The Signature Scholarship is Holy Cross College’s most prestigious merit award. All First Year applicants whose applications are submitted on or before February 15 are eligible to be considered for a Signature Scholarship. Admitted students who are nominated for a Signature Scholarship will be notified of their nomination in the decision notification. Signature Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for need-based aid, so nominees should be sure to file the FAFSA (or indicate to the Financial Aid Office if they will not be filing). The Signature Scholarship will be renewed annually for up to four years, provided that the recipient meets the minimum GPA for the respective award.

The Signature Scholarship awarding process requires a short supplemental essay in addition to an interview, which can be completed via phone or virtual meeting. The interview is 20-30 minutes in length and is typically completed within two weeks of receiving the nomination. To register for an interview, please log in to your Holy Cross Applicant Portal.

Blessed Basil Moreau Award

Basil Moreau, a priest and professor of Philosophy and Theology in post-revolutionary France, founded the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837.  At the direction of Father Moreau, Father Edward Sorin and six Holy Cross Brothers traveled from France to northern Indiana to found the University of Notre Dame in 1842.

Today, the Congregation of Holy Cross oversees several colleges across the United States, including Holy Cross College. True to Moreau’s vision, Holy Cross schools around the world adopt a model of Christian education that is holistic, educating the heart and mind. Basil Moreau was beatified by Pope Benedict in 2007 in Le Mans, France.

To honor Blessed Basil Moreau, this award recognizes students whose academic achievements and zeal for seeking the truth will strengthen the classroom experience for all Holy Cross College students.

St. André Bessette Award

As a Holy Cross Brother, André Bessette lived an exemplary life of faith, hope, and charity. Because of his great love for Christ and St. Joseph, he oversaw the construction of the Oratory of St. Joseph, which continues to be a place for prayer, healing, and conversion of heart, not just for the people of Montreal, but also for pilgrims who visit it from all over the world.

St. André Bessette, a humble servant of the Church, became the Congregation of Holy Cross’s first saint when he was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

In the spirit of St. André, this award recognizes students whose dedication to faith and service will uniquely strengthen the identity of Holy Cross College as a Catholic institution. St. André Scholars are expected to be active members of the campus community, serving as models of faith and charity, while they themselves are formed as Christians called to holiness.

The Anchor Award for Athletics

Basil Moreau and André Bessette inspire us all to live of character and mission. At Holy Cross, the Saints of our athletic teams live this out both in the classroom and on the courts, fields, and courses on which they play. For this reason, each of our varsity athletic teams selects one nominee for the Anchor Award for Athletics.

The Anchor is part of the symbol of the Congregation of Holy Cross and thus has deep roots in our history and mission. It reminds us to be strong in our faith, to act with courage even in the midst of challenge, and to be unwavering in our sacrifice for our common mission. These are the values that the best athletes exhibit on behalf of their team.

The Anchor Award recipient will be a steady, consistent, and reliable source of leadership in helping the team—and indeed all their fellow Holy Cross Saints—to see what heroic virtue looks like.

Portions of biographies taken from holycrosscongregation.org

Q: What is a Signature Scholarship?
A: Signature Scholarships are Holy Cross College’s way of recognizing students who have special gifts to share with our campus community. These students embody talents, passions, and characteristics that will advance the mission of Holy Cross in faith, service, academics, and athletic excellence.

Q: How does the nomination process work?
A: All new First Year applicants are automatically considered for nomination as part of the application review process by the Office of Admissions. Those applicants selected as nominees will be notified of their status in the admissions packet. The nomination process is highly selective.

Q: How many Signature Scholarships will be awarded?
A: The number of scholarships awarded will vary according to the number of applicants nominated.

Q: Can I receive need-based aid, too?
A: Yes. Some students receive additional need-based aid based on the results of the FAFSA. So be sure we have your FAFSA on file 007263 if you want to be considered for need-based aid.

Q: How do I prepare for the interview?
A: Interviewers will have reviewed your application and supplemental essay. Be prepared to answer questions about your participation in school, community, and church extracurricular activities as well as the reasons why you think you would be a good fit for Holy Cross College.

Q: With whom will I interview?
A: Faculty members, staff, and college leadership will serve as interviewers.

Q: When will I find out if I receive the award?
A: Scholarship award decisions will be released approximately two weeks after completing your interview, so long as we have received your FAFSA (or you have indicated to our office that you will not be submitting).

Q: Is there a GPA requirement to maintain the scholarship while I am enrolled at Holy Cross College?
A: Yes. Anchor Award winners are expected to maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, André Award winners are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, and Moreau Award winners are expected to maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA. If your GPA drops below the minimum for two semesters, your award is subject to being reduced or removed until your GPA meets minimum requirements once more.

Q: For what other reasons could my scholarship award be adjusted?
A: The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to adjust any Holy Cross College scholarship according to its policies. For example, the award could be adjusted if information is received (new outside scholarships, updated FAFSA, etc.) that requires an updated financial aid award letter.