WWU Scholarships

More than 60% of WWU students receive financial aid, but much of it has to be paid back. Across the nation, student loan debt has exceeded credit card debt. You can help the next generation launch their careers without this crippling burden.

Scholarships provide important support and the vote of confidence many students need, first to choose Western, and then to stay motivated in their studies. Scholarships are also a great resume booster for students looking to showcase their academic and personal achievements.

Scholarships can be provided in a number of different ways: you can support the WWU Foundation Scholarship Fund or specific scholarship funds on campus, create your own annual scholarship, or establish a permanent endowed scholarship.

WWU Foundation Scholarship Fund:

Gifts to the WWU Foundation Scholarship Fund are put to highest and best use, allocated to Admissions for bringing talented students to Western, in addition to providing much needed support to students with financial need. These funds are also distributed across campus to provide financial support for students in every department and program. You enable hundreds of students to obtain a high-quality education, lessening their financial burden and allowing them to focus on their studies.

Named Scholarship Funds:

Maybe you have been the recipient of one of the many scholarships established across campus in memory or honor of beloved faculty and staff, alumni and friends of Western. If you do not see the scholarship you are looking for in the list of gift designations when you click on the Give Now button, please click Other and you will be able to write in the name of the scholarship fund you are looking for.

Alumni Association Scholarship Fund:

The Alumni Association Scholarship fund offers $1,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen and undergraduates throughout every college and many programs. This important fund is supported by generous donations from alumni and friends as well as through the Department of Licensing WWU Specialty License Plate Program and Alumni Association memberships.

Diversity Scholarships and Initiatives: 

A number of scholarships have been established to support Western's mission to increase diversity on our campus and are presented here as giving options when you click on the Give Now Button. These scholarships provide the financial support and the vote of confidence students need to feel at home and be able to succeed in college. All students should be able to pursue higher education and experience success both inside and outside of the classroom. 

While there are many impactful scholarships and initiatives across campus, here are a few that we have chosen to highlight on WWU Give Day

Associated Students/Ethnic Student Center Scholarship Funds

These scholarships students from diverse backgrounds to affirm their identity, build community and cultivate leadership.

• Latina/Latino Academic and Leadership Scholarship Endowment
• Asian and Pacific Islander Academic and Leadership Scholarship Endowment
• Native American Academic and Leadership Scholarship Endowment
• Martin Luther King Academic and Leadership Scholarship Endowment

Gateways Scholarship

• For students who have been affected by homelessness

Learning without Borders Scholarship

• To help undocumented students with housing, tuition and books.

Undocumented Student Resources Fund

• Meets critical needs of undocumented students including housing, transportation, books and tuition.

Womxn of Color Empowerment Scholarship

• For students who experience the issues and concerns of women of color and/or who are advocates for women of color.

WWU Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

• For students who are making a difference int heir communities, and contributing greatly to Western by actively participating in the life of the University.  

Create your own named scholarship:

Annual named scholarships can be established with an annual gift of $2,000 or more, endowed scholarships, which support WWU students in perpetuity, can be established with a gift of $25,000 or more (payable over five years).  As a named scholarship donor, you can choose the name of your scholarship and the student characteristics you'd like to support.  Please contact- Angie Vandenhaak in the WWU Foundation at (360) 650-3274 or Angie.vandenhaak@wwu.edu for more information!