Scholarships

Search & Apply for WCU Scholarships

WCU Scholarship Tips

Please read the following information if you are inquiring about 24-25 WCU Scholarship Applications:

Most scholarship applications have closed for 24-25. However, the scholarship application(s) listed below are currently open for students to complete to be considered for WCU scholarships. Questions or issues?  Please email finaidsch@wcupa.edu 

Current 2024-25 Scholarship Applications:

Study Abroad Scholarship Application -Spring : Available for any current student who is participating in a study abroad experience in Spring 25.

John F. Hopkins Literary Award Application: Available for English or BSED majors and/or Creative Writing minors who are planning to graduate in Spring 25.

PSECU SSI Scholarship Application: Available for any current students who are existing members of Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union OR current students seeking to become members.

Theatre and Dance Department Scholarship Application: Available for any current students with a major and/or minor in Theatre and/or Dance.

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, Boundless Ram Grant, 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. Students are limited to 8 semesters for these awards.  Students receiving the Golden Ram Award are also required to complete a FAFSA each year. Changes in the FAFSA or financial aid award, that impact eligibility, could also result in the repackaging of the Golden Ram Award as it is a need-based fund.

Council of Trustee Scholarship: This $8,000 award will be provided each year, up to eight (8) semesters, if you maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average, enroll full-time each term, and complete at least 24 credits at the end of each academic year. Additionally, you must also remain in good student conduct status with the University. As this is WCU's most prestigious award, students who have been awarded Academic Excellence or other WCU funds may see an adjustment or replacement of funds with the Council of Trustees Scholarship. 

Students who have changes in their residency and therefore cost of attendance may also see adjustments to award amounts. For assistance with scholarship renewal requirements, please email finaidsch@wcupa.edu. 

 

Military and Veterans Scholarship Information

PASSHE Foundation Scholarship

PASSHE PA STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY:
Applicant must be a confirmed employee or the dependent of an employee at one of the identified Commonwealth of Pennsylvania state agencies.
Applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time at a PASSHE University in good academic standing. Applicant must attend one of the 10 PASSHE universities.


SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students can reapply for the scholarship the following semester if they are not selected. The first priority will go to students who have yet to receive the award.


AMOUNT OF AWARD:
Full-time students are eligible for an award of up to $2,000 per academic year, and part-time students enrolled in less than 12 credits or non-credit bearing classes are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 per academic year. Scholarship funds are issued directly to your university to support tuition, room, and board.

The Spring 25 PASSHE Foundation Scholarship Application is now open! Click here to apply by 1/12/25 at 11:59pm.

 

 

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

September 2024 Deadline

December 2024 Deadline

Additional Scholarship Resources