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Welcome
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WSU Scholarships
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Private Scholarships
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FAQs
Welcome to Scholarships at WSU
At Washington State University, we make every effort to recognize hard-working students, while making an investment in their potential and assisting them in funding their educational goals. Scholarships are an outstanding way to assist students in paying for a college education, because these monies are given without having to be repaid.
At WSU, scholarships are awarded using a variety of factors such as academic achievement, community involvement, employment experiences, areas of study, financial need and several others. While it's true the majority of scholarships are made in the spring for the upcoming academic year, scholarships are awarded year round for the fall and spring terms.
WSU offers incoming freshmen and transfer students as well as continuing students several opportunities to pursue scholarships. In looking at our website, you'll find there are many different scholarships to consider. We recommend you carefully review the information to help you understand the scholarship process and the services available to guide you.
More importantly, remember to submit the WSU Academic Scholarship Application every year to be eligible for institutional and departmental awards. The application is available mid-fall and the deadline is January 31st. We are committed to our students at WSU and strive to help them find workable and realistic ways to pay for their college educations.
We look forward to serving you in the years to come!
The WSU Scholarships Staff
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Mission Statement and Code of Conduct
- How Do I Apply?
- University Scholarship Opportunities
- Regents Scholars Program
- National Merit Scholarships
- All - Washington Academic Team
- Graduate School Scholarship Opportunities
- Athletic Scholarships
- Urban Campus Scholarships
- Education Abroad Scholarships
- International Programs Scholarships
Over 700 different scholarship programs are awarded through the Washington State University Academic Scholarship Application. The deadline for this application is January 31st each year. You must submit this application every year to be considered for university awards. The deadline to submit the 2012-2013 WSU Academic Scholarship application has now passed.
We recommend completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as the WSU Academic Scholarship Application. The FAFSA helps us determine your eligibility for any financial need based scholarships. For more information, click here. The priority FAFSA filing date is February 15th.
Scholarships can be awarded to all degree-seeking, undergraduate, graduate, international and professional program students. Along with the Admission application, the following scholarships require that you submit the Academic Scholarship Application AND may require a supplemental application or have additional deadlines. Carefully check the specific requirements for each program.
The University honors your strong academic record with an award that's renewable for a second year. Awards generally range from $2,000 to $4,000 and are granted to incoming freshmen students who:
- have the right combination of high school grades and standardized test scores
- have the right combination of high school grades and standardized test scores. (Use this calculator to determine if you qualify.)
- are residents of the state of Washington *
*This award cannot be combined with the Regents Scholar Award or the National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship.
Note: GED students are not eligible for this award. Homeschooled students can be considered. Please call the H.S. Coordinator in Admissions at 335-5153 for details.
This award is offered to top incoming freshmen from throughout the United States at either of two levels: $4,000 or $9,000 per academic year. The $9,000 level serves as WSU’s Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship. Because at WSU they are one and the same, students will not receive both a CAA and a WUE award. At both levels, this award may be renewed for up to three years. To qualify, you must:
- have the right mix of high schools grades and standardized test scores. (Use this calculator to determine if you qualify.)
- be a resident in the United States, outside the state of Washington.
- have a complete admission application by the January 31st priority application date, and enroll as a freshman at the Pullman campus.*
*Students admitted into the Pharmacy. and Veterinary Medicine professional programs, and transfer students, are not eligible for this award or for renewal.
*This award cannot be combined with the National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship.
Note: GED students are not eligible for this award. Homeschooled students can be considered. Please call the H.S. Coordinator in Admissions at 335-5153 for details.
This scholarship and campus visitation program invites admitted Washington freshmen and transfer students to spend two exciting days on WSU’s Pullman campus. Applicants must attend both Future Cougars of Color event days to be eligible for these four-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Interviews with WSU faculty help determine the higher level award winners. For more information and to register for this event, please visit the Future Cougars of Color site.
These scholarships are available to undergraduate, graduate, international and professional program students, and are made possible through the outstanding generosity of donors who believe in the extraordinary possibility of WSU students. Awards are based on varying combinations of academic performance, extracurricular involvement, financial need, and academic interest area. Award amounts vary, and many are worth thousands of dollars. You are automatically considered for all these awards by completing the Academic Scholarship Application.
This award is offered to incoming freshmen students with outstanding academic
records. Awards are currently valued at $4,000 and are renewable for up to
four years. Students must have a completed admission application and Academic
Scholarship Application by January 31 to qualify. All campuses qualify.
