You CAN Afford a Christian University

Houghton University has doubled down on its recent tuition reset to make a Christ-centered university education even more affordable for families with the Founder’s Promise Scholarship for students accepted to begin in fall 2024.

Discover if you are eligible

Your financial aid offer could cover the cost of tuition

The Founder’s Promise Scholarship

is awarded to Pell-eligible students to elevate their award to equal the cost of tuition. Houghton’s scholarships are backed by gifts from generous alumni and friends of the University who believe in your God-given potential and that Houghton will equip you to fulfill it.

Read the Announcement

You will receive this award if you meet all the following:

Accepted for regular admission (2.75+ GPA) to Houghton University

Eligible for $6,000 or more in Pell Grant based on your Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Are an incoming first-time, full-time college student at the Houghton, NY campus in Fall 2025

Living in University-owned housing or a University-approved commuter

This scholarship is available for up to eight academic semesters in total so long as a student remains Pell eligible.

Wesleyan Pastor's Kids (PK's)

Starting in Fall 2025, a Founder’s Promise Scholarship for Wesleyan PK’s has been established. You must meet the criteria above along with the following:

One of your parents is an ordained or lead pastor serving a Wesleyan Church (verified by Superintendent)
Eligible for the Pell Grant (any amount) based on your Free Application for Student Financial Aid.

Missionary Kids (MK's)

Starting in Fall 2025, a Founder’s Promise for MK’s has been established. You must meet the criteria above along with the following:

Eligibility for the Founders Promise for Missionary Kid’s assumes that the MK and his/her parents are citizens of the U.S. and are able to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. An MK would have spent a significant part of their developmental years outside the US and would sometimes describe themselves as third culture kids.

Who is Pell eligible?

Pell eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education and is based on the information you provide for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See below for a few examples of Pell eligible students.

Dakota
Received free lunch in high school and is the first of her sisters to go to college.
Sierra
Joined her older sisters at college and their parents make a combined $55,000.
Eli
Lives out of state with a household annual income of $73,000 and his older sister is already in college.

Check Your Eligibility

You can see how much Pell you qualify for after you submit your FAFSA. Once you have completed the form, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary that provides an estimated Student Aid Index number and if eligible, an approximate amount of Federal Pell Grant funds. If the report indicates that you will receive $6000 or more a year in Pell, then you may be eligible for Founders.

How does this compare to the New York State Excelsior Scholarship?

While the Excelsior Scholarship covers the balance of tuition for public colleges in New York, Houghton’s Founder’s Promise Scholarship opens the door for more students to gain access to an academically excellent, Christ-centered university education. The Founder’s Promise Scholarship is eligible for both in-state and out-of-state students. In addition, students will not be limited in where they can live and work after graduation but may follow God’s calling to serve anywhere around the world.

34%

of new students in fall 2024, across 15 states, received the Founder’s Promise Scholarship

Take the Next Steps

Complete your free online application to Houghton University and submit your FAFSA to discover if you are eligible to receive the Founder’s Promise Scholarship.

Apply for Admission Apply for Aid

Historic sepia photo of Houghton University campus.

Why Founder’s Promise?

Willard J. Houghton founded the school we know today as Houghton University to provide a first-rate education for the young people of Allegany County. After seeing the spread of poverty and moral decline in the area following construction of the Genesee Valley Canal, Willard determined that he would see the next generation freed from the cycle. He often signed his letters, “Yours for fixing up the world,” and believed that a Christ-centered education was the first step to investing in a trajectory altering experience for the young people who would change the world.

Today, Houghton’s mission continues through high-quality programs designed to equip students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to expand their career and life opportunities through the intentional integration of Christian formation and academic excellence. This not only changes the life of the student, but also alters the future trajectory of their family and their community for generations. The Founder’s Promise Scholarship is a continuation of Willard J. Houghton’s original mission for the institution: to ensure that cost is not a barrier for a student to receive a high-quality and Christ-centered university education.

Historic black and white photography of Willard Houghton.

Have Questions?

The Student Financial Services team is committed to helping you understand the cost of college for your family. Contact 585.567.9328 or SFSO@houghton.edu to connect.

The Founder’s Promise Scholarship is calculated after all other funds are applied. This includes federal and state grants, donor funded, presidential, Luckey, merit aid and any other Houghton-funded options. While the value of the award may fluctuate over time, the maximum award is determined during the initial year of eligibility and will continue as long as you remain eligible. Total grant and scholarship awards will not exceed the cost of tuition.