Scholarships are gift aid. Scholarship awards are usually based on academic achievement, performance, talent, leadership, community service or financial need. Scholarships are an excellent resource for students seeking help with the cost of a college education. In general, there are two types of scholarships: institutional scholarships from the college you are attending and outside scholarships from community or government organizations.

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

To recognize academic achievement, CWU awards tuition scholarships and/or scholarships to freshman and transfers entering CWU in the fall. This gift aid selection is based on a combination of high school GPA and standardized test scores for freshman and the GPA for transfers. These awards are merit based and granted for the first year of instruction at CWU. To be eligible for this merit gift aid, students must be admitted to CWU by February 1. We encourage you to apply for admission through the CWU website. The online admission application will expedite the admissions process and enable you to be considered for these merit based scholarships and/or scholarships that are only available to early applicants.

The CWU Scholarships website includes a link to the Scholarship Central application and links to departmental scholarship information for active students to apply for CWU Foundation scholarships. 

Some CWU Foundation Scholarships are based on Financial Need and to be considered for these you must complete the FAFSA by the scholarship due date.

OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS

Autumn is considered scholarship “hunting season” for the next academic year. We encourage you to contact service organizations from your community and view the CWU Scholarship Web Site for updated information on scholarship resources. From the Scholarship website you can access links to search engines. Please be aware that legitimate scholarship opportunities DO NOT REQUIRE an application fee. The Financial Aid Office staff updates the listing of scholarships year round and we are available to answer your scholarship application questions by phone, e-mail or in-person during business hours Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm in Bouillon 106.

TIP: ORGANIZE YOUR RESOURCES

You should direct the donor organizations of your outside scholarships to send their scholarship checks directly to the Financial Aid Office payable to “CWU F.B.O. (For the benefit of) Your Name.” Please direct the donor to include your student identification number on the check.

Most scholarships will be disbursed evenly across three academic quarters, unless the donor specifies otherwise. An outside scholarship may result in an adjustment to other aid. Our policy is to reduce the least desirable aid first whenever possible (i.e. PLUS, unsubsidized student loan, etc.). Please be aware that there are very strict federal rules regarding gift aid and financial aid Need. We will comply with all required regulations when processing your aid. Your other aid will be adjusted if necessary when we receive notice of a scholarship award. Please note that you are required to notify the Financial Aid Office of all outside resources, even if scholarship funds are paid directly to you.

Some donors may not send the funds in time for financial aid refund day. It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough funds to cover your financial obligation to CWU on the date your fees are due. Speak with a financial aid counselor if you need help. Enrollment in the CWU Payment Plan is available at the beginning of each term, and short term loans may also be available.

Students seeking verification of enrollment may submit a request via the Registrar's online verification of enrollment page. Paper enrollment verification forms can be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for completion.