Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship 2027 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship is one of the most generous fully funded awards available to international students pursuing undergraduate study in the United States. It covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board for the entire four-year duration of undergraduate study. On top of that, recipients receive an annual grant of $3,000 to support activities such as study abroad programmes, summer internships, short-term courses, and research projects.

This scholarship is open to students from all countries around the world who are applying to Simmons University as first-year undergraduate students for the fall semester. It is designed for high-achieving students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to their personal and professional development. If you have consistently challenged yourself academically and have a story to tell about the kind of leader you are becoming, this scholarship was built with you in mind.

This post covers everything you need to know about the Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, including what the scholarship covers, who is eligible, what documents you need, how to apply step by step, and tips to strengthen your application before the December 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Overview

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for the Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Citizenship and Residency: Students from all countries around the world are eligible to apply. There are no geographic restrictions on nationality.

Application Status: You must be applying as a first-year undergraduate student (freshman) for the fall semester. This scholarship is not available to transfer students or continuing students.

Academic Performance:  You must have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher from your high school. A strong record of taking honours, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, where available in your school system, is also expected. Your curriculum must include a college preparatory programme, specifically an advanced level mathematics course taken during or before your senior year of high school.

Standardised Test Scores:  You must submit one of the following:

• ACT score of 28 or higher
• New SAT score of 1300 or higher
• Old SAT (Critical Reading and Mathematics) score of 1250 or higher

A minimum of 600 in each SAT section is strongly recommended.

English Language Requirements:  The required language of instruction is English. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores in addition to their SAT or ACT results. 

Other Requirements: The scholarship replaces any previously awarded merit-based scholarship from Simmons University. Finalists are also considered strong candidates for the Simmons Honors Programme, which applicants are encouraged to explore separately.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

The Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship is open to students from all countries worldwide. There are no restrictions based on nationality or country of origin.

Whether you are applying from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, or the Pacific, you are eligible to apply as long as you meet the academic and application requirements listed above.

ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY

The Kotzen Scholarship is available across a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes offered at Simmons University. The following courses of study are confirmed as eligible:

African Studies (BA), Accounting (BSBA), Art (BA), Arts Administration (BA), Biochemistry (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS), Biostatistics (BS), Business Management (BSBA), Chemistry (BS), Chemistry Management (BS), Cinema and Media Studies (Minor), Communications (BA), Computer Science (BS), Computer Science (BS)/Library and Information Science (MS), Data Science and Analytics (BS), East Asian Studies (BA), Economics (BA), Economics (BA)/Public Policy (MPP), Economics and Mathematics (BS), Elementary Education (BA/BS and MAT/MS), English (BA), Environmental Science (BS), Exercise Science (BS), Exercise Science (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS), Exercise Science (BS)/Physical Therapy (DPT), Finance (BSBA), Financial Mathematics (BS), French (BA), Graphic Design (Concentration), Health Care Management (Minor), Health Informatics (BS), History (BA), Information Technology (BS), Information Technology (BS)/Library and Information Science (MS), International Relations (BA), Journalism (Concentration), Marketing (BSBA), Mathematics (BS), Media Arts (Concentration), Music (BA), Neuroscience and Behaviour (BS), Nursing (BS), Nursing (BS)/Nursing (MS), Nursing (BSN) for RN Holders, Nutrition (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS), Nutrition and Dietetics (BS), Nutrition and Food (BS), Philosophy (BA), Physics (BS), Political Science (BA), Political Science (BA)/Public Policy (MPP) 3+1 Programme, Psychology (BA), Public Health (BS or BA), Public Health (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS) 4+1 Programme, Public Relations and Marketing Communications (BA), Retail Management (BSBA), Social Work (BSW), Social Work (BSW)/Social Work (MSW) 3+1 Programme, Sociology (BA), Sociology (BA)/Public Policy (MPP) 3+1 Programme, Spanish (BA), Special Education (BA/BS and MSEd) 4+1 Programme, Web Design and Development (BS), Women’s and Gender Studies (BA).