The Academic Achievement/Diversity Scholarship is a highly competitive award based on your academic strength, demonstrated leadership skills, commitment to volunteer work and community service, and a high level of financial need. These $2000 and $4000 awards are renewable for up to four years. In addition to submitting completed admission application materials and the Academic Scholarship Application by January 31st, qualified applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 15th priority deadline. All campuses qualify.
This program recognizes incoming freshmen with outstanding high school grades and transfer students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 who are enrolling on the Pullman campus. Students must have graduated from one of the targeted high schools serving low-income populations. Scholarships are currently awarded at $5,000 and $3,000 levels, and are renewable for up to four years.
Non US Citizens who have resided in the state of Washington for at least three years, and earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, may be eligible to complete the “ Non-US Citizens Affidavit of Residency.”
This award is offered to entering transfer students that have already earned their Associates degree, and are attending the Pullman campus. The award is valued at $2,500 and is renewable for a second year.
Students:- must be residents of Washington,
- have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and
- demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
Qualified applicants must submit the Academic Scholarship Application by January 31st, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 15th priority deadline.
In addition to the awards based on the WSU Academic Scholarship Application and the FAFSA data, most colleges and departments at WSU have scholarships. While many use the WSU Academic Scholarship Application to select their recipients, we recommend contacting your academic area of interest to inquire about their specific process, which may include additional applications or deadlines. You do not necessarily have to be certified into a specific major to receive a scholarship from the college or department.
For assistance in locating your academic area of interest, please view this list of fields of study.
The Washington State University Alumni Association offers scholarships that recognize the strong leadership characteristics and solid academic performances of incoming freshmen. These scholarships may require a supplemental application, as well as submission of the Academic Scholarship Application. For more information on this opportunity, please visit the Alumni Association scholarships site.
As an ROTC Scholarship recipient you receive:
-Full Tuition or Room/Board (dependent on degree sought by student)
-$1200 a year for books
-Monthly Stipend, depending on level in the Army ROTC curriculum:
1st year: $300; 2nd year: $350; 3rd year: $450; 4th year: $500
-All Mandatory Lab Fees paid for at WSU
Contact the Military Science Department at WSU at 509-335-2591 for additional information.
Air Force ROTC
For information on Air Force ROTC opportunities, please contact their office at 509-335-5598.
Navy ROTC
Students participating in NROTC can receive scholarships covering
tuition and fees, money for books, and $250 per month stipend that will increase $50/year up to
$400 per month for your senior year.
Contact the UI/WSU Navy ROTC office at 1-888-884-3246 ext. 6333, for more information.
Washington National Guard Scholarship
Members of the Washington National Guard may be eligible for a tuition waiver for as much as
$500 per year. Contact the Military Science Department at WSU at 509-335-2591 for additional
information.
This scholarship is available to students that are dependents (children or stepchildren)
of a Washington State University employee. Students must complete the Academic
Scholarship Application and answer the question regarding a parent’s employment
status at WSU. Eligible students will receive $1000/year, for up to two years.
Dependents of the following employees of WSU are eligible:
- Classified staff holding half time or greater appointments and having permanent status;
- Classified staff on trial service appointments and meeting the approved criteria;
- Faculty and administrative professional employees holding half time or greater appointments;
- WSU Extension county paid employees with a public affiliate status having permanent status and working half-time or more and ROTC faculty and staff employed at WSU locations who meet the WSU employee eligibility requirements.
Awards are available for undergraduate students that have not exceeded age 25. Students new to WSU (freshmen or transfer) will receive the award if they have a qualifying parent, meet the eligibility requirements and have been admitted to the university. Students that have completed one or more terms at WSU must also have a 2.75 minimum GPA to qualify. Please contact Scholarship Services for other program specific requirements.
First Scholars is a comprehensive program, funded by the Suder Foundation, that supports first generation college students and assists them in completing their college degrees which includes a $5,000.00 a year scholarship renewable for up to 4 years for a total award of $20,000.
To be eligible* for the program, students must:
- Be a first generation college student, which means the student's parents have no education beyond high school.
- Be an incoming first-time, full-time freshman.
- Apply and be admitted to Washington State University – Pullman campus.
- Complete the WSU Scholarship Application by January 31, 2012.
