Merit Scholarships

For Washington residents, awarded based on information provided in your application for admission; no separate scholarship application is required. These highly-competitive merit scholarships for incoming fall quarter first-year resident students are based on a student's academic performance as measured by their high school cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA). Scholarships range from $1,500-$4,000 for one- or two-year awards. You may complete our Net Price Calculator for an estimate of your financial aid and scholarship eligibility.

Based on the information in your application for admission, no separate scholarship application is required.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the WAE is valued at $12,000-$15,000 for each year (for up to four years). The WAE is a highly competitive merit scholarship for incoming first-year students. Awarding of the WAE is based on the unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA), and past recipients have had a minimum 3.00 GPA. Students are notified of their scholarship by mail after the point of admission.

For applicants from outside of Washington state; award is based on information provided in your application for admission; no separate scholarship application is required. Awarded at the $5,000 or $6,000 levels for each year (for up to four years), the WAA is a competitive merit scholarship for incoming fall quarter first-year students. Awarding of the WAA is based on the unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA), and past recipients have had an average 3.35 GPA. Students are notified of their scholarship by mail after the point of admission.

Western Washington University recognizes National Merit Finalists with a guarantee of a minimum scholarship award combination of $10,000 across all university scholarships, distributed over four years of consecutive undergraduate study. To be eligible, National Merit Finalists must email a copy of their National Merit Finalist letter or certificate verifying their finalist status to lori.larkin@wwu.edu.

Scholarships are awarded for incoming Fall Quarter students only.  The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program allows select non-resident students the opportunity to attend a participating university at a reduced tuition rate. Typically, the WUE program reduces non-resident tuition to 150% of the in-state rate for up to four years of study. The WUE will be calculated each year based on the annual in-state tuition rate. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the WUE award at Western is valued at over $15,000, which will significantly reduce tuition costs.

The WUE is our most prestigious non-resident scholarship and is highly competitive. Selection for this scholarship is based on information provided in the application for admission, including unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA); minimum eligibility for the WUE is set at an unweighted GPA of 3.50.

First-year applicants who are residents of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FM), Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Marshall Islands, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Republic of Palau, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming may be considered for the WUE at Western. A select group of our incoming first-year students from participating states are granted this tuition waiver based on their academic performance. Unlike many universities participating in the WUE program, we do not limit or restrict the majors students can pursue while enrolled at Western.

Requires and additional essay within your application for admission. The Multicultural Achievement Program (MAP) Scholarshipis for incoming first-year and transfer students whose applications demonstrate an ongoing commitment to access, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To be considered for the MAP Scholarship, submit an essay within the application for admission. You will be asked to describe your involvement in any activities related to diversity, multiculturalism or support of any historically underrepresented community. You should also explain how you will actively contribute to the diverse campus community at Western. Alternatively, you can email a separate MAP Scholarship to admissions.counselors@wwu.edu.

For this scholarship, we prioritize Washington State residents who have submitted their application for admission by the deadline.

Western Washington University offers a variety of competitive, merit-based scholarships for new and continuing international students, up to $10,000 per year. Availability and amounts for scholarships are subject to change, so please visit the International Students Scholarship page for updated information.

Each community college in Washington state is invited to nominate two students, including Running Start students, to the All-Washington Academic Team based on academic achievement and community service.  Western guarantees a minimum scholarship award of $2,500 across all university scholarships to any member of the All-Washington Team who enrolls at Western.

Phi Theta Kappa members admitted to Western are eligible to be considered for Admissions Achievement Awards, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Selection is based on information provided in the application for admission and includes academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership, and PTK involvement. 

To be considered, students should check the "PTK" box in the New Student Scholarships section of our Transfer Application for Undergraduate Admission and provide an essay that addresses involvement in PTK programs and activities, leadership experience, and any honors attained.

Transfer scholarships are only reviewed for fall term applicants. Transfer students are automatically considered for competitive merit-based, leadership, activity and diversity scholarships based on their application for admission. Additional scholarship opportunities are available for Phi Theta Kappa members.