The Chapman Scholars Program at Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) is one of the university’s most prestigious merit awards. Each year the program selects a small cohort of high-achieving incoming first-year students for a four-year scholarship that covers tuition, fees, housing, textbooks and additional support aimed at building engaged scholar-leaders.
Who can apply
- High school seniors (incoming first-year students) who meet PFW’s admission requirements and who are invited to participate in the Summit Scholars competition. International students are eligible and have been selected as Chapman Scholars in recent years.
Requirements (quick list)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic standing | Typically extremely high unofficial guidance lists top-tier GPAs (e.g., ~3.95/4.0) or equivalent performance. |
| Standardized tests | Competitively high SAT/ACT recommended (examples seen: SAT ~1380 or ACT ~29). International applicants: TOEFL ≥89 or IELTS ~7.5 (where applicable). |
| Admission to PFW | You must apply and be admitted to Purdue University Fort Wayne (admissions completed by the PFW deadline). |
| Summit Scholars application | Invitation-only Summit Scholars application (includes essays and interview) required to compete for Chapman Scholars |
What it offers (coverage)
- Tuition and fees (for the scholarship term).
- Room & board (on-campus housing).
- Textbooks and some living stipends depending on the academic year/award wording.
- The program also provides mentorship, leadership and civic-engagement opportunities through the Summit Scholars structure.
Deadlines (important — confirm each admission cycle)
PFW publishes the Summit Scholars timeline (Chapman is part of Summit Scholars). For the 2025–2026 recruitment cycle the university lists these typical deadlines always confirm on the official PFW page for the cycle you are applying to:
- Apply to PFW (Admissions) by: January 6, 2026 (example from the 2026 cycle).
- Summit Scholars (Scholarship) application (essays + submission) by: January 15, 2026 (example from the 2026 cycle).
- Virtual Summit Scholars competition date (example): February 21, 2026 (interview/competition).
Important: dates change year-to-year. Always check the current Summit Scholars / Chapman Scholars page for the exact deadlines for the year you plan to apply.
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Apply for admission to Purdue University Fort Wayne and complete the admissions checklist by the admissions deadline for the scholarship cycle. (Admissions must be complete to be invited to the Summit Scholars application.)
- If invited, complete the Summit Scholars online application (this includes essays and additional materials). The Summit Scholars application is used to select participants for the Chapman and Doermer scholarships.
- Participate in the Summit Scholars competition/interview (virtual or in-person). Selection is based on application, essays, and interview—PFW faculty and staff score applications and interviews. Finalists are notified after the competition.
Quick facts table
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Program | Chapman Scholars Program (part of PFW Summit Scholars) |
| Institution | Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
| Award length | Up to 4 years (renewable with program terms) |
| Recipients per year | Typically 6 Chapman Scholars (program selectivity is high). |
| Typical application components | PFW admission, Summit Scholars application (essays), interview/competition. |