- Have mid-range admissions scores.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and be eligible for in-state tuition.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15, 2012.
- Complete the Student Strengths Inventory, a non-academic assessment of your potential for success.
- Be willing to fully participate in the First Scholars Program and activities.
- Complete the First Scholars Application online by midnight February 10, 2012.
*This is only a partial list. For full details, and to apply, please visit the First Scholars Website.
The Plateau Native American Scholarship is awarded by Washington State University to students that meet the following criteria. For more information regarding the application process, please contact the Tribal Liaison, Barbara Aston, at (509) 335-8618 or aston@wsu.edu.
Eligibility:
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1. Students must be enrolled members of one of the following tribes:
- Coeur d’Alene Tribe
- Colville Confederated Tribes
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Kalispel Tribe
- Klamath Tribe
- Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
- Nez Perce Tribe
- Spokane Tribe of Indians
- Yakama Indian Nation;
OR show proof of ancestry from a tribe or tribes known as Plateau Salishan, Sahaptian, or Kootenai.
Enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs who are of Sahaptian descent are also eligible to apply with documentation verifying their Sahaptian ancestry.
High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75, while transfer and current WSU student applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Graduate student applicants must have been accepted to graduate school.
Preference will be given to students pursuing undergraduate degrees and to students pursuing a field of study within the College of Liberal Arts. Financial need, academic performance, and essay statement will determine selection.
The Washington State University Regents Scholars is a premier scholarship program for freshmen Washington students. To be eligible for this award, a student must be nominated by a high school educator or a Native American tribal leader. All qualified nominees who complete the admissions and scholarship process will receive a $4,000 scholarship for four years. The top 10 students will receive full tuition and mandatory fees paid for four years. For more information about this WSU scholarship, please visit our Regents Scholars Program site.
If you have been identified by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a semifinalist, you may eligible to receive full tuition for up to four years of undergraduate studies at Washington State University.
- For Washington residents, this award is valued at more than $39,000 total (based on current in-state tuition rates for 2011-2012.)*
For students outside the state of Washington, the award value is approximately $80,000 total (based on current non-resident tuition rates for 2011-2012).*
- Be identified as a semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Contact Scholarship Services
to notify us of your semifinalist status.*
- have a complete admission application by the January 31 priority application date, and enroll as a freshman at the Pullman campus.
- Enroll at WSU in the fall semester following your high school graduation.
*This scholarship could be the first of many scholarships that you benefit from. However, the National Merit Scholarship cannot be combined with a Regents Scholar award, the University Achievement Award, or the Cougar Academic Award at WSU.
Please note:
- Tuition awards valid for up to 18 credit hours per semester
- Recipients of a National Merit Corporate Sponsored award will receive the amount provided by that award.
To confirm that you qualify or to ask questions about this program, please contact Patty Winder at 509-335-1059 or by email.
Each year, Washington State University will award scholarships to ten All-Washington Academic Team
members who transfer to any of the university’s campuses. The $1,000 scholarships are
non-renewable. If more than ten team members enroll in WSU, the university will determine who
receives the scholarships.
WSU encourages interested team members to notify Scholarship Services as soon as possible by
contacting scholarships@wsu.edu or (509) 335-1059.
The Graduate School has the following scholarship opportunities available:
- Karen Depauw Leadership Award:
These scholarships are offered to women in graduate studies
who demonstrate evidence of leadership skills, and/or direct university involvement at Washington State University. - Julia & Arnold Greenwell Memorial Scholarship:
This is a need-based scholarship designed to
help graduate students who have clearly demonstrated excellence to further their studies at WSU. - Graduate School Doctoral Scholarship: This scholarship is to reward outstanding research and scholarship among graduate students admitted into a WSU PhD program.
Please visit the following site for more information: www.gradschool.wsu.edu/CurrentStudents/Funding/GraduateScholarships.aspx.
The Washington State University Online Program, along with the Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses, offer scholarship opportunities, also. Urban Campus students can complete the Academic Scholarship Application, in addition to any supplemental applications that each campus may have. Please visit the following links for more information on their applications and procedures:
The WSU Education Abroad Office offers scholarship assistance to students wishing to
study abroad. The WSU Education Abroad scholarships do require a separate scholarship
application. In addition, their website provides links to assist students in seeking specific
study abroad funding through external organizations.
For more information, please visit the
Education Abroad site
The Office of International Programs offers scholarship assistance to both incoming and current international students. For more information on their application process, please visit the International Programs scholarship site.