Minors available within the scholarship include: Business, Entrepreneurship, Gender History, Organisational Studies, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics of Materials, Public History, Public Policy Studies, Radio, Scientific Computation, Statistics, Sustainability, and Principled Leadership.

BENEFITS

The Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship is fully funded and provides the following:

1. Full Tuition Coverage: The scholarship pays for complete tuition costs for the entire four-year undergraduate degree at Simmons University. No partial funding applies here.
2. Mandatory Fees: All mandatory university fees are covered under the scholarship award.
3. Room and Board:  Accommodation and meals are included, meaning your living costs on campus are covered for the full duration of your studies.
4. Annual Enrichment Grant of $3,000:  Each year of the scholarship, recipients receive an additional $3,000 grant. This can be used for study abroad programmes, summer internship tuition, short-term courses, or research project support. This grant is separate from tuition and gives scholars the financial flexibility to pursue experiences beyond the classroom.

Note: This scholarship replaces any previously awarded merit-based scholarship from Simmons University. If you have already received a merit award from Simmons, the Kotzen Scholarship supersedes it.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Based on the application requirements, you will need to prepare the following:

1. Completed Simmons University admission application
2. Completed scholarship application (submitted separately alongside the admission application)
3. High school transcripts showing your unweighted GPA and course history
4. Standardised test scores (ACT, new SAT, or old SAT)
5. TOEFL scores (required for non-native English speakers)
6. Resume or curriculum vitae (submitted in PDF or Word format)
7. Formal leadership essay of 300 to 500 words (details below)

HOW TO APPLY

Follow these steps carefully to submit a complete and competitive application:

Step 1: Begin your Simmons University admission application as early as possible. Do not wait until the scholarship deadline to start your admission application, as both must be submitted together.

Step 2: Complete the Kotzen Scholarship application in full. Both the admission application and the scholarship application must be submitted by 1 December 2026.

Step 3: Write your formal leadership essay. Your essay should be between 300 and 500 words. The prompt asks you to describe your leadership style, provide specific examples of experiences that have shaped you as a leader, and reflect on the kind of leader you intend to become at Simmons University. Be specific and personal.

Step 4: Prepare your resume in PDF or Word format. Your resume should highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community involvement, and any relevant experience.

Step 5: Ensure your essay and resume are saved as a single document or as separate files clearly labelled with your full name and date of birth on every page.

Step 6: Send your essay and resume by email to ugadm@simmons.edu with the subject line “Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award application” before 1 December 2026.

Step 7: Arrange for your standardised test scores (ACT or SAT) and, if applicable, your TOEFL scores to be sent to Simmons University directly from the testing body. Do not send unofficial copies.

Step 8: Submit your complete admission application through the official Simmons University admissions portal before 1 December 2026.

Step 9: If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited to complete an on-campus interview in February. If you are an international student unable to travel to campus, a remote interview via video call may be arranged instead. Prepare for this by reviewing your essay responses and thinking through your leadership examples in depth.

Step 10: After your interview, wait for the official selection results. If awarded the scholarship, you will receive formal confirmation along with next steps for enrolment.

KEY DATES AND TIMELINE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application deadline for the Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship is 1 December 2026.

Both your scholarship application and your Simmons University admission application must be submitted by this date. Your essay and resume must also be emailed to ugadm@simmons.edu with the subject line “Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award application” no later than 1 December 2026.

Each page of your emailed documents must include your full name and date of birth.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Kotzen Scholarship is not awarded on academic performance alone. The selection committee looks for the following qualities in addition to meeting the basic eligibility requirements:

1. Academic Excellence: Strong GPA, a rigorous course history including AP, IB, or honours courses, and competitive standardised test scores are the foundation of a strong application. Meeting the minimum is not the same as being competitive.
2. Demonstrated Leadership: The scholarship places significant emphasis on leadership. The essay prompt specifically asks you to reflect on your leadership style and provide concrete examples. Vague or generic responses about wanting to make a difference will not stand out. The committee wants to see evidence of how you have already led and influenced others.
3. Vision and Intentionality: Candidates who can articulate clearly what kind of leader they intend to become at Simmons, and why Simmons is the right environment for that growth, are more likely to impress the selection panel.
4. Interview Performance: Finalists are required to attend an on-campus or virtual interview in February. How you present yourself, handle questions, and demonstrate self-awareness in conversation will carry significant weight in the final decision.
5. Potential for Impact: This scholarship was created to support students who are likely to make a meaningful contribution both during their time at Simmons and beyond graduation. Think about how to communicate your potential for long-term impact in your essay and interview.

