Scholarships and Financial Aid

College-wide Scholarships

The College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University recognizes the importance of a quality education. A number of scholarships are awarded annually by the college as part of our dedication to helping you find a way to achieve your higher education goals. Review the following eligibility criteria and complete the application to apply for the following scholarships.

Deadline to apply: February 28

  • Questions

    Contact Nancy Cretsinger at (269) 387-3680.

Department Scholarships

College scholarship details

CHHS Scholarship

Eligibility criteria

  • Be enrolled in one of the College of Health and Human Services programs
  • Be a graduate (first or second year) or undergraduate (minimum sophomore, junior or senior) to apply
  • Registered for not less than 12 hours undergraduate or 9 hours graduate level credit
  • Cumulative grade point average: 3.0 minimum
  • May not simultaneously hold any other WMU or CHHS scholarship

Award amount: Varies

Elissa Gatlin Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility criteria

  • 2.75 GPA for undergraduates
  • 3.00 GPA for graduates
  • Enrolled in professional programs in occupational therapy, nursing, speech pathology, blindness and low vision studies, social work or physician assistant
  • U.S. citizen
  • Based on financial need
  • African American, Native American or Hispanic American

Award amount: $500 to one undergraduate and $500 to one graduate for fall and spring semesters

E. Arthur and Lorna Pierre Scholarship

Eligibility criteria

  • Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in the College of Education and Human Development (awarded in even years) or the College of Health and Human Services (awarded in odd years)
  • Awarded to a first year professional student
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • The College of Health and Human Services Scholarship shall be awarded to a first-year professional student who is a graduate of a public school in Oakland County, Michigan 

Award amount: Varies

Jeffrey and Barbara Vortman Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

  • CHHS dean determines each annually the specific department or program to which the scholarship will go.  Applicants will be sought from among those students enrolled in the selected department or program
  • Preference shall be given to students with a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in the health and human services field

Award amount: Varies

Leonard Gernant and Frances A. Gernant Gerontology Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Full-time undergraduate student, in a degree granting curriculum in Health and Human Services
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA at the time of application, and shall maintain this GPA during the duration of the scholarship award time period
  • Preference shall be given to eligible students who demonstrate overall high academic achievement and dedication to a career in Health and Human Service areas, with an emphasis on serving the aged

Award amount: Varies

Kendall and Susan Warren Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Awarded to high-achieving students from underserved and rural areas in Southwest Michigan who intend to major in a program in Health and Human Services with the demonstrated goal of increasing access to quality healthcare in their community or a similar community
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA
  • Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply

Award amount: Varies

Dr. Earlie M. Washington Endowed Dean’s Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

  • Support a College of Health and Human Services graduate student in good academic standing who exhibits leadership through service to their profession and community