Fall 2020 Admissions Scholarships

Incoming fall 2020 first-year undergraduate students who wish to be considered for admissions scholarships should complete their admissions application file by the Early Action deadline of November 15 extended deadline of December 1 (unless otherwise indicated). This deadline has been extended due to COVID-19.

Information in the admissions application (i.e., extracurricular activities, honors and awards, essay/personal statement) is also used for campus scholarships and honors college invitation. Make sure to fully complete all areas of the admissions application to maximize your consideration for these opportunities.

Scholarships are selective and many require separate applications or participation in on-campus competitions. Students awarded more than one Office of Admissions scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value. Additional funding opportunities may be found through WMU's Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Scholarships are subject to change. 

*Deadline is extended to next business day if published date occurs over the weekend.

First-year students-Fall 2020 entry

  • Medallion Scholarship Program

    Eligibility criteria

    Qualified high schools seniors are eligible to compete for the most prestigious academic scholarship at WMU. For consideration, students must submit the following by the Early Action deadline of November 15* of their senior year:

    • Completed WMU admission application
    • 3.7+ cumulative GPA (weighted) at the end of junior year of high school.
    • 1230+ redesigned SAT or 26+ ACT by the application deadline.

    *Deadline is extended to next business day if published date occurs over the weekend.

    Award levels

    Medallion Scholarship

    $60,000 total award ($15,000 per year for four years). Awarded to approximately 20 competitors annually.

    Bronco Merit Scholarship

    $10,000 total award ($2,500 per year for four years). All students who attend the competition will receive the Bronco Merit Award. Up to 60 students will be selected to continue in the process, resulting in higher award amounts.

    Award details and renewal criteria

    • Actively participate as a member of the Lee Honors College and the Medallion class as well as serve as an ambassador for the college and university.
    • Paid in equal amounts, fall and spring only.
    • Enroll fall term immediately after high school graduation.
    • Must earn and maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA after enrolling at Western Michigan University.
    • Merit-based and renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of undergraduate study, or until graduation requirements are met, whichever occurs first.
    • Students entering fall 2020 must earn 28 credit hours per academic year, no minimum credits per semester.
    • Renewal maintenance will be considered at the end of the summer terms before awards disburse for the following academic year.
  • Foundation Scholars

    Award amount

    • $60,000 over four years / $15,000 per year

    Consideration criteria

    • 3.7+ weighted cumulative GPA
    • Must be a first-year student enrolling in the fall immediately following high school graduation.
    • Admissible to WMU
    • Have verified financial need based on one or more of the following criteria
         -Student is enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL)
         -Student is a ward of the state, an orphan, or in foster care
         -Student is homeless, as determined by their district’s McKinney-Vento Liaison
         -Student is undocumented.

    Renewal criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 24 credit hours per academic year (not to include summer sessions or repeated courses).

    Deadline

    • Completed admission application and supplemental materials due by February 15. Supplemental materials to be submitted through the Gold Gateway account.

    Additional information

    • U.S. citizens and permanent residents must file the FAFSA. All available financial information will be used to make final scholarship decisions.   
    • Students who qualify for more than one admission scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value.
  • Bronco Merit Plus

    Award Amount

    • $15,000 over four years ($3,750 per year) 

    Award Criteria for National Merit® Finalists

    • Be named a National Merit® Finalist and provide a copy of your notification letter to admissions-scholarship@wmich.edu.
    • List Western Michigan University as your first-choice university with the National Merit® Scholarship Corporation.
    • Apply and be admitted to WMU by June 1. This deadline has been extended to July 31 due to COVID-19.
    • Be a first-time, full-time beginner student entering in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

    Award Criteria for National Hispanic Scholars

    • Be recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar by the College Board's National Hispanic Recognition Program and provide a copy of your certificate to admissions-scholarship@wmich.edu.
    • Apply and be admitted to WMU by June 1. This deadline has been extended to July 31 due to COVID-19.
    • Be a first-time, full-time beginner student entering in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

    Renewal Criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 28 credit hours per academic year (fall through summer; not to include repeated courses).

    Note

    • Students offered more than one admission scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value. 
  • Bronco Merit

    Award amount

    • $10,000 over four years / $2,500 per year

    Consideration criteria

    • All students who submit a completed admission application by the Early Action deadline of November 15 (extended deadline of July 31) and participate in the on-campus Medallion Scholarship competition will be awarded the Bronco Merit Scholarship.
    • Must be a first-year student enrolling in the fall immediately following high school graduation.
    • Additional Bronco Merit awards may be offered based on the quality and quantity of the application pool and fund availability.

