For students with exceptional talent and vision, Creighton presents an extraordinary opportunity: the Distinguished Scholars Program. With 13 distinctive programs, there are unique scholarship and leadership opportunities for those who thrive academically and lead with purpose.
Many programs require a supplemental application and an interview. Students are encouraged to interview at Distinguished Scholars Interview Day in person, but virtual interviews are available.
Applications open in November for eligible students in the New Student Portal. Some programs may require an interview.
Submitting applications to multiple programs will not affect your admission decision. We encourage you to apply to all programs for which you are both interested and eligible. Please note, though, that you may enroll in only one program. Some of the Creighton Pre-Professional Scholars Program (CPPSP) can be an exception to this. For example, you could participate in both Honors and CPPSP Law but not Honors and the Freshman Leadership Program.
If you apply to more than one program, you’ll be able to rank your preferences after the application process is complete.
Members of this prestigious program are passionate and engaged servant-leaders in our campus community. They also have access to research and foreign study stipends plus more opportunities.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Create student leaders who embody the Jesuit values of Creighton University both on and off campus.
Contact: AnthonyCalcagno@creighton.edu | 402.280.4009
Gain high-impact learning experiences through leadership, study abroad and grant-supported research opportunities. You’ll craft an individualized study program and be part of a living-learning community for Honors freshmen.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Cultivate a vibrant, supportive community where students are empowered to explore ideas deeply, engage with diverse perspectives and transform their learning into meaningful impact.
Contact: AnthonyCalcagno@creighton.edu
In the Heider Fellows Program, student leaders incorporate the business environment into everyday student life. The program fosters a community of high-achieving business leaders, uniquely positioning Heider Fellows for specialized internships and future job placement.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Prepare undergraduate business leaders to navigate a changing world with integrity, blending professional development, mentorship and real-world experience.
Contact: AnnaMarenPierce@creighton.edu | 402.280.2480
Join the country's most comprehensive pre-professional advising program for dentistry, law, medicine, PT, OT and pharmacy. The program provides qualifying students the opportunity to be part of our extraordinary guarantee program.
Interview: Required
Length: Varies by program
Purpose: Provide students who are interested in professional studies with intentional pre-professional advising and a variety of academic benefits.
Contact: admissions@creighton.edu | 402.280.2703
This nationally recognized program provides an alternative to regular residence hall life. In addition to living in community, FLP members are enrolled in a course, serve in the community, complete a leadership portfolio project and attend other leaders-based events together.
Interview: Not required
Length: 1 year
Purpose: Form ethical citizen-scholars through a living-learning community that integrates service, mentorship, leadership development and academic exploration, preparing them to lead for and with others.
Contact: admissions@creighton.edu
Creighton’s premier nationally competitive nursing scholarship and leadership initiative selects seven to eight students each year to receive a $40,000 annual education scholarship. Through career development and mentorship, advocacy and service learning, retreats and a variety of enrichment opportunities, the program develops students into compassionate, innovative and ethical nurse leaders.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Form academically talented students into compassionate practitioners, innovative scholars, and ethical nurse leaders through Jesuit-rooted learning, reflection and engagement with health equity.
Contact: AnneHarty@creighton.edu
Creighton’s premier scholarship and training opportunity for history students provides up to $10,000 over four years to support tuition, research, internships, study abroad and other approved educational expenses. Fellows benefit from faculty mentorship and specialized programming, all designed to advance undergraduate research and professional development.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Empower highly motivated students to pursue their interests and discover new ones through undergraduate historical research and prepare for career opportunities.
Contact: AnthonyCalcagno@creighton.edu | 402.280.2884
Creighton’s Scott Scholars Program, the University’s top merit-based scholarship, is designed to cultivate future business leaders who embody entrepreneurship, innovation and a commitment to meaningful impact. Offering full tuition, room and board, along with unique programming and direct engagement with Omaha’s business community, the program provides scholars with the resources, mentorship and connections they need to excel academically and professionally while preparing to lead with purpose.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Equip future business leaders, who are entrepreneurial in spirit and strive for excellence, innovation and community impact.
Contact: AnnaMarenPierce@creighton.edu | 402.280.2686
At Creighton, we believe that a student body with a variety of experiences enriches our community. The Next Generation Leaders Program offers full-tuition scholarships and a four-year leadership experience for students committed to making a positive impact on campus and in their careers.
Interview: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: Empower purpose-driven students to lead change through four years of leadership development grounded in Creighton's Jesuit, Catholic values.
Contact: admissions@creighton.edu
Interview & case study: Required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: The Heider College of Business Ethic and Social Responsibility Scholarship provides $2,500 academic scholarships recognizing students for exceptional service accomplishments and leadership potential.
Contact: AnnaMarenPierce@creighton.edu
All applicants are required to complete an audition or portfolio review. Applicants may elect to complete their audition or portfolio review virtually over Zoom or sign up to attend an in-person audition or portfolio review on campus during select dates.
Renewal beyond sophomore year requires declaring a major or minor in art, music or theatre or a minor in dance.
Audition or interview: Required
Purpose: The $4,000 renewable scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who intend to major or minor in visual or performing arts. The scholarship is given by the Grace Keenan Endowment to the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
Contact: AnthonyCalcagno@creighton.edu
Students are selected based on the following criteria:
Interview: Not required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: The Christina M. Hixson Scholarship in Business awards $5,000 to academically motivated incoming freshmen business students from Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
Contact: AnnaMarenPierce@creighton.edu
Apply for this scholarship through your New Student Portal. Financial need is considered when selecting recipients of these awards. Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 15.
Renewal requires maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.75, filing the FAFSA each year, and declaring a major in either Journalism or Graphic Design.
Interview: Not required
Length: 4 years
Purpose: The $6,000 renewable scholarship is available to incoming freshman enrolling in the College of Arts and Sciences with an intended major of Journalism or Graphic Design. The scholarship is endowed by the estate of Joella Cohen, a 1948 Creighton graduate.
Contact: AnthonyCalcagno@creighton.edu
Check the New Student Portal. You’ll see all applications you’re eligible for, as well as the status for applications you’ve started but may still need to submit additional materials to complete.
Yes, you will rank your preferences in the first week of February. The selections are then made through a mutual selection process.
No, you may only apply to one Pre-Professional Scholars Program. We encourage you to select the professional school you are most interested in.
No. Apply to everything that interests you. Programs do not see what else you have applied for.
You’ll receive an email a few days after Distinguished Scholars Program Interview Day with a survey to rank your preferences. You’ll only have a few days to complete it, so be sure to fill it out promptly.
Think about what kind of experiences you want to supplement your Creighton education instead of about what program might look best on your resume. Each program has a unique set of opportunities. Consider which one best matches your goals.
No,* you may only participate in one program. However, you are encouraged to apply for all programs for which you are interested and eligible.
We limit you to one program to avoid overcommitting yourself. Also, some programs have conflicting activities.
*One exception: You can participate in one of the Pre-Professional Scholars Programs AND one other Distinguished Scholars Program.
Program and scholarship decisions will be released in mid-February.
