Scholarships

How to Apply for Scholarships

In general, there are two types of scholarships: institutional scholarships from the college you are attending and outside scholarships from community or government organizations. Learn about how to start your scholarship application.

Scholarship Central

Looking for opportunities to fund your CWU degree? Scholarship Central is your gateway to hundreds of scholarships just for Central students. With one application, you can apply for more than 300 scholarships that reduce the cost of your education.

The 2026-27 general application has closed. Continuing students and fall 2027 applicants will have access to the 2027-28 application when it opens in October 2026.

Applicants can monitor their progress by checking the application dashboard:

MyCWU > Student Dashboard > Financial > Scholarship Application

Students selected receive a 2026-27 scholarship will be sent an official email award notification and their aid offer will be updated in MyCWU. They will be instructed to log back in to Scholarship Central to upload a photo and a thank you letter for the donor. 

Scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa Members

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has supported students dedicated to their education who pursue academic degrees and other scholastic credentials. PTK members have an opportunity to earn scholarships, enhance their leadership skills, and give back to society.

Central Washington University recognizes the academic commitment of PTK students and praises them for choosing CWU to further their education.

PTK students admitted to Central Washington University for Fall 2026 are eligible to be considered for a one-time award of up to $1,000.

We invite current PTK students transferring to CWU with their Direct Transfer Associates (DTA) degree from one of the Washington State community colleges to apply. Running Start / College in the High School students are not eligible for this award.

Interested in applying? Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are closed and will open up for the 2027-2028 academic year in October, 2026.

Institutional Scholarships

At CWU, we recognize the academic achievements of incoming first-year and transfer students with merit-based scholarships awarded for the fall term. For first-year students, these awards are based on high school GPA and standardized test scores, while we evaluate transfer students by their transfer GPA. 

To be eligible for this merit-based aid, first-year students must submit an online application to CWU and confirm their admission to CWU by April 1. Transfer students must confirm admission no later than August 1.

Applying online accelerates the process and ensures consideration for merit-based tuition waivers and scholarships available to early applicants. Active students seeking need-based CWU Foundation scholarships can find application links and departmental scholarship information on the CWU Scholarships website, requiring the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) completion by the specified deadline.

Some CWU Foundation scholarships are need-based, so students must complete the FAFSA or WASFA before the scholarship due date for consideration.

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships are provided by organizations or associations that are not affiliated with the institution you’re attending. You can find outside scholarships by:

• Contacting service organizations from your community
• Connecting with professional associations within your field of study
• Utilizing reputable scholarship search engines.

Please note: Legitimate scholarship opportunities do not require an application fee. If a scholarship requires an application fee, it is most likely a scam.

Once you win an outside scholarship, you should direct the donor organizations of your outside scholarships to send their scholarship checks directly to the Cashiers Office:

• Mailing Address:400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7490
• Cashiers Phone: (509) 963-2224
• Fax: (509) 963-2257

Unless the donor specifies otherwise, most scholarships will be disbursed evenly across three academic quarters. 

Receiving an outside scholarship may result in an adjustment to your other aid. CWU’s policy is first to reduce the least desirable aid whenever possible, such as PLUS or unsubsidized student loans. There are strict federal rules regarding gift and financial aid needs; CWU will comply with all required regulations when processing your aid. 

When you receive notice of a scholarship award, you must inform CWU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, even if scholarship funds are paid directly to you. Sometimes, scholarship donors may not send the funds in time for the financial aid refund day. You are responsible for ensuring you have enough funds to cover your financial obligations to CWU when their fees are due. Enrollment in the CWU Payment Plan is available at the beginning of each term, and short-term loans may also be available.                

If you need additional information, please contact Central’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. 

Third-Party Aid

CWU students can also receive financial assistance from third-party sources, such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), AmeriCorps, Army Tuition Assistance, and employer tuition-assistance plans. 

Students receiving third-party aid must notify the Financial Aid Office. Awards will be adjusted to reflect these resources.

Scholarship Enrollment Verification

If you have applied to an outside scholarship program and need to verify your enrollment at CWU, complete the Verification of Enrollment/Degree Request Form from the Office of the Registrar.

After completing this form, you can submit it to the Registrar for review using one of the following methods:

• Scan or take a clear, legible picture and email it to Transcript@cwu.edu. 
• Fax the form to 509-963-1230. To verify receipt of your fax, call Records at 509-963-3030.
• Mail it to: 
  • CWU Records Department
  • 400 E University Way 
  • Ellensburg, WA, 98926-7465 

Please include your full name and CWU student ID number in all communications.

Contact CWU Records at 509-963-3030 or Transcript@cwu.edu for additional information.

Learn more about how to verify your degree or enrollment.