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. Our review and awarding process recognizes that each student’s experience cannot be summarized by a single number.

Many of Western’s awards are based on information provided in your Application for Admission, including grade point average (GPA), personal statement, essay, and activities resume. Other scholarships may require additional information through a separate application process. Western is a test-optional institution, therefore scores from the ACT or SAT are not included in the scholarship 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 $1,500-$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.

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 $2,000 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 transfer 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.

Fairhaven College Scholarships

Several Fairhaven College Scholarships are awarded to first-year and transfer students who are new to both Western Washington University and Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and selection is based on financial need and academic ability. Please visit the Fairhaven College Scholarships webpage for more information.