99%
50+
60%
About scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. They are a great way to pay for your education and may reduce the need for student loans. Most, but not all scholarships require submission of the FAFSA. Be sure to file as soon as it becomes available.
Admitted Broncos are encouraged to review and apply for institutional and external scholarships using WMU's scholarship-matching tool, Scholarship Universe, which students can log into using their Bronco NetID and password. Find instructions on how to log into and navigate Scholarship Universe.
Most institutional scholarships open for application on Dec. 1 and close on Feb. 15. In addition to using the Scholarship Universe tool for your scholarship search, we recommend checking your academic department's webpage regarding their departmental scholarships, as some departments may have different deadlines and application processes.
- Scholarships: These are usually offered based on merit. Many consider financial need (FAFSA recommended but not required). Common sources are institutional, private and state of Michigan.
- Grants: tend to be based on financial need (FAFSA required). Common sources are institutional, private and state of Michigan.
New students: You will be considered for scholarships at the time of admission.
Current students: Please log into Scholarship Universe to view additional scholarships.
Prospective students: If you are considering WMU and are not admitted yet, you can still view public scholarships. To maximize your eligibility for both scholarships and grants, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal student grants
A federal grant for college is a financial aid program offered by the government to eligible students to help cover the cost of their education. It does not need to be repaid, making it a valuable resource for making your college investment more affordable.
Institutional scholarships and grants
WMU offers a variety of scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. Here are some of our offerings:
- Admissions scholarships
- Athletic scholarships
- Departmental scholarships
- Endowed scholarships
State of Michigan scholarships and grants
Residents of Michigan may qualify for scholarships or grants from the state of Michigan. To be eligible, students must file a FAFSA and log into the Michigan Student Scholarships and Grants (MISSG) Student Portal. The state will notify Western of student eligibility, and the financial aid office will offer aid to 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 into existing student financial aid offers.
Michigan Promise Zones
Promise programs established in cities within Michigan aim to provide tuition-free pathways to a degree for every high school graduate in those communities. They combine various funding sources, including federal grants and private donations of all sizes to make college education more accessible to students graduating from high schools in those areas.
Kalamazoo Promise
WMU is a proud partner of the Kalamazoo Promise, a private scholarship foundation that offers scholarships to students who attended Kalamazoo Public Schools. Eligibility for the offer is determined by the Kalamazoo Promise program office, and WMU offers scholarships to students from a roster received from the program.
Bronco Promise
We're making our own promise to you: The Bronco Promise. This program removes financial barriers and supports students in pursuing their academic goals. It guarantees free tuition and fees for eligible students from the state of Michigan. It covers the remaining cost of tuition and fees after accounting for other financial aid, making a college education more accessible and affordable.
Veterans and military grants and aid
At WMU, we offer our veterans and active military funding sources in the forms of grants, in-state tuition and commission through the University's ROTC program. We also provide a list of veterans affairs benefits.
Work-study
Federal work-study is a need-based financial aid program funded by the federal government and Western Michigan University. It is offered to students based on need who are enrolled during the period of their employment. Unlike grants and scholarships, federal work-study offers are earned and paid through the payroll process in the form of a biweekly paycheck. Federal work-study offers and amounts are subject to eligibility requirements and fund availability. Early application is very important.
Loans
WMU participates in federal and private loan programs. 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. The money that is borrowed needs to be repaid, but there are a variety of repayment options available.
