Washington & Jefferson seeks students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, leadership qualities, and show the potential to contribute substantially to the world in which they live.
The Office of Admission conducts a holistic approach and considers academic performance, curriculum, class rank, standardized test scores, and co-curricular involvement when evaluating students for merit awards. Accepted students are automatically evaluated for merit awards, and qualified students are notified of their merit award within one week of their acceptance to the college.
W&J's merit awards are renewed for eight semesters provided the recipient maintains full-time enrollment status, remains in a degree-seeking program, abides by the regulations governing college life, and makes Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to renew their scholarships, while meeting the GPA requirements for his/her respective award.
Scholarships from the College
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Howard J. Burnett Presidential Scholarship— The minimum Presidential Scholarship is $18,000 per year, for a four-year value of $72,000. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.1 at W&J for renewal.
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W&J Scholars Award— The minimum Scholars Award is $15,000 per year, for a four year value of $60,000. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 at W&J for renewal.
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Dean’s Award— The minimum Dean's Award is $12,000 per year, for a four-year value of $48,000. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at W&J for renewal.
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Alumni Scholarship - Awarded to students who are sons or daughters of Washington & Jefferson College graduates. The Alumni Scholarship is $5000 per year, for a four-year value of $20,000. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at W&J for renewal. If a student is eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and another W&J merit award, the student will receive the larger merit award.
If you demonstrate financial need in excess of this merit award, please be assured that you will receive additional support through grants, loan assistance, and employment opportunities. After we receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we will evaluate your level of financial need and then send you an official aid award letter.
Scholarships from Outside Sources
Outside scholarships vary in value, application requirements, and tenure. We encourage all students to apply for as many outside scholarships as they can. The Office of Financial Aid should be notified of any awards obtained. Please check the financial aid resources page for outside scholarship opportunities. We also have a separate page of outside scholarship resources that are updated on a regular basis.
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Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant Program- This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution. PHEAA administers the Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee) Program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as authorized under the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and amended by the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001. For more information, visit www.pheaa.org.
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Pennsylvania New Economy Technology (NETS) scholarship program - administered by the PHEAA State Grant and Special Programs Agency for residents of PA who are enrolled in an approved science or technology field. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, complete an internship in a field related to their major and agree to work in the state one year for every year that the scholarship was awarded. For application, visit www.pheaa.org.
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The Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship - Scholarship amounts can be up to $5,000 per year with a potential of up to $20,000 over 4 years for the Classes of 2008 through 2011. Eligible students must be graduates of Pittsburgh Public Schools and Charters. Students must have been in an eligible district and residents of Pittsburgh continuously since at least 9th grade. Class of 2009 graduates must earn a minimum of a 2.25 GPA and maintain an 85% attendance record. Class of 2010 graduates must earn a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and maintain a 90% attendance record. Once enrolled in college, students must attend full time and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. FAFSA's must be completed by April 30th to qualify. To apply, visit www.pittsburghpromise.org.
