- Full tuitionPlus free room and board
- $3,000 / yearAnnual academic enrichment award
- GPA 3.3+Minimum academic requirement
- 60+ programmesEligible fields of study
- ~$70,000+ / year (est.)Estimated total annual value
- Founded 1899Simmons University in Boston
At a glance
full
Funding
€70k
Max amount
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
International students eligible
Country
Simmons University
Provider
The Gilbert and Marcia Kotzen Scholars Program at Simmons University is a full undergraduate scholarship in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Simmons University was founded in 1899 as a private women-centred institution and today offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programmes to more than 4,000 students. The Kotzen Scholarship is awarded to incoming first-year students on the basis of financial need, academic merit and the potential to add to campus diversity, and it honours Gilbert and Marcia Kotzen's commitment to international education. The award covers full tuition, free room and board, and an annual award of $3,000 for academic pursuits such as research support or study abroad. To be eligible, applicants apply as freshmen for the fall semester, must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher, and should have a record of honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework; non-native English speakers also submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores. Because Kotzen is open across Simmons' programmes, it spans fields from nursing and business to data science and the humanities. Confirm the exact award value, covered terms and current deadline on the official Simmons financial aid page before applying.
What's covered
- Full tuition — The Kotzen Scholarship covers the full cost of undergraduate tuition at Simmons University for the duration of the degree.
- Room and board — Free on-campus room and board, removing housing and meal-plan costs for the scholar.
- Academic enrichment award — An annual award of $3,000 for academic pursuits such as research support or study abroad.
- Estimated total value — Combined tuition, room, board and enrichment are estimated to be worth roughly ~$70,000 (est.) per year, depending on the published cost of attendance.
- Access to Simmons facilities — Full access to Simmons' faculty, research facilities and student community across its 60+ programmes.
How to apply
Applicants must complete both the Simmons admission application and the Kotzen scholarship application before the deadline. The scholarship application includes a formal essay and short-answer responses.
- Apply for admission to Simmons — Complete and submit the Simmons University undergraduate admission application for the fall semester before the deadline.
- Prepare the scholarship materials — Write the formal essay and short-answer responses that make up the two parts of the Kotzen scholarship application.
- Format your documents — Submit your essays and resume in PDF or Word document format, including your full name and date of birth on each page.
- Submit by email with the correct subject — Send your scholarship application by email using the subject line 'Kotzen Application' as instructed.
- Submit everything before the deadline — Ensure both the admission application and the scholarship application are received before the closing date.
Eligibility
Applicant statusMust apply as a freshman (first-year student) for the fall semester.
Academic recordMust have a GPA of 3.3 or higher and a record of honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework.
Test scoresNon-native English speakers must submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores.
Selection basisAwarded on financial need, academic merit and the potential to enhance diversity within the campus community.
Both the scholarship application and the admission application must be submitted before the deadline. Confirm test-score and document requirements for the current cycle on the official Simmons page.
Eligible countries
International students eligible, United States
Deadlines
Fall 2027 entry (2026/2027 application cycle)~1 December 2026 (est.)
Selection
Recipients are chosen on a combination of financial need, academic merit (including GPA and rigorous coursework) and their potential to enhance diversity on campus. The formal essay and short-answer responses are central to the review, and the Kotzen committee selects the strongest applicants for the award.
Verified sources
- Simmons University - Scholarships and Grantssimmons.eduofficial
- Simmons University - official sitesimmons.eduofficial
About the provider
Simmons University, founded in 1899 in Boston, Massachusetts, is a private university with a long focus on educating women and now offering over 60 undergraduate and graduate programmes to more than 4,000 students across business, nursing, the sciences, technology and the humanities.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Kotzen Scholarship?
+
It is the Gilbert and Marcia Kotzen Scholars Program at Simmons University, a full undergraduate scholarship for incoming first-year students based on need, merit and diversity potential.
What does the scholarship cover?
+
Full tuition, free room and board, and an annual award of $3,000 for academic pursuits such as research support or study abroad.
How much is the total award worth?
+
Combined tuition, room, board and the enrichment award are estimated at roughly ~$70,000 (est.) per year, depending on the published cost of attendance.
Who is eligible to apply?
+
Incoming first-year students applying for the fall semester with a GPA of 3.3 or higher and a record of honors, AP or IB coursework.
Can international students apply?
+
Yes. The program supports international undergraduate students, who may need to submit TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores as non-native English speakers.
What GPA do I need?
+
You need a GPA of 3.3 or higher, along with a record of rigorous coursework such as honors, AP or IB classes.
What fields of study are eligible?
+
The scholarship is open across Simmons' 60+ undergraduate programmes, from nursing and business to data science and the humanities.
How do I apply?
+
Complete both the Simmons admission application and the Kotzen scholarship application, then email your essays and resume with the subject line 'Kotzen Application'.
What format should my documents be in?
+
Submit your essays and resume in PDF or Word format, with your full name and date of birth on each page.
When is the deadline?
+
For the equivalent 2026/2027 cycle the deadline is estimated around 1 December 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date on the official Simmons page.
Is the scholarship need-based or merit-based?
+
Both. It is awarded on a combination of financial need, academic merit and the potential to enhance diversity within the campus community.
Where is Simmons University located?
+
Simmons University is a private institution founded in 1899 and located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.