Student Scholarships


Every year EWU awards approximately $5.5 million in scholarships. Add that to approximately $135 million in financial aid, and a degree from EWU is definitely within your financial reach.

EWU Scholarship Application

Apply for EWU Admission at least 48 hours in advance of your scholarship application to obtain your NET ID. Using your NET ID and password, complete the scholarship application.

***BE PREPARED*** Submit all necessary items to ensure your application is complete and considered for awards.

  • Academic Transcripts: 1) High School Transcript: For 2024 high school graduates and students with fewer than 40 college credits; 2) EWU transcript(s), including running start and 3) all former college transcripts, including running start. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • Essays: Response to 5 essays (limited to 300 words per essay) = 1) reasons for major & plans/future goals; 2) details on volunteer/community service, 3) challenges on your journey to college; 4) plans for funding higher education and 5) why you should be selected for a scholarship.
  • Biology & Education Majors ONLY: Recommendations from at least two individuals who can speak to your academic and/or professional merit (faculty preferred).  Ensure you give your recommenders ample time to complete this requirement before the due date.
  • Biology Majors ONLY: In no more than 600 words, essay detailing your experience with scientific research, teaching, lab experience, clubs/organizations and career goals in the field.
  • Biology Majors, Fisheries Management ONLY: In no more than 600 words, essay detailing your efforts in promoting/supporting conservation and management of fish/fishing waters, along with future challenges for this industry.
  • Business Majors ONLY: Current resume and cover letter.
  • Communication Sciences & Disorders Majors ONLY: In no more than 150 words for each, essay explaining your interest in working in public schools, working with persons with disabilities, and/or on what experiences influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree in this field.
  • Entrepreneurship Majors ONLY: In no more than 150 words for each, essays explaining your passion for entrepreneurship, ideas for a new venture, and entrepreneurship participation while at EWU.

Eligibility requirements for EWU scholarship awards vary depending on criteria specified by the donor. In most cases, recipients must have a minimum 2.80 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Any student meeting the minimum GPA requirement who is either enrolled in a degree-seeking program or has submitted an admissions application to EWU may be considered for an award. This includes undergraduate, post baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral students.

EWU scholarship applications annually become available by November 1. The deadline for the 2024-2025 EWU scholarship application is February 1, 2024.

  • November 1: 2024-25 application available
  • January 15: Apply for 2024-25 Admission to EWU
  • February 1: 2024-25 application deadline
  • Late February: 2024-25 scholarship review begins
  • Late April: 2024-25 notification to those selected for a scholarship

  • Continuing Undergraduate and All Master’s/Doctoral EWU Students: Check with your major department for additional, program specific opportunities and deadlines or visit Major/Program Specific Options.
  • All Students: Frequently visit our on-going list of current scholarship options, information on Washington State scholarships, and links to scholarship websites that have even more opportunities.

Through one simple application process, EWU awards over $9.7 million in scholarships to nearly 1,500 students each school year. We have scholarships for everyone–not just the top GPA or greatest athletic talent! There are scholarships based on your major, hometown, club involvement, community service, life experiences and more!

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New Freshmen Scholarships

Automatic Scholarships: EWU offers automatic awards for Fall 2024 incoming freshmen, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. These four-year renewable scholarships are provided automatically to students who apply for admission by February 1, 2024.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): The WUE scholarship helps incoming freshmen from 16 participating western states and territories. EWU’s WUE Scholarship, worth a tuition savings of nearly $15,000 per year, is awarded automatically to those qualified with priority given to those who apply for admission by February 1. But, don’t worry, even if you don’t qualify for WUE, EWU offers other non-resident tuition scholarships to make EWU affordable.

Freshmen Honors Scholarship: The Honors Scholarship for incoming freshmen provides an additional $1,000 each year to any other EWU scholarships you receive. If you’re offered an Honors Scholarship, you’ll have to participate in the Honors Program to receive the award. Apply for admission by February 1 for priority consideration. For more information, contact University Honors at honors@ewu.edu.

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New Transfer Student Scholarships

2 @ $2200. Sponsored by the Avista Corporation. Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students.

Varies up to $3000. Supports Washington state community college transfer students.

5 @ $3,500. Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students.

7 @ $2500. Supports PTK members transferring directly from their community college to EWU with no gap in enrollment.

20 @ $2000. Supports high achieving community college transfer students with a complete AA degree.

35 @ $2000. Supports high achieving community college transfer students who choose to participate in EWU University Honors. Honors provides enhanced educational opportunities to superior students and special teaching opportunities to outstanding faculty.

EWU offers scholarships for new transfer students.  To be considered for these competitive awards, complete the EWU Scholarship Application by February 1, 2024.

 

Department & Program Scholarships

Many academic departments offer scholarship opportunities (a few links are provided below). Some utilize the EWU General Scholarships Application process and timeline and some require a separate application. Please contact your academic department for other possibilities.

