QuestBridge

Denison is honored to be a QuestBridge college partner

Denison is honored to be a QuestBridge college partner, continuing our shared mission of providing a top-tier education to academically outstanding students regardless of financial background.

QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization that matches high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with the nation’s most selective colleges and universities. QuestBridge works with students from high school through college and beyond to promote student success in careers and life.

Applying to Denison through QuestBridge

QuestBridge National College Match Finalists Ranking Denison

Students who were selected as QuestBridge National College Match Finalists and who ranked Denison should follow the below steps to complete their application.

Step 1: If you are a Finalist who ranked Denison, QuestBridge will send us your National College Match application.

Step 2: We will email you instructions to activate and log in to your Denison Applicant Portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit to Denison.

Step 3: You will need to submit the requirements detailed below through your Denison Applicant Portal by November 1.

QuestBridge National College Match Finalists Not Ranking Denison

Students selected as QuestBridge National College Match Finalists, but who did not rank Denison and did not match with another institution, should follow the below steps if they would like to apply to Denison in the Early Decision 2 or Regular Decision rounds using the National College Match application materials that they have already submitted to QuestBridge.

Step 1: Complete Denison’s QuestBridge Application Activation form.

Step 2: Select Denison on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form in your QuestBridge Application Management page between November 3 - December 11.

Step 3: We will email you instructions to activate and log in to your Denison Applicant Portal.

Step 4: Submit all additional required admission and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Denison as detailed in the requirements below. To be considered for Early Decision 2, you must also submit an Early Decision Agreement that you can receive by emailing admission@denison.edu.

QuestBridge National College Match Finalists Not Participating in the Match Process

Students who were selected as a QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, but who chose not to participate in the match process, are able to apply to Denison through the Early Decision 1, Early Decision 2, or Regular Decision rounds using the National College Match application materials that they have already submitted to QuestBridge.

Step 1: Complete Denison’s QuestBridge Application Activation form.

Step 2: Select Denison on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form in your QuestBridge Application Management page between November 3 - December 11.

Step 3: We will email you instructions to activate and log in to your Denison Applicant Portal.

Step 4: Submit all additional required admission and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Denison as detailed in the requirements below. To be considered for Early Decision 1 or Early Decision 2, you must also submit an Early Decision Agreement that you can receive by emailing admission@denison.edu.

QuestBridge National College Match Non-Finalists

Students who applied to QuestBridge, but who were not selected as National College Match Finalists, are able to apply to Denison through the Early Decision 1, Early Decision 2, or Regular Decision rounds using the National College Match application materials that they have already submitted to QuestBridge.

Step 1: Complete Denison’s QuestBridge Application Activation form.

Step 2: Select Denison on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form in your QuestBridge Application Management page between November 3 - December 11.

Step 3: We will email you instructions to activate and log in to your Denison Applicant Portal.

Step 4: Submit all additional required admission and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Denison as detailed in the requirements below. To be considered for Early Decision 1 or Early Decision 2, you must also submit an Early Decision Agreement that you can receive by emailing admission@denison.edu.

QuestBridge Application Requirements:

Denison QuestBridge Supplement: We ask that you complete a short supplement through your Denison applicant portal. The supplement collects basic information that is unique to Denison (e.g., academic interests). There are no additional essays.
Official Transcripts: Transcripts uploaded to the QuestBridge application are accepted as official. Alternatively, your high school counselor can email transcripts directly to the Office of Admission at admission@denison.edu.
ACT/SAT Scores (optional): Denison is test-optional. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they can be submitted directly from a testing agency, through official high school transcripts, or they can be self-reported. Any test scores submitted will be superscored.
FAFSA: Only for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens, including permanent residents. All others should complete the Denison Certification of Finances instead.
- Due to the federal government’s delay in updating the FAFSA and federal financial aid methodology, the FAFSA will not be available until December 2023. In the meantime, applicants will need to complete the CSS Profile. While we do not have a specific date for the FAFSA availability, we will notify QuestBridge applicants when it is available. Any admission offers will be dependent on FAFSA completion once available.
CSS Profile: Please select “Regular Decision” as your admission application type. The CSS Profile is available by early October. Denison’s CSS code is 1164.
- If your parents are divorced or separated:
  - Each parent must complete a CSS Profile application. It is recommended that the student and the parent start the CSS Profile application first. The other parent will need to create a separate College Board account before providing their information.
  - Students who do not have contact with their parent may request a waiver of the requirement by emailing the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@denison.edu.
Federal Tax Returns and Forms: Signed, with all schedules, W-2 forms, and any other earnings statements. All documents must be submitted using the College Board’s free IDOC service.

