Whether you’re looking for admissions or athletic scholarships, achievement-based grants or a tuition reduction as a dependent of a WMU employee, there are a variety of institutional scholarships and grants to help cover the expenses of your education. So be sure to take a minute to explore!
Please note: Western Michigan University will limit institutional funds (i.e., need-based grants, merit scholarships, departmental scholarships, employee tuition waivers, Indian Tuition Grant Waiver, etc.) to the annual cost of attendance.
Admissions scholarships
You've put in the hard work—now it's time to see your reward.
Whether you are entering college for the first time after completing high school or are transferring to WMU from another institution, be sure to check out our scholarship options. Students earn scholarships for financial need, academic success and promoting multicultural awareness. Most are offered on a competitive basis. WMU merit scholarships are renewable for three consecutive academic years (first year), one additional year (transfer) or until degree requirements are met, whichever comes first.
Incoming first-year scholarships
Begin your college journey with access to awards and funding specifically designed for first-year students. From fully paid offerings within the Empowering Futures scholarships to the prestigious Medallion Scholarship Program, WMU is excited to contribute to the first-year offerings for our newest Broncos.
Learn more about first-year scholarships
Incoming transfer scholarships
Transferring to WMU also comes with unique scholarships created specifically for students who have made WMU their new academic home. In addition to many of the institutional offerings listed here, transfer students are eligible for Community College Competitive Transfer Scholarships.
Departmental scholarships
Many Western Michigan University students benefit from scholarships offered through different colleges and programs.
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Aviation
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Health and Human Services
- Graduate College
- Haworth College of Business
- Lee Honors College
Faculty and staff: For scholarship awarding and more, visit our dedicated Faculty and Staff resources page. If you are working with a student who has questions about financial aid, please refer them to Student Financial Aid.
Receiving the phone call that I received the Foundation Scholarship changed my life completely. And every single day that I'm at Western, there's an impact that someone makes in my life. I don't know what life would be without the scholarship. I don't know if I would be the leader that I am today.
Endowed scholarships
Through the generous support of donors, WMU has more than 50 endowed scholarships that are available to degree seeking students. To be considered for these and other scholarships, please access WMU’s Scholarship Universe system. Applications for the next academic year will open in December and close in February.
Athletic scholarships
WMU’s financial aid office disburses all athletic aid to student-athletes. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers athletic aid according to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines. Athletic aid is considered part of a student’s financial aid package and will be factored into student aid offers to ensure compliance with both federal and NCAA regulations.
Graduate awards
Scholarships and grants
Graduate students are not eligible for the same financial aid programs that undergraduate students receive, which means no state or federal grant money. Your aid package will consist mostly of loans. However, scholarships and other funding may be available through the Graduate College.
Assistantships
WMU offers three categories of graduate assistantships:
- Teaching
- Research
- Non-teaching or service through the Graduate College
These programs are a great way to help pay for your graduate degree.
International student scholarships
International students do not qualify for federal financial aid, but institutional scholarships may be available through WMU’s International Admissions and Services office.
Institutional scholarships renewals and appeals
Full-time enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are required for scholarships to pay. If students are not meeting SAP requirements, then they must complete an SAP appeal with the Office of Student Financial Aid. If student’s SAP appeal is granted, the reinstated SAP status will automatically allow the scholarship to pay and no additional scholarship appeal is necessary. Please contact Bronco Express for further questions at (269) 387-6000 or @email.
Grants
![Students in the classroom, with a student working at the white board.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/2024-07/literacy_classroom.jpg)
WMU Achievement Grant
Student Emergency Relief Fund
The Student Emergency Relief Fund (SERF) is available to assist students with financial needs outside of the expected costs of education.
Undocumented students
Privately funded assistance is available on a limited basis for noncitizens who are undocumented and having difficulty paying their tuition. In addition to tuition assistance, students with a work-eligible status, such as DACA, are eligible for jobs on campus. Information about student employment is available on Handshake.
Dependent tuition remission or reduction
Western offers a discount program for benefits-eligible employees and a remission program for the spouse and dependent children of employees with full-time benefits eligibility. Remission is 75% of tuition and required fees (records initiation fee, enrollment fee, student assessment fee and EUP technology fee) for courses offered and taken for academic credit at WMU and requires an application. Students must be enrolled as undergraduate students in credit-bearing courses to receive this benefit. More information is available through WMU Human Resources. Please note: The 100% tuition discount for faculty and staff is managed by Accounts Receivable.
More funding opportunities
Federal student grants:
A federal student grant is a type of financial aid that you don’t have to pay back. They come in the form of the federal Pell Grant, the federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and the federal TEACH Grant.
State of Michigan scholarships:
Residents of Michigan may qualify for scholarships or grants. The state of Michigan will notify WMU of student eligibility, and the financial aid office will offer students accordingly.
Private scholarships:
Private scholarships are free funds from sources outside of WMU. Scholarships that are received from a private source must be reported to the University and must be factored in to existing student financial aid offers.
Loans:
Loans are another way to finance your education. Undergraduate and graduate students and parents of dependent students may borrow money to pay for educational expenses.