IMPORTANT TIPS

1. Start both applications early: The December 1 deadline applies to your admission application and your scholarship application simultaneously. Leaving either until the last week is a significant risk.
2. Take the essay prompt seriously: The 300 to 500 word essay on leadership is not a formality. It is a core part of the selection process. Spend real time on it, draft it multiple times, and get feedback from a teacher, mentor, or trusted adult before submitting.
3. Be specific in your essay: The prompt asks for specific examples. A general claim that you are a natural leader will not distinguish you. Name the situation, describe what you did, and explain what changed because of your involvement.
4. Email your documents correctly: The subject line of your email must read exactly: “Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award application.” Every page of your document must include your full name and date of birth. A simple formatting error here could delay the processing of your application.
5. Secure your test scores in advance: If you still need to sit the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL, schedule your tests immediately to ensure your official scores are available and sent to Simmons University before 1 December 2026. Do not rely on unofficial copies.
6. Look into the Simmons Honors Programme: The university notes that Kotzen finalists are strong candidates for the Honors Programme. Reading about it will help you understand the kind of scholarly community Simmons is trying to build, and that understanding will strengthen both your essay and your interview responses.
7. Prepare for the interview from day one: Finalists are interviewed in February. That means if you are shortlisted, you will have weeks, not months, to prepare. Start thinking now about the leadership examples you would share in a formal interview setting.
8. Do not apply to only one scholarship: The Kotzen Scholarship is highly competitive. While you prepare this application, continue researching and applying for other fully funded opportunities so that your future does not depend on a single outcome.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this scholarship open to students from my country?

Yes. The Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship is open to students from all countries worldwide. There are no nationality or citizenship restrictions. As long as you meet the academic and application requirements, you are eligible to apply regardless of where you are from.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship and for admission to Simmons University?

Yes. You must complete and submit both your Simmons University admission application and your scholarship application separately. Both must be received by 1 December 2026. In addition, your leadership essay and resume must be emailed to ugadm@simmons.edu by the same date.

Can I apply for the Kotzen Scholarship if I have already received a merit scholarship from Simmons?

The Kotzen Scholarship replaces any previously awarded merit-based scholarship from Simmons University. If you are awarded the Kotzen Scholarship, your earlier merit award will no longer apply.

What should my leadership essay focus on? 

Your essay should describe your personal leadership style using specific real-life examples. The prompt also asks you to reflect on what kind of leader you plan to become during your time at Simmons. Keep it between 300 and 500 words and make it personal, specific, and honest.

What happens if I am selected as a finalist? 

Finalists will be required to complete an interview in February. The interview is typically held on campus at Simmons University in Boston, but international applicants who cannot travel may be offered a remote interview via video call instead.

Is the scholarship renewable for all four years?

Yes. The scholarship is awarded for the full normal period of undergraduate study, which is four years. Recipients must maintain eligibility throughout their enrolment. 

What can the $3,000 annual enrichment grant be used for?

The annual $3,000 grant can be applied toward study abroad programmes, summer internship tuition, short-term courses, or research project support. It is designed to give scholars financial flexibility to pursue meaningful learning experiences beyond regular coursework.

What is the minimum English language requirement for international students?

Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores alongside their SAT or ACT results. 

OFFICIAL LINK

To apply and to access the official scholarship and admission application portal, visit the Simmons University admissions website at: www.simmons.edu/undergraduate/admission-and-financial-aid

For scholarship-specific enquiries and to submit your essay and resume, email: ugadm@simmons.edu with the subject line “Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award application.”

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