Scholarships for first-time freshmen
WWU offers a variety of scholarships to entering, first-time freshmen, many of which may be renewable for three additional years. Students are advised to inform Student Financial Services of scholarship eligibility and be prepared to document eligibility as required. Entering freshmen who do not attend WWU all three quarters of their freshman year forfeit a portion of their scholarships.
This scholarship program was designed for first-time freshmen who enroll after January 1, 2025 and its provisions will continue to apply over the four years of total potential eligibility.
Students transferring in less than 36 quarter credits may be eligible for freshmen scholarships. See notes below.
Achievement Scholarship
$9,000-$15,000 per year
A student can be awarded only one of the following GPA or ACT/SAT scholarships, whichever has the highest cumulative dollar value over four years.
This award is fully renewable for three additional years as long as the student meets SAP requirements at WWU. To validate this award, evidence of high school grade-point average must be submitted to Marketing and Enrollment Services by the student's school. General Equivalency Diploma (GED) test scores do not qualify.
GPA Scholarship
| High school GPA | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3.9-4.0 | $15,000 |
| 3.75-3.89 | $13,000 |
| 3.50-3.74 | $11,000 |
| 3.25-3.49 | $10,000 |
| 3.00-3.24 | $9,000 |
ACT Scholarship
| ACT Score | Amount |
|---|---|
| 31+ | $15,000 |
| 29-30 | $13,000 |
| 25-28 | $11,000 |
| 24 | $10,000 |
| 23 | $9,000 |
SAT Scholarship
| SAT Score* | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1440+ | $15,000 |
| 1360-1430 | $13,000 |
| 1220-1350 | $11,000 |
| 1190-1210 | $10,000 |
| 1150-1180 | $9,000 |
*Taken after February 2016
Transfer Students with less than 36 credits may qualify for the Achievement Scholarship by GPA only. If transferring in less than 12 credits, the cumulative high school GPA is used. If transferring in 12 or more credits, the cumulative college GPA is used.
Out-of-Area Grant
$2,500 per year
A student whose residential address is outside of Washington or Oregon will receive an award of $2,500. Students who receive this grant can continue to receive it for an additional 3 years as long as they maintain the out-of-area residency requirement. If the student is a dependent financial aid applicant, the state of residence is that of the parent supplying information on the FAFSA. Otherwise, we use the state of the student's permanent address. Students who have more than 36 quarter credits and attend any other college or university (except for the summer) forfeit the balance of their grant. Students receiving this grant cannot receive the Washington College Grant/Washington State Need Grant.
Transfer Students with less than 36 credits may qualify for the Out-of-Area Grant.
National Merit Scholars Award
$1,000-full tuition
| Placement Level | Amount |
|---|---|
| Finalist (President's Scholarship) | Full tuition* |
| Semifinalist (WWU Merit Award) | $1,500** |
| Commended Student (WWU Merit Award) | $1,000** |
*100% tuition for two years and 50% tuition for two additional years if the student maintains a 3.80 cumulative GPA at WWU. Recipient is eligible for leadership scholarships, but not eligible for other academic scholarships, including the Out-of-Area Grant.
**Fully renewable for three additional years if student maintains a 3.80 cumulative GPA at WWU. Recipient also eligible for GPA or ACT/SAT scholarship and the Achievement Bonus.
Transfer Students are not eligible for the National Merit Scholars Award.
Leadership Award
$500–$1,500
Walla Walla University awards a scholarship to entering freshmen who served in selected leadership roles during their junior and senior years. To validate this award, evidence of the office held must be submitted to Enrollment Services. Students may qualify for more than one Excellence in Leadership award up to a total of $1,500.
Transfer Students are not eligible for the Leadership Award.
| Office | Award |
|---|---|
| Student Association (S.A.) President | $1,500 |
| SA Executive Vice President | $1,000* |
| SA Spiritual Vice President | $1,000 |
| Senior Class President | $1,350 |
| Senior Class Executive Vice President | $1,000 |
| Senior Class Spiritual Vice President | $1,000 |
| Junior Class President | $1,000 |
| Junior Class Executive Vice President | $750 |
| Yearbook Editor | $1,350 |
| Yearbook Assistant Editor | $825 |
| Yearbook Co-Editor | $750 |
| Newspaper Editor | $1,350 |
| Newspaper Assistant Editor | $825 |
| Newspaper Co-Editor | $750 |
| Head Resident Assistant | $850 |
| Resident Assistant | $825 |
| Team Captain | $500 |
| Outstanding community/church leadership* | $500 |
| Other office (JR or SR year)* | $500 |
*Office subject to WWU approval. Limit two awards of this type per student.
Honors General Studies Program Scholarship
$1,000–$1,500 per year
Students in the Honors Program are awarded an annual scholarship dependent on successful completion of specific courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at WWU. Freshmen and sophomore students receive $1,000 and juniors and seniors receive $1,500. Scholarship funds will be applied to student accounts at the start of spring quarter.