Private donors are an important factor in helping students obtain scholarships to fund their education,
and may be obtained through a variety of sources. We strongly encourage all students to research and
apply for these scholarships. Private scholarships generally have rotating deadlines and are available
throughout the year. We recommend that you visit our Private Donor Listing, as well as the following
free scholarship searches, on a regular basis as they will change due to ongoing deadlines.
The following sites are meant to provide you with a starting place in your search for private scholarships.
- WSU's Private Donor Listing
- State Scholarships
- College Success Foundation
- Gates Millenium Scholars
- Scholarship Information Websites & Searches
- Additional Scholarship Search Information
Many scholarship providers send us information to pass along to our students.
This list tends to be focused on scholarship providers who are from our region, or who
are interested specifically in providing funds to WSU students. The list is updated
every few weeks as new information become available.
To view the most updated Private Donor List, click
here!
The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) administers state scholarship programs such as the College Bound Scholarship, Washington Scholars, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) and the Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs. For additional information on these and other state programs, and how to apply, please visit the HECB site at http://www.hecb.wa.gov.
If you are already a recipient of the:- College Bound Scholarship - additional information may be found here.
- Washington Scholars - contact Alan Shipman to coordinate receipt of your award.
- Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) - contact Alan Shipman to coordinate receipt of your award.
- Future Teacher Conditional Scholarship - contact Heather Morgan to coordinate receipt of your award.
The College Success Foundation assists underserved, low-income students with financial support, tools and additional resources through scholarship programs, such as Governor's Scholarship and Leadership 1000. Visit their site, at www.collegesuccessfoundation.org, for more information.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship Program selects 1000 outstanding minority students, across the nation each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship. Awards are granted to African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with high academic and leadership promise who have significant financial need. For additional information, please visit www.gmsp.org. If you are a current GMS student that needs assistance, please contact Lisa Ormond at (509) 335-8136
Here is a list of web sites that we have found useful. Lending institutions sponsor some of these sites, so you may receive promotional mailings about educational loan opportunities after you conduct your scholarship search. You can find many more similar sites by doing an internet search on the term " free scholarship search".
You can also search the internet directly for scholarships. Using your favorite search engine (such as Google), enter specific search terms. Think about your field of study and who you are. For example: "foundation scholarship music performance" or "scholarship single parent academic."
The Washington Scholarship Coalition, comprised of public and private organizations, announces the launch of theWashBoard.org, making it easier for Washington students to efficiently find and apply for relevant scholarships. Free of cost for both students and providers, theWashBoard.org acts as a clearinghouse with verified scholarship information and matches those seeking scholarship support with those looking to provide it.
www.collegeanswer.com
This site is sponsored by Sallie Mae and provides a comprehensive source of financial aid resources for college
including a free scholarship search.
www.collegeboard.com
Along with many other types of college related information (this is the company that administers the SAT) there
is a free scholarship search available.
www.collegenet.com/mach25
The Mach25 database features a large, easy to use database.
www.collegeplan.org
College Planning Network is a Washington State-based organization serving the Pacific Northwest.
The “Guide Online” is their free scholarship search.
www.finaid.org/scholarships
This site features general scholarship information, as well as the FastWeb Scholarship Search.
www.studentscholarshipsearch.com
This site features scholarship listings and the free e-book, “Scholarship Search Secrets”
www.supercollege.com
SuperCollege is a publisher of college planning books. Their site offers a number of services
including a free scholarship search.
- Never pay for a scholarship search! No matter what some sites may say, all of the information they have is available for free. Organizations that would charge a fee for this information - or charge a fee to apply for a scholarship - are very likely scams and should be avoided. All of the sites we have listed under “Scholarship Information Websites” are free.
- Take a look at several of these sites to see which ones might work best for you. They don't necessarily all have the same information. And some of them may be specialized for particular types of students.
- For the best results, treat your search for scholarship funding like a small part-time job. A good strategy is to have a scheduled weekly time to check in with your favorite scholarship web sites and to work on scholarship applications. Keep this up year-round for as long as you're a student. You'll find the right scholarships to apply for and never miss a deadline.
General
This page is your best resource for information on different avenues for applying for scholarships, including the completion of the Academic Scholarship Application.
No. If you are an incoming freshman or transfer student, you can complete your scholarship application at the same time that you complete your admission application. In fact, it is strongly recommended that you do so!
