Merit-Based Scholarships
Learn About Merit-Based Scholarships
A merit scholarship is financial aid awarded to students based on their academic achievement.
Merit Scholarships are offered to WA high school graduates who are first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students and transfers at CWU. Unlike need-based aid, which is determined by a family’s financial situation, merit scholarships are typically awarded for what you have accomplished.
2026-27 and 2027-28 Academic Year Automatic Scholarships
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Crimson Scholarship
$2,000 per year for two consecutive years ($4,000 total)
Eligibility requirements
- First time as a college student (not including Running Start or College in the High School)
- Starting quarter: Fall 2026 or Fall 2027
- 3.0 HS Cumulative GPA, 2.75 CWU cumulative GPA to renew
- Enrolled in minimum of 12 credits per quarter
- Live in CWU Residence hall both years
- Confirm admissions by May 1, 2026 for Fall 2026, or May 1, 2027 for Fall 2027
- Housing contract on file for residence hall by July 1 each year to confirm or renew the award
The Crimson Scholarship can apply to standard CWU tuition only. If tuition is paid by other sources, or there are non-standard charges (examples: FlexIT program, education abroad) they may be reduced or canceled. The Crimson Scholarship requires students to have residence hall charges are their account.
-
Transfer Excellence Scholarship
$2,000 per year, up to three years ($6,000 total)
Eligibility requirements:
- Transfer Student
- Starting at CWU during the 2026-27 or 2027-28 academic year
- 3.0 Transfer Cumulative GPA, 2.75 CWU cumulative GPA to renew
- Enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per quarter
- Ellensburg campus only
The Transfer scholarship can apply to standard CWU tuition only. If tuition is paid by other sources, or there are non-standard charges (examples: FlexIT program, education abroad) they may be reduced or canceled.
Students who start Winter or Spring will receive a prorated (reduced) quarterly amount. The scholarship is not available during summer. -
Wildcat Promise Scholarship
$5,000 per year, up to four years ($20,000 total)
Eligibility requirements:
- First time in college student
- "Full Need" as determined by the FAFSA or WASFA (SAI is between -1500-0).
- WA resident of
- Counties
- Adams
- Asotin
- Benton
- Chelan
- Columbia
- Douglas
- Ferry
- Franklin
- Garfield
- Grant
- Lincoln
- Okanogan
- Pend Oreille
- Spokane
- Stevens
- Walla Walla
- Whitman
- Cities
- Grandview
- Granger
- Mabton
- Sunnyside
- Toppenish
- White Swan
- Zillah
- Counties
- Starting quarter: Fall 2026
- 3.0 HS Cumulative GPA, 2.75 CWU GPA to renew
- Enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per quarter
- Live in residence hall for the first two years, on-campus housing for remaining two years
- Confirm admissions by May 1, 2026
- Housing contract on file for residence hall (first two years) or CWU Apartment (last two years) by July to confirm or renew the award
Disclaimer: These terms and conditions apply to awards initially offered to students for the listed academic years. Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria, including residency classification, campus, location and/or modality. Eligibility varies per scholarship and all scholarships are subject to the availability of funds.
Automatic scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying admitted students.
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