Western and Affiliated Aid Programs

Western and Affiliated scholarships are available on a competitive basis to students who qualify.  Students may apply online beginning in October of each year with a March 1st priority deadline.  Applications will be distributed to all members of the Western scholarship selection committees for review. As a general rule, committees will meet on or before March 31st, and will notify recipients of their decisions in April.

Guidelines for Western Scholarships

1. Scholarship recipients must complete application to Western and be accepted as degree-seeking students.

2. Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description, institutional scholarships are awarded only to students who are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester at Western (excluding CED courses).  Students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year to be considered for renewal.

3. Renewable scholarships are valid for eight semesters (unless otherwise stated) provided all requirements are met each year.  The eight semesters must be completed within six years of the student’s first, full-time semester at Western, (excluding summer semesters).

4. The University determines the number of scholarships awarded each year by scholarship categories. All awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.

5. Applications for non-renewable scholarships must be made annually to the University.

6. Eligibility for renewal scholarships will be reviewed in May upon completion of the academic year.

7. Full-time students who lose eligibility for renewable scholarships may regain eligibility once the student reestablishes the required GPA for the scholarship. (Students will be limited to one reinstatement.) Eligible students must submit a letter of reinstatement to the Financial Aid Office. (Effective 2008-09)

8. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of scholarships to be awarded, those applicants who applied the earliest and were accepted for admission will be awarded until funding is exhausted.

9. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive institutional scholarships.

10. Western scholarship dollars earned in excess of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) are intended to assist students with the cost of on-campus housing. Students living off-campus will be limited to a total of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) in scholarship dollars from Western. Some scholarships require on-campus housing regardless of the award amount.

11. Gold level scholarships may not be used in conjunction with other Gold level scholarships. Gold Scholarships include:  Golden Griffon, President's Academic, Regents' Academic, Dean's Academic, GED, President's Community College Transfer, and Regents' Community College Transfer.

12. The total dollar value of scholarships and grants from federal, state, and institutional sources cannot exceed the student’s total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies and is calculated in accordance with Federal financial aid regulations.

13. Scholarship GPA criterion is based on a 4.0 scale.
14. Western scholarships will be prorated or canceled if a student completely withdraws and receives a refund in accordance with the University's refund policy. (Effective 2007-08)
15. Because funds may be limited, incoming freshman students should RSVP for a Destination Western Program or enroll by June 30th to secure scholarship awards.