Available Grants & Academic Scholarships

NOTE: When you complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, you are applying for all federal, state and university grants and loans offered at WCSU.

*Post-Baccalaureate students (those pursuing a second bachelor’s degree or a post-bachelor’s certificate) are not eligible to receive undergraduate need-based aid. You may, however, be eligible for private scholarships, Federal Direct Loans, private education loans, and non-federal work study student employment opportunities on campus.

Federal Pell Grant (Pell)

The Pell Grant was established as a basic access program for students from low and middle income families. To qualify for a Pell Grant, the student must:

Be matriculated.
Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible program as an undergraduate student at the institution.
Meet one of the following citizenship criteria:
1. Be a U.S. citizen.
2. Be a permanent resident of the U.S.; or
3. Provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that he/she is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose, with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; or
4. Be a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or the Northern Mariana Islands.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress according to the standards and practices of the institution.
Not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, Supplement Grant or State Student Incentive received to meet the cost of attending the institution;
Not be in default on any National Defense/Direct Student Loan (also known as Perkins Loan), Stafford Student Loan, or Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) received to meet the cost of attending the institution.
Not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance during the period covered by this grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to students pursuing a first baccalaureate degree. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per academic year. The conditions to be met in order to qualify for a supplemental grant are the same as those listed under Pell Grant above.

These funds are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need as determined by the FAFSA. As such, priority is given to students with full-time enrollment.

Roberta B. Willis Scholarship

Awarded to CT residents who attend Western Connecticut State University as a full time student. Recipient must demonstrate financial need and have a federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) within the allowable range.

Eligibility formula: Tuition & Fees (T&F) + $1,200 Books/Supplies (B/S) – Pell Grant – Tuition/Fees gift aid = Willis Eligibility

(up to $4,500 need-based annual award amount for full-time students only)

Connecticut State University Grant Aid (CSUG)

Public Act 76-181 authorizes the Board of Trustees for the State University to allocate funds to be given as grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled as matriculated students in a degree granting program. WCSU limits the awarding of these funds to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students pursuing a second undergraduate or a graduate degree are ineligible.

These funds are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need as determined by the FAFSA. As such, priority is given to students with full-time enrollment.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships awarded for and prior to Spring 2024 remain eligible for original amounts awarded for duration of eligibility period. There is no appeal to be considered for the new awarding structure.

Effective 2024-2025, for Incoming Students, the Academic Scholarship criteria and awarding structure have been updated to the awards listed below.

WCSU offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to newly admitted first-time, full-time Freshman and Transfers who apply and are accepted by February 1. Scholarship offers are made through the admission process in accordance with the requirements and criteria for each scholarship.

These scholarship offers are renewable for up to a maximum of 8 full-time, consecutive semesters for first-time freshman (number of eligible semesters for Transfers may vary) and are offered in addition to other need and non-need based aid made available through the Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment. No separate application is required for consideration of merit-scholarships, although a FAFSA/AACTUS is required for each academic year.

Incoming residential students awarded any of the listed below merit-based scholarships are also eligible for a Wolves Den Housing Scholarship up to $6,000 ($1,500 annually), on-campus residency is required.

Note: Eligible students may not receive more than one of the listed merit-based scholarships. These funds, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance may not exceed direct, university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees, Housing & Food (for campus residency) and an allowable and established allocation of books as listed in the annual Cost of Attendance budget. Selections and scholarship offer are contingent upon availability of funding.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to the annual base in-state tuition and fees. (Does not include program specific fees, NEBE rate fee or other miscellaneous fees). Participation in the WCSU Kathwari Honors Program is required. Students must maintain a 3.2 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term and have active participation in the Kathwari Honors Program to remain eligible.

Wolves Merit Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $24,000 ($6,000 annually). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term to remain eligible.

Connecticut State University (CSU) Trustee Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $16,000 ($4,000 annually). Recipients of this scholarship are invited to apply to participate in the Kathwari Honors Program. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term to remain eligible.

Wolves Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $16,000 ($4,000 annually). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term.

Honors Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $8,000 ($2,000 annually). Recipients of this scholarship are invited to apply to participate in the Kathwari Honors Program. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term.

Wolves Academic Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $8,000 ($2,000 annually). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term.

Wolves Achievement Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $4,000 ($1,000 annually). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term.

Wolves Distinction Scholarship

Scholarship amounts up to $2,000 ($500 annually). Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass and complete a minimum of 12 credits per term.

Academic Scholarship Appeal

The Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment notifies students of failure to meet requirements of the Academic Scholarships. Students have the right to submit an appeal request within 10 business days of notification. Late and/or incomplete requests will not be considered. The appeal pertains only to the monetary scholarship, not participation in the Honors Program.

*Students can only appeal once for the duration of their academic career at WCSU and only in extenuating circumstances.

Scholarship Reconsiderations

If a student would like to request a scholarship reconsideration for merit scholarships, they must submit a Scholarship Appeals Request Form.

Senior year grades
FAFSA or AACTUS to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment
Scholarship awards from other colleges/universities (optional)

Once submitted, this information will be provided to the Scholarship Committee for review. Scholarship reconsideration requests will not be reviewed until April 2024.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship reconsideration is May 1, 2024.

Updated: 04/03/2025