    Deadline

    • A completed admission application is due by the early action deadline of November 15. Due to COVID-19, this deadline has been extended to July 31. Information in the admission application file will be used to determine eligibility and during the scholarship selection process. No additional materials or application are required to be considered.

    Renewal criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 28 credit hours per academic year (fall through summer; not to include  repeated courses).

    Note

    • Students who qualify for more than one admission scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value.
  • Brown and Gold

    Award amount

    • $9,000 / $2,250 per year (increased from $5,000 on December 13, 2019)

    Consideration criteria

    • All students who apply by the Early Action deadline of November 15 extended deadline of July 31 and meet Lee Honors College admission criteria will be award a Brown & Gold Scholarship.
    • Must be a first-year student enrolling in the fall immediately following high school graduation.
    • Lee Honors College admission criteria for students beginning in fall 2020 includes:
      -4.00 GPA & 24+ ACT or 1160+ SAT
      -3.80 GPA & 25+ ACT or 1200+ SAT
      -3.60 GPA & 26+ ACT or 1230+ SAT
    • Additional Brown & Gold Scholarship awards may be offered based on the quality and quantity of the application pool and fund availability.

    Deadline

    • A completed admission application is due by the early action deadline of November 15. This deadline has been extended to July 31 due to COVID-19. Information in the admission application file will be used to determine eligibility and during the scholarship selection process. No supplemental materials or separate application are required to be considered.

    Renewal criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 24 credit hours per academic year (not to include summer sessions or repeated courses).

    Note

    • Students who qualify for more than one admission scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value.
  • Bronco Recognition

    Award amount

    • $8,000 over four years / $2,000 per year

    Consideration criteria

    • 3.25+ weighted cumulative GPA
    • 1100+ redesigned SAT or 22+ ACT
    • Be a first-time, full-time beginner student entering in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

    Deadline

    • A completed admission application is due by the early action deadline of November 15 extended deadline of July 31. This deadline has been extended due to COVID-19. Information in the admission application file will be used to determine eligibility and during the scholarship selection process. No supplemental materials or separate application are required to be considered.

    Renewal criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 24 credit hours per academic year (not to include summer sessions or repeated courses).

    Note

    • Students who qualify for more than one admission scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value.
  • MLK Gold

    Award amount

    • $32,000 over four years / $8,000 per year
    • This award is merit-based and renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of undergraduate study, or until graduation requirements are met, whichever occurs first.

    Renewal criteria

    • Earn and maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average and satisfactory academic progress, measured after each academic year.
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment at WMU (minimum 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters). Repeated courses not included.
    • Successfully complete 24 credit hours per academic year (not to include summer sessions or repeated courses).
    • Participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Scholars Academy.

    Notes

    • Students who qualify for more than one admissions scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of the highest value.
  • Other Scholarship Opportunities

    College Departmental Awards
    Explore departmental scholarships and awards specific to majors and programs of study. 
    Value/criteria: Awards and eligibility criteria vary by department. Supplemental material(s) may be required for consideration.
    Deadline: Deadlines vary and most occur in January and February.

    Endowed Scholarships
    Value/criteria: Award amounts and eligibility requirements vary
    Deadline: The endowed scholarships application will be available in early December 2019. Applications are due by February 15*

    Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
    Value: $8,000 ($2,000/year for four years)
    Criteria: Students who are the child, stepchild, grandchild, or sibling of a WMU alumna or alumnus with a degree from WMU are encouraged to apply. 
    Deadline: Scholarship application due by February 1*
    The Alumni Association Legacy scholarship is competitive and selective, and a limited number of scholarships are awarded each year based on the quality and quantity of the applicant pool and available funding.

    MLK GOLD Scholarship
    Value: $32,000 ($8,000/year for four years)
    Criteria: 3.00 GPA and at least two of the following criteria: participation in a pre-college/bridge or migrant education program, eligible for participation in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program, and/or first generation college student. 
    Deadline: Completed admission application and supplemental materials due by February 15*. Scholarship materials must be submitted through the Gold Gateway.

    Seita Scholarship
    Value: Partial tuition scholarship
    Criteria: Students who have lived some or all of their teenage years in foster care. Additional criteria.
    Deadline: Scholarship application due by May 15*

    *Deadline is extended to next business day if published date occurs over the weekend.