Scholarship awarding begins in the fall, once the Academic Scholarship Application becomes available. After the January 31st deadline, much of the awarding process will happen between February and August. However, we will continue to award scholarships throughout the academic year. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be notified by post mail.
While many use the WSU Academic Scholarship Application to select their recipients, we recommend contacting your academic area of interest to inquire about their specific process, which may include additional applications or deadlines. You do not necessarily have to be certified into a specific major to receive a scholarship from the college or department. For assistance in locating your academic area of interest, please view this list of fields of study.
Yes! You need to complete the Academic Scholarship Application every year that you attend WSU. You may or may not have to re-apply each for specific scholarships that you’ve been awarded. Please contact our office for specific information on your scholarships. You can email us at scholarships@wsu.edu.
Although it is not required for you to complete the FAFSA to qualify for scholarships, you may not be considered for certain need-based scholarships covered by the Academic Scholarship Application without completing the FAFSA, also.
Yes. The Cougar Academic Award is offered to incoming freshmen from outside the state of Washington. This award is offered at a $4,000 and $9,000 levels. The $9,000 level serves as WSU’s Western Undergraduate Exchange scholarship. For specific information on program requirements, please visit this page.
If you receive a scholarship award, an adjustment in need-based aid will be required only if the amount of your scholarship exceeds your Cost-of-Attendance or your calculated need. Self-help (such as loans and Federal Work-Study) will always be reduced first, before any adjustment to the grant portion of your award is made.
Most scholarships can be used while you are studying abroad, but you need to contact Scholarship Services for specific information before you go abroad. Please call (509-335-1059) or stop by our office (380 Lighty Student Services) for more information.
Your original award letter will let you know what requirements you need to meet. Unless you are notified directly from Scholarship Services, you must meet all the criteria as it is outlined in your award letter. If you do not have a copy of your original award letter, please contact our office for specifics.
Private/Outside Donor
You can directly download an Enrollment Verification Form from the Office of the Registrar’s website.
Checks can be made out to Washington State University, and mailed to University Receivables, PO Box 641039, Pullman, WA 99164-1039.
This Scholarship Designation Form should be sent by donors with your scholarship check, to the WSU University Receivables Office. It includes specific information that will assist us in releasing funds in a timely manner.
Regents
Your Regents Scholarship will disburse as normal minus the room portion of your scholarship.
Depending on your resident hall selection and/or your meal plan level this stipend may have been used to cover overages you selected above the base rate the scholarship pays for.
Your Regents Scholarship may be used while studying abroad. You will receive the amount of the scholarship minus the room portion. The scholarship will disburse on the first day of class or 10 days prior to your program start date.
National Merit Scholarship
Yes, the National Merit Scholarship is renewable for three additional years (renewal criteria = 3.2 and completion of 24 graded credits per year). Award amount will be equivalent to the undergraduate tuition rate (up to 18 credits).
Please visit Honors College Vet Med Program site for more information on pre-admission to the Veterinary Medicine Program at http://honors.wsu.edu/academics/vetmedprogram/.
No, the NM Scholarship covers tuition up to 18 credits. Any tuition charges for over 18 credits are the responsibility of the student.
No, the NM Scholarship covers tuition only (up to 18 credits).
The NM Scholarship can only be applied if the student is participating in a program where they will be paying tuition directly to WSU. In that case, the NM Scholarship is for the cost of WSU tuition (up to 18 credits).
No, the National Merit Scholarship cannot be awarded in combination with UAA and/or Regents Scholars award.
No, the National Merit Scholarship cannot be awarded in combination with the Cougar Academic Award.
Announcements
WSU Scholarships is located in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in Lighty Student Services, Room 380 on the Pullman campus. We’re happy to answer your questions and provide assistance.
On the Pullman campus, our Scholarship Window is open to students and parents from 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. We look forward to helping you.
Our contact information
Phone: 509-335-1059
Fax: 509-335-6831
Email: scholarships@wsu.edu
The WSU Scholarship Staff
Joy Scourey
Assistant Director, Scholarship Services & Athletic Aid Compliance
Heather Morgan
Athletic Financial Aid and Scholarships Coordinator
Alan Shipman
Program Coordinator
Lisa Ormond
Scholarship and Financial Aid Counselor
Jennie McGregor
Office Assistant
Jamie Comstock
Program Assistant
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