Table of Contents
Truth be told, obtaining a scholarship is more important now than ever. Not only does it lighten a student’s financial burden, but it also boosts their self-confidence tremendously. Fascinatingly, West Virginia University recognizes the important role of scholarships in cultivating this self-confidence. For that purpose, they offer plentiful WVU scholarships to their students.
Below we list a list of the WVU scholarships new students, transfer students, and even international students are entitled to. However, you may have to visit the official website of West Virginia University for more information regarding the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each of the WVU scholarships.
About West Virginia University
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public and research university based in Morgantown, West Virginia, as its main campus. Additionally, WVU also has several other campuses spread across various regions, such as:
- West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley,
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, and
- A second clinical campus for the university’s medical and dental schools at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston.
Meanwhile, the campus in Morgantown itself offers more than 350 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs across 14 colleges and schools.
Interestingly, WVU classified as “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity.” In fact, according to the National Science Foundation, WVU spent $185.1 million on its research and development program in 2018, ranking it 121st nationwide.
Furthermore, WVU is an affiliate of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute which dedicates its studies to Alzheimer’s and other diseases that affect the brain. Also, WVU is a leader in biometric technology research and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s leading academic fellow in biometric research.
WVU itself ranks 205th in the list of the best universities in the world according to the U.S. News & World Report.
Apparently, to qualify as a freshman resident in West Virginia, applicants must have:
- A 2.0 GPA, and either
- An SAT super score of 990 of 1600 or an ACT super score of 19 of 36.
On the other hand, non-resident applicants must obtain:
- A 2.5 GPA, and either
- An SAT super score of 1060 or an ACT super score of 21 of 36.
Consequently, these requirements bring the general acceptance rate of freshmen at WVU to 71.9%. On average, an incoming student received a GPA of 3.42, a super score of SAT 1115, and a super score of ACT 24.
List of WVU Scholarships
Like many top universities, West Virginia University offers a generous range of scholarships to both current and upcoming students. In fact, apart from being intended to help students offset their financial costs of attending college, these scholarships are designed to attract and encourage good students. Arguably, this can be used to attract both academically and athletically strong students.
For starter, the following is a list of WVU scholarships according to the types:
1. Departmental Scholarships
In fact, WVU students may be qualified to apply for departmental or college scholarships based on their course or department (college). Furthermore, an application may or may not be necessary, and this depends on the respective department.
Also, while some of the departments below offer scholarships to freshmen, most of these are available to the upper-class students:
- Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
- Creative Arts, College
- Davis College WVU Scholarships
- Eberly College WVU Scholarships
- Education and Human Services, College
- Health Sciences Center Programs, including Dental Hygiene; Dentistry D.D.S; Endodontics; Medical Laboratory Sciences; Medicine M.D.; Medical Residency; Microbiology; Nursing – Graduate; Nursing – Undergraduate; Occupational Therapy; Pharmacy; Physical Therapy; Pharmacy; Physical Therapy; Public Health; and other HSC Scholarships.
- John Chambers College of Business and Economics
- Law, College
- Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, College
- Reed College of Media
Therefore, if you are going to attend one of the above departments or colleges, please note that the deadline for each application is different. Typically, the deadline may be in the fall or early spring for the following academic year.
2. Diversity Scholarship
West Virginia University strives to advocate for an inclusive, diverse, and accepting community. In addition to its current scholarship programs, it also offers incoming first-time freshmen for all WVU campuses the opportunity to apply for the Diversity Scholarship.
In particular, this program is designed to award exceptional and talented students who have been traditionally underrepresented on college campuses. Besides, it’s available to those who are culturally, ethnically, or racially diverse.
Due to limited funding, applicants are encouraged to meet the requirements as early as possible. Meanwhile, the deadline for submitting applications itself is July 15th of the forthcoming academic year.
However, the value of the scholarship differs for recipients who are residents of West Virginia and who are not residents of West Virginia.
Additionally, since it is a renewable scholarship, recipients can obtain a Diversity Scholarship for a maximum of eight undergraduate semesters or the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, they cannot use this scholarship during graduate school or earn a second bachelor’s degree.
