Scholarships

Please read the following information if you are inquiring about 24-25 or 25-26 WCU Scholarship Applications:

Most scholarship applications have closed for 24-25. However, the scholarship application(s) listed below are currently open for students to complete to be considered for WCU scholarships. Questions or issues?  Please email finaidsch@wcupa.edu 

Scholarship Applications for the 25-26 academic year are now open! Please read the description of each application to see if you qualify! Current students as well as accepted students with a WCU username and password will be able to complete the applications. 

It is Finanical Aid Week! Please join the Financial Aid Office and campus partners Monday, February 10th-14th all week for games, discussions, prizes, and much more! For a full list of events, please click on the drop down below or visit Ram Connect!

Current Open 2024-25 Scholarship Applications:

PSECU SSI Scholarship Application: Available for any current students who are existing members of Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union OR current students seeking to become members.

Study Abroad Scholarship Application - Summer: Available for an current students who are planning to study abroad during the Summer 2025 semester. 

John F. Hopkins Literary Award Application: Available for any undergraduate students in their final year of study at WCU, minoring in Creative Writing and/or majoring in English or BSED.

Current Open 2025-26 Scholarship Applications:

WCU General Scholarship Application: Available for any undergraduate or graduate student.

APSCUF Scholarship Application: Available for any current undergraduate student with a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA or graduate student with a GPA of at least 3.0.

Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy Scholarship Application: Available for any student who identifies as LGBTQIA+ or Ally to the community.

College of Arts and Humanities Scholarship Application: Available for any undergraduate or graduate student whose major and/or minor is in the College of Arts & Humanities.

College of Business & Public Management Scholarship Application: Available for any undergraduate or graduate student whose major and/or minor is in the College of Business & Public Management

College of Health Sciences Scholarship Application: Available for any undergraduate or graduate student whose major and/or minor is in the College of Health Sciences.

College of Sciences and Mathematics Scholarship Application: Available for any undergraduate or graduate student whose major and/or minor is in the College of Sciences & Mathematics.

Teacher Candidate Scholarship Application for Current Students: Available for any current graduate or undergraduate student whose major and/or minor is in the Education Department.

Undergraduate Social Work Scholarship Application for Current Students: Available for any current undergraduate student whose major and/or minor is Social Work. 

Graduate Social Work Scholarship Application for Current Students: Available for any current graduate student whose major and/or minor is Social Work. 

Wells School of Music Application: Available for any current undergraduate or graduate student whose major and/or minor is in the Wells School of Music. 

Charlotte Newcombe Scholarship Application: Available for any current undergraduate student who is at least 25 years old, completed a minimum of 60 credits, plans to enroll in at least 9 credits in Fall 25, and has filed the 25-26 FAFSA.

Dr. & Mrs. Charles Swope Memorial Scholarship Application for Graduates: Available for any current graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and has earned a Bachelor's Degree from WCU. 

Dr. & Mrs. Charles Swope Memorial Scholarship Application for Undergraduates: Available for any current undergraduate students who have completed at least 45 credits and has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

International  Student Scholarship Application: Available for any current undergraduate or graduate international students. 

ROTC Scholarship Application: Available for any current undergraduate students who are participating in ROTC. 

Veteran's Scholarship Application: Available for any current undergraduate students who are veterans. 

Women in Leadership Application: Available for any current female student who has completed at least 60 credits and has a minimum cumulative 3.25 GPA. 

Financial Aid Week 2025 - February 10th to 14th

Financial Aid Week 2025 is here February 10th to 14th! Please join the Financial Aid Office and Campus Partners for games and presentations! There will be gift card giveaways, prizes for games, food, and much more!

  • Tuesday, February 11th at 2pm in SECC 107 - Bingo
  • Tuesday, February 11th 11am in SECC 106 - Scholarships Essays Do's & Don'ts
  • Tuesday, February 11th 2pm in Sykes 115 - Student Employment
  • Wednesday, February 12th 12pm in Sykes 115 - Financial Aid Jeopardy
  • Wednesday, February 12th 2pm in Sykes 115 - How Grades Impact Financial Aid
  • Thursday, February 13th 11am in Sykes 115 - Get to know the WCU Foundation
  • Thursday, February 13th 1pm in Sykes 115 - Understanding Loans
  • Friday, February 14th 9am - 3pm in Math Computer Lab 103 - Apply for Scholarships NOW!!

First Year Merit Scholarships Q&A

Who do we talk to about being reviewed for a merit scholarship?

The Admissions office reviews for merit awards during the application review process. You will receive notice of your merit award within your acceptance letter; or within an email communication following your acceptance. All merit scholarships are also included in your official Financial Aid Offer starting late January. If you are not selected for a merit award during the Admissions review, know that you can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities via the General Scholarship Application in February of each year.

What are the criteria for qualifying for a merit scholarship?

Students are reviewed based on a combination of their high school performance and test scores if they choose to provide them. If test scores are not provided, high school performance is used to determine eligibility.

When will we know we qualify for a scholarship?

