WA Resident Scholarships for First-Year Students
Scholarships are awarded for incoming Fall Quarter students only.
Western Washington University is committed to providing an excellent education at an affordable cost.
Many of Western’s awards are based on information provided in your Application for Admission, including:
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Optional personal statement essay
- Optional activities list
Although students who qualify for Guaranteed Admission are not required to submit high school transcripts to receive an offer of admission, you must do so in order to be considered for Admissions Scholarships.
Other scholarships may require additional information through a separate application process.
Please keep in mind that most scholarships are one-year awards, though some are for multiple years.
Admissions Achievement Awards
Based on the information in your application for admission, no separate scholarship application is required.
These highly competitive merit scholarships for incoming 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 $1,000-$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.
Multicultural Achievement Program (MAP) Scholarship
$2,000–$3,000 for up to four years
Requires an additional essay within your application for admission.
The Multicultural Achievement Program (MAP) Scholarship is 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 essay to admissions.counselors@wwu.edu.
For this scholarship, we prioritize Washington state residents who have submitted their application for admission by the deadline.
Leadership, Diversity, and Other Scholarships
Separate applications are required.
Western has a number of additional programs that recognize a student’s experience and potential for success in leadership, service learning and program involvement. Western’s Distinguished Scholars programs combine students’ interests and experience with distinctive opportunities on campus and may also include a scholarship. Additional scholarships are available for continuing students through their academic department or involvement on campus.
We encourage you to check out the Scholarship Center to find more scholarship opportunities.
All-Washington Academic Team Scholarships
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.
National Merit Scholarship
Additional application materials may be required.
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.
The WashBoard.org
Amount and renewability varies
Most scholarships require additional application materials.
We encourage all Western Washington University students to explore TheWashBoard.org, a free, student-centered, online clearinghouse for Washington state scholarships—both Washington residents and students attending Washington colleges and universities are eligible. TheWashBoard.org allows you to search and apply for verified scholarship opportunities that are specific to your academic interests, transfer student status, or other criteria.
Scholarship Opportunities Beyond Your First Year at Western
Western's Scholarship Center is your resource for finding and applying for Western Washington University scholarships beyond your first year at Western. Each spring, the Scholarship Center invites continuing students to complete a general scholarship application for consideration for scholarships across all areas of campus, including academic and non-academic.
The Scholarship Center can also provide information on scholarship opportunities outside of Western and give tips on how to apply for them.