Scholarships

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WCU Scholarship Tips

2023-2024 WCU Scholarships

While most applications closed May 1st, there are a few applications open through the summer:

Wells School of Music Application

International Graduate Student Application

Institute for Women Graduate Grant Application

Questions or issues?  Please email finaidsch@wcupa.edu 

2023-24 PASSHE Foundation Scholarships are now live! 

Scholarships through the PASSHE Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2023-24 academic year. Applications will remain open until June 30th. Scholarship applicants must complete a PASSHE Foundation General Application.  Scholarships are for all students (Undergraduate and Graduate) and further information can be found here.

Outside Scholarship Opportunites:

Make sure you also check out the Outside Scholarship opportunities for the 2023-24 academic year! Just click on the Outside Scholarships bar below. Scholarships are sorted by application due date.

Image of students speaking - Is it worth it to apply for a scholarship?

First Year Merit Scholarships Q&A

Who do we talk to about being reviewed for a merit scholarship?

The Admissions office reviews for merit awards during the application review process. You will receive notice of your merit award within your acceptance letter; or within an email communication following your acceptance. All merit scholarships are also included in your official Financial Aid Offer starting late January. If you are not selected for a merit award during the Admissions review, know that you can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities via the General Scholarship Application in February of each year.

What are the criteria for qualifying for a merit scholarship?

Students are reviewed based on a combination of their high school performance and test scores if they choose to provide them. If test scores are not provided, high school performance is used to determine eligibility.

When will we know we qualify for a scholarship?

If you were already admitted and selected for a scholarship, you would have received an email communication. Those being admitted moving forward will be notified at the time of your acceptance to WCU; financial aid awards will go out to FAFSA filers starting in late January.

For the General Scholarship application that is available in February at wcupa.edu/scholarship, decisions will be sent by July 1. Most of these awards are one-time funds that range between $500-$2000.

How will we be informed of other institutional aid?

Although merit awards will be included in your acceptance letter other institutional awards will be included in your financial aid offer.

You will receive revised award notices if you are selected for a scholarship after receiving your initial notice.

If we get an acceptance and no scholarship is included should we assume we did not qualify for a merit scholarship?

Although you may not have qualified for a merit award, the financial aid office will review for need-based institutional funds for FAFSA filers and include these awards within your financial aid offer.

You can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities at wcupa.edu/scholarships including outside scholarships and the General Scholarship Application that opens in February.

How can I appeal my financial aid award or scholarship decision?

There will be an appeal form on your applicant portal which will become available in February after the initial financial aid awards are posted. Please wait to receive your full financial aid offer before submitting an appeal.

Transfer Recognition and Achievement Awards Q&A

Who do we talk to about being reviewed for a transfer award?

The Admissions office reviews for transfer awards during the application review process. You will receive notice of your award within your acceptance letter or within an email communication following your acceptance. If you are not selected for an award during the Admissions review, know that you can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities via the General Scholarship Application in February of each year at wcupa.edu/scholarships.

What are the criteria for qualifying for a transfer award?

Students are reviewed based on their college cumulative GPA and the available funding.

When will we know we qualify for an award?

If you were already admitted and selected for an award, you would have received an email communication. Those being admitted moving forward will be notified at the time of your acceptance to WCU or shortly after by email.

How will we be informed?

Although transfer awards will be included in your acceptance letter or emailed to you after acceptance, other institutional awards will be included in your financial aid offer. You will receive revised award notices if you are selected for a scholarship after receiving your initial notice.

If we get an acceptance and no scholarship is included should we assume we did not qualify for a merit scholarship?

Although you may not have qualified for a transfer award, the financial aid office will review for need-based institutional funds for FAFSA filers and include these awards within your financial aid offer. You can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities at wcupa.edu/scholarships including outside scholarships and the General Scholarship Application that opens in February.

How can I appeal my financial aid award or scholarship decision?

There will be an appeal form on your applicant portal which will become available after the initial financial aid awards are posted. Please wait to receive your full financial aid offer before submitting an appeal.

WCU Scholarship Criteria

West Chester University institutional aid including the Golden Ram Award and Academic Excellence Scholarship are based on students continued full-time enrollment and good academic standing. Good academic standing is defined by a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater as well as the completion of 24 credits per academic year. Please also keep in mind that students receiving the Golden Ram Award are also required to complete a FAFSA by February 1st each year as well as the verification process by June 1st, if they are selected. Changes in the FAFSA or financial aid award, that impact eligibility, could also result in the repackaging of the Golden Ram Award as this is a need-based fund.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic WCU has implemented a Temporary Merit Policy for students who are taking an approved leave of absence. Please review the full policy here: Temporary COVID 19 Merit Aid Policy .

Military and Veterans Scholarship Information

PA State System Foundation Scholarship Information

Through various scholarship programs, the PA State System (formerly PASSHE) Foundation supports all 14 PA State System Universities by providing scholarships to their students. To learn more scholarship opportunities that may be available to West Chester University students, please visit the PA State System Foundation Scholarship page.

PASSHE now also offers a new scholarship program for PA Commonwealth employees and their dependents. Learn more here.

Outside Scholarships

Learn more about Reporting Outside Scholarships to WCU .

West Chester University receives and publicizes information from various businesses, foundations, and civic organizations about scholarships they offer to students. A list of outside scholarship opportunities organized by deadline can be found below.

The University is not affiliated with these groups and does not endorse their products or services and therefore disclaims any responsibility or liability for the information provided. The scholarship links are active at the time the information was received. If you find a link not working, please try to search by the name of the scholarship and also alert us at finaidsch@wcupa.edu

Graduate Scholarships

Rolling Deadline

International Students

June 2023 Deadline

July 2023 Deadline

August 2023 Deadline

September 2023 Deadline

October 2023 Deadline

November 2023 Deadline

December 2023 Deadline

Additional Scholarship Resources

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