If you were already admitted and selected for a scholarship, you would have received an email communication. Those being admitted moving forward will be notified at the time of your acceptance to WCU; financial aid awards will go out to FAFSA filers starting in late January.

For the General Scholarship application that is available in February at wcupa.edu/scholarship, decisions will be sent by July 1. Most of these awards are one-time funds that range between $500-$2000.

How will we be informed of other institutional aid?

Although merit awards will be included in your acceptance letter other institutional awards will be included in your financial aid offer.

You will receive revised award notices if you are selected for a scholarship after receiving your initial notice.

If we get an acceptance and no scholarship is included should we assume we did not qualify for a merit scholarship?

Although you may not have qualified for a merit award, the financial aid office will review for need-based institutional funds for FAFSA filers and include these awards within your financial aid offer.

You can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities at wcupa.edu/scholarships including outside scholarships and the General Scholarship Application that opens in February.

How can I appeal my financial aid award or scholarship decision?

There will be an appeal form on your applicant portal which will become available in February after the initial financial aid awards are posted. Please wait to receive your full financial aid offer before submitting an appeal.

Transfer Recognition and Achievement Awards Q&A

Who do we talk to about being reviewed for a transfer award?

The Admissions office reviews for transfer awards during the application review process. You will receive notice of your award within your acceptance letter or within an email communication following your acceptance. If you are not selected for an award during the Admissions review, know that you can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities via the General Scholarship Application in February of each year at wcupa.edu/scholarships.

What are the criteria for qualifying for a transfer award?

Students are reviewed based on their college cumulative GPA and the available funding.

When will we know we qualify for an award?

If you were already admitted and selected for an award, you would have received an email communication. Those being admitted moving forward will be notified at the time of your acceptance to WCU or shortly after by email.

How will we be informed?

Although transfer awards will be included in your acceptance letter or emailed to you after acceptance, other institutional awards will be included in your financial aid offer. You will receive revised award notices if you are selected for a scholarship after receiving your initial notice.

If we get an acceptance and no scholarship is included should we assume we did not qualify for a merit scholarship?

Although you may not have qualified for a transfer award, the financial aid office will review for need-based institutional funds for FAFSA filers and include these awards within your financial aid offer. You can also apply for additional scholarship opportunities at wcupa.edu/scholarships including outside scholarships and the General Scholarship Application that opens in February.

How can I appeal my financial aid award or scholarship decision?

There will be an appeal form on your applicant portal which will become available after the initial financial aid awards are posted. Please wait to receive your full financial aid offer before submitting an appeal.

WCU Scholarship Criteria

West Chester University institutional aid including the Golden Ram Award, Boundless Ram Grant, and Academic Excellence Scholarship are based on students continued full-time enrollment and good academic standing. Good academic standing is defined by a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater as well as the completion of 24 credits per academic year. Students are limited to 8 semesters for these awards.  Students receiving the Golden Ram Award are also required to complete a FAFSA each year. Changes in the FAFSA or financial aid award, that impact eligibility, could also result in the repackaging of the Golden Ram Award as it is a need-based fund.

Council of Trustee Scholarship: This $8,000 award will be provided each year, up to eight (8) semesters, if you maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average, enroll full-time each term, and complete at least 24 credits at the end of each academic year. Additionally, you must also remain in good student conduct status with the University. As this is WCU's most prestigious award, students who have been awarded Academic Excellence or other WCU funds may see an adjustment or replacement of funds with the Council of Trustees Scholarship. 

Students who have changes in their residency and therefore cost of attendance may also see adjustments to award amounts. For assistance with scholarship renewal requirements, please email finaidsch@wcupa.edu

 

Military and Veterans Scholarship Information

PASSHE Foundation Scholarship

PASSHE PA STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY:
Applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time at a PASSHE University in good academic standing. Applicant must attend one of the 10 PASSHE universities.


SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students can reapply for the scholarship the following semester if they are not selected. The first priority will go to students who have yet to receive the award.


AMOUNT OF AWARD:
Full-time students are eligible for an award of up to $2,000 per academic year, and part-time students enrolled in less than 12 credits or non-credit bearing classes are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 per academic year. Scholarship funds are issued directly to your university to support tuition, room, and board.

The Spring 25 PASSHE Foundation Scholarship Application is now open! Click here to apply by 1/12/25 at 11:59pm.

 

 

Outside Scholarships

Learn more about Reporting Outside Scholarships to WCU .

West Chester University receives and publicizes information from various businesses, foundations, and civic organizations about scholarships they offer to students. A list of outside scholarship opportunities organized by deadline can be found below.

The University is not affiliated with these groups and does not endorse their products or services and therefore disclaims any responsibility or liability for the information provided. The scholarship links are active at the time the information was received. If you find a link not working, please try to search by the name of the scholarship and also alert us at finaidsch@wcupa.edu

Graduate Scholarships

Rolling Deadline

September 2024 Deadline

December 2024 Deadline

Additional Scholarship Resources