
5. If they like you, you’ll get an interview invite in February (in person if you can travel, Skype if you can’t).
6. Decisions come out beginning of March.

The application process is straightforward, focusing on your personal statement and academic record to highlight your fit for Boston undergraduate scholarships.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Acceptance

• Don’t write a perfect robot essay. Write like you’re telling the story to someone who actually cares.
• Mention something specific about Simmons — a professor, a program, the fact that it’s in Boston — show you did five minutes of research.
• If your GPA is on the lower side (like 3.6), make the leadership part insane.
• Get someone ruthless to read your essay — tore it apart and it was 100 % better after.
• Submit a couple days early — the inbox gets crazy on December 1.

Tailor your merit scholarship app to showcase intellectual curiosity and how you’ll contribute to campus life in health sciences or business administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Website

For more details and deadlines visit the Kotzen Scholarship Page.