Frequently Asked Questions: Applying to Denison through QuestBridge

I did not match with a college through QuestBridge National College Match. What financial aid opportunities are available at Denison through the regular application process?

Denison guarantees to meet 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial need. To apply to Denison, just activate your application and we’ll use the materials you’ve already submitted through QuestBridge to complete your regular application.

I am a QuestBridge Finalist who ranked other colleges (not Denison), but I did not match with another college. Can I use my QuestBridge National College Match Application to apply to Denison?

Yes! We know you have put a lot of time and effort into your National College Match Application; no need to do it twice. Simply follow the steps outlined above to have your QuestBridge application sent to us. Then you will activate your Denison Applicant Portal, and submit some additional requirements (don’t worry, no additional essays) to complete your application to Denison.

I applied for the QuestBridge National College Match, but I was not selected as a finalist. Can I use my QuestBridge College Match Application to apply to Denison?

Yes! We know you have put a lot of time and effort into your National College Match Application; no need to do it twice. Simply follow the steps outlined above to have your QuestBridge application sent to us. Then you will activate your Denison Applicant Portal, and submit some additional requirements (don’t worry, no additional essays) to complete your application to Denison.

I am a QuestBridge National College Match applicant who is now applying to Denison through Regular Decision. Do I need to submit a Common Application or Coalition Application in addition to my QuestBridge Application?

QuestBridge Finalists and Non-Finalists do not need to submit a Common Application or Coalition Application. QuestBridge will send your National College Match Application to us, so there is no need to do extra work of submitting additional applications. Please note, we do require a few additional materials (see requirements section above) to consider your application complete.

Is there a fee to apply to Denison through QuestBridge.

There is never a fee to apply for admission to Denison.

Frequently Asked Questions: National College Match Financial Aid Package

If I match as a QuestBridge Scholar, how much do I have to pay for tuition, housing, and food?

As a QuestBridge Scholar at Denison, you do not have to pay for standard direct costs for the duration of your program at Denison. Standard direct costs are considered tuition, housing, and food.

What costs am I responsible for?

You are responsible for any additional costs beyond standard tuition, housing, and food. This includes, but is not limited to flights/transportation, books/supplies, and personal expenses. Those costs can vary by student, but are generally around $2,500 annually.

Additionally, all students attending Denison are required to maintain health insurance. Students with their own health insurance through a family member or exchange may choose to waive Denison’s health insurance plan. All others without sufficient health insurance are required to purchase Denison’s health insurance plan. For the 2023-24 academic year, the cost of this plan is $1,365.

There are other various charges that you could accrue throughout your program that you would be responsible for as well, depending on what optional offerings you choose to pursue.

Do I have to pay taxes?

The U.S. government considers grant or scholarship money that is applied to living costs (housing, food) to be a taxable benefit.

Not finding what you are looking for? Check out our general Financial Aid FAQ.

Contact information for QuestBridge applicants

Exree Hipp

Associate Director of Admission

hippe@denison.edu

740-587-6791

Territories:

Illinois (City of Chicago), Ohio (Columbus)

All offers of admission are conditional based on Denison’s Conditions of Admission policy.

Denison University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admission, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, and activities. No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, religion, creed, or disability.