3. External Scholarships
Actually, when should WVU students seek external scholarships?
Usually, students have the opportunity to obtain external scholarships from private entities if they are unable to meet the conditions and requirements set by the university. For that purpose, they should contact local businesses, organizations, or libraries from their area.
Alternatively, students can also accept sponsorship from a third party who pays the institutional and school education fees as their representatives.
West Virginia University itself endorses the AmeriCorps – Vista Program and the WV PROMISE Scholarship to WVU students who need additional financial resources.
4. WVU Freshman Scholarships
West Virginia University awards numerous academic scholarships to incoming freshmen. For example, the scholarships below are awarded automatically based on admission:
- Dean and Excellence Scholarships for Morgantown
- Departmental Scholarships
- Go First Scholarship
- Scholarship of Distinction
- WVU System Connection Grant
Meanwhile, the scholarships below require a separate application:
- Bucklew Scholarship
- Diversity Scholarship
- Foundation Scholarship
- Leadership Scholarship
- Osher Reentry Scholarship for Nontraditional Students
- Private Scholarships
- PROMISE
- State Scholarships and Grants
- Study Abroad Scholarships
- University Merit Scholarship
- Waivers
- WVU Dependent Education Scholarship & WVU Medicine Employee Dependent Tuition Benefit
However, students must carefully review the deadlines for each of these WVU scholarships in order to be accepted.
5. Institutional Scholarships
Generally, WVU students are automatically considered for most institutional scholarships based upon admission. In fact, this applies to first-time freshmen, incoming undergraduate international students, and first-time undergraduate transfer students.
6. WVU Scholarships for International Students
Fascinatingly, international students also have the opportunity to obtain scholarships while studying at West Virginia University. In fact, these WVU scholarships for international students will be awarded automatically upon admission.
7. Leadership Scholarship
In recognition of outstanding achievement, West Virginia University provides a scholarship to first-time freshmen who have achieved the highest levels of honor or leadership within certain nationally acclaimed organizations. In particular, the Leadership Scholarship is valued at $500 per academic year (fall and spring).
Nevertheless, this scholarship is only valid for students who have participated actively in the following organizations:
- 4-H
- American Heritage Girls and Boy Scouts of America Venturing
- Boy Scouts of America
- Boys and Girls Nation
- Civil Air Patrol
- Girl Scouts of the USA
8. Scholarships for Dependents of Employees of WVU or WVU Medicine
Dependent Education Scholarship
To help even more members of the West Virginia University family realize the benefits of a WVU education, the University is excited to announce the Dependent Education Scholarship, beginning in the fall 2018 semester.
Out-of-state undergraduate dependent children under age 26 may be eligible for up to the difference in in-state and out-of-state university tuition for a maximum of four years.
On the other hand, in-state undergraduate dependent children under age 26 may be eligible for up to $1,650 per academic year ($825 per semester) for a maximum of four years. Also, it provides a maximum lifetime benefit of $6,600.
However, the scholarship is only available to dependent children of WVU, WVU Research Corporation, and University Innovation Corporation benefits-eligible employees who are enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students.
WVU Medicine Employee Dependent Tuition Benefit
Interestingly, to support employees and their dependent children, WVU Medicine is providing a dependent tuition assistance program effective August 1st, 2018. Furthermore, students who are or are not residents of West Virginia are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
9. State Grants and Scholarships
In fact, state grants and scholarships are awarded by individual state higher-education agencies.
Hence, it is important to note they often have academic requirements to maintain eligibility (such as maintaining a minimum overall grade point average, a required amount of earned hours for the semester or academic year, and/or maintaining satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility).
For instance, some of the common state programs received by WVU students include:
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- West Virginia
10. Study Abroad Scholarships
In fact, there are different WVU scholarships available specifically for study abroad:
- ASPIRE Office Scholarships
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
- Eberly Academic Enrichment Program
- Other Funding Opportunities through Global Affairs
- External Scholarships
11. WVU Transfer Scholarships
Ultimately, WVU scholarships are also available to transfer students, both those who are residents of West Virginia and those who are not.
