Scholarship FAQs

The WWU Scholarship Portal is a new system that streamlines the scholarship application process. Students complete one application, and the system matches them with all scholarships they are eligible for. 

All current students—undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students—can apply for scholarships through the portal. 

We anticipate that the 2026-2027 scholarship application will open around March 2026. 

Universities across the country have been centralizing their scholarship awarding processes for over a decade, as it is considered a best practice. By using a centralized system, WWU can review all sources of student aid, reduce the chances of scholarships going unawarded, and promote equity and efficiency in the selection process.  

The portal makes awarding scholarships more efficient, ensures fairness, and helps students find and access financial aid more easily. The goal is to provide more students with the support they need to succeed at WWU. 

Western Washington University has moved to a more centralized system. The WWU Scholarship Portal offers hundreds of scholarships accessible from one application. This application is typically available from March to May for the following academic year. 

The new portal makes it easier for students to apply for all available scholarships with a single application while ensuring funds are awarded efficiently. This change makes scholarship awards more consistent, fair, and timely.

No! The system automatically matches you with multiple scholarships using a single application. Some scholarships may require additional information, which will be requested within the portal.

1. Log in to the WWU Scholarship Portal (single sign-on for WWU IDs).
2. Complete questions and essays. The more you answer, the more opportunities you will be considered for.
3. Submit your application before the deadline.
4. The system will match you with scholarships based on your qualifications and your answers to essay questions.
5. Some scholarships may require next steps — be sure to check your My Awards dashboard.

Contact the Scholarship Center’s support team.

Scholarships are available for academic achievement, financial need, leadership, specific fields of study, and more. The portal will match you to those you qualify for.

When you applied to Western, your application for admission also served as an application for admissions scholarships. As you continue at Western, you will become eligible for more scholarship opportunities. Be sure to visit the portal each spring to apply for new scholarship opportunities. 

Any current student can submit a WWU application. Please note that the longer students are at Western, they will become more eligible for scholarship opportunities. Scholarships can have requirements such as confirmed major/minor, minimum number of credits, and relative experience gained through time at WWU.  

The WWU Scholarship Application is tailored to each student. Based on student data, as well as the information provided while the application is being completed, the WWU Scholarship Application may vary in length. Students can complete as much or a little of the application as they wish. A completed WWU Scholarship Application will give students the highest opportunity to receive scholarships.

The WWU Scholarship Application will ask for: essays, resume, letters of recommendation. You may also be asked for examples of coursework, additional short essays, work experience, and more.

Once students get to the letter of recommendation page in the application, they can simply add the contact information (name and email address) of their recommender. The recommender will receive an email invitation with instructions on how to submit a letter on the student’s behalf. Once completed, the student will receive notification that the recommendation has been submitted.

No, students will not be able to view the letters that were submitted on their behalf through the Portal. They will be able to view that a letter of recommendation has been submitted.

Typically, scholarship awarding will be completed in late spring/early summer for the upcoming academic year. Students awarded scholarships will receive notification via their WWU email address. They may also login to the Portal and review their My Awards page to view any awarded scholarships. The My Awards tab also lists required tasks such as acceptance and donor Thank You letter.

Yes. While the awarding process will be managed centrally, departments and colleges are encouraged to continue cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, as well as supporting students in applying for scholarships that align with their academic and professional goals.

All endowment and gift agreements have been reviewed by scholarship administrators and the Assistant Attorney General’s office to ensure donor intent is honored. In many cases, these agreements already allow for flexibility in the selection process while maintaining the original purpose of the scholarship.

Scholarships will still be awarded to students in the designated fields of study as outlined in donor agreements. The key change is that the Scholarship Center office will oversee the selection process, ensuring consistency and adherence to best practices.

No. Departments are encouraged to continue fostering relationships with donors and external partners, such as internship providers. The change only affects the selection process for scholarship recipients.

Encourage students to complete WWU scholarship application early. You can also direct them to support resources like tutorials and drop-in help sessions.

Departments should update any scholarship-related content on their websites, emails, and advising materials to reflect the new WWU Scholarship Portal as the primary application system.

This change is being made for a number of reasons, including recruitment and retention and making the awards process more transparent and equitable for all students. With this new software, all students can more easily be considered for all awards for which they may be eligible.

No. Donors receive annual thank you letters from students, and they are also invited to Celebration of Scholarships events where they have an opportunity to meet their scholarship recipients. These stewardship activities will continue.