Accounting ScholarshipsFilm Scholarships
Biology ScholarshipsGeology Scholarships
Business ScholarshipsMathematics Scholarships
Computer Science ScholarshipsMusic Scholarships
Education Department ScholarshipsPlanning Scholarships
English Scholarships

The mission of the Avista Utilities’ Avista Scholars Program is to promote excellence in the fields of math, science, technology and engineering such that scholars become innovators, problem solvers and diverse talented employees of our future. The Avista Scholars Program will be used to provide scholarships to students who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, innovation, community service, leadership, and project management experience in three fields of study: Electrical Engineering with Power Emphasis, Management Information Systems and Computer Information Systems.  These scholarships are available to college juniors and seniors, with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, who demonstrate strong leadership ability both personally and professionally.  To be considered, complete the EWU General Scholarship Application by the annual deadline.

The ROTC program is an on-campus leadership development program that offers several scholarship options including a four, three, and two-year full-tuition scholarships or a significant flat-rate annual room and board scholarship option. Scholarship recipients also receive a tax-free monthly living expense stipend and an additional stipend for books. Visit the EWU Army ROTC – Eastern Washington University page for more information or contact the Military Science Department directly at rotc@ewu.edu or 509-359-6110.

Eastern is an NCAA Division I university and member of the Big Sky Athletic Conference. Students interested in an athletic based scholarship must have taken an SAT or ACT test and registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center meeting all standards for initial eligibility. Contact the coach for interest in one of the following sports: men’s football; women’s volleyball; men’s and women’s track, field and cross country; men’s and women’s basketball; women’s soccer; men’s and women’s tennis; and women’s golf. To find out more, visit Eastern Athletics or call 509.359.2463 or 866.4.GOEAGLES.

More Scholarship Information

Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will arise. The following is a current list of scholarships that require a separate application for consideration.  Be sure to apply by the posted deadlines.

  • Believe In Me – First generation marginalized students in Washington, Northern Idaho, and Oregon who demonstrate leadership, grit and perseverance on the pathways towards education success. (Deadline: March 1, 2024)
  • Citizens Bank – To honor the dedication of students and families pursuing higher learning. (Deadline: June 30, 2024)
  • Doctors Network Heroes Scholarship Foundation – Multiple scholarships supporting heroes in their education. (Deadline: June 15, 2024)
  • Global Scholarships – For International students (students studying in a country where they are not a citizen or permanent resident). (Deadline: May 31, 2024)
  • Sage IT – Article writing contest answering questions regarding technology and closing the career gaps. (Deadline: March 21, 2024)
  • Sinclair Broadcast Group – For sophomores and juniors from diverse backgrounds complete their education and pursue careers in broadcast journalism, digital storytelling and marketing. (Deadline: April 30, 2024)
  • The Bold Foundation – Multiple scholarship opportunities with rotating deadlines.
  • Vivian Winston Scholarship – Female residents of Spokane County who have a dependent child, or children requiring childcare during the 2024-2025 school year while pursuing higher education. (Deadline: Jan 31, 2024)
  • Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families – National program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. (Deadline: April 30, 2024)
  • WWIN Star Scholars – For women transforming their futures by pursuing higher education in Washington State. (Deadline: April 18, 2024)

8 Important Scholarship Application Tips!

  1. Stay Organized! Missing deadlines just by one day could affect your application from being reviewed.
  2. Give yourself plenty of time! Gathering everything you need takes time, and you don’t want your application to look sloppy or incomplete.
  3. Don’t ignore small awards. Small scholarship awards can add up to a big amount! Plus, the larger the award, the more competition you will face.
  4. Think ahead! Getting letters of recommendations takes time, getting them early so you have them on hand won’t hurt. These recommendations should include your strengths and the ways you overcome your weaknesses.
  5. Write a GREAT essay. Think carefully about the question being asked and use this opportunity to tell the selection committee things about you not shown elsewhere in the application. Get help with editing for grammar and spelling, but do your own writing—the committee wants to hear from you personally. Current EWU students can work with the EWU Writers’ Center on scholarship essays and other projects.
  6. Tell them ALL about you! Include things about yourself the application hasn’t already touched base with. This is your time to brag about all you’ve accomplished, awards, activities and talents.
  7. Try, try again! Keep trying even if you don’t win a scholarship right away. Save copies of every application you complete so you don’t have to start from scratch each time.
  8. NEVER pay for a scholarship search! Organizations which charge for the information, or charge a fee to apply for a scholarship, are likely a scam and should be avoided.

Find Private Scholarships!

Ask about scholarship opportunities any place where you have a connection such as clubs, societies, fraternal organizations, your places of worship, your/your parents employers and businesses big and small.  Also, be sure you review and search the options on the Scholarship Information Websites list below.

 Managing Your Private Scholarships!

  • What happens? All private scholarships received by the student must be reported to EWU’s Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. Following state and Federal rules, it may be necessary to adjust your current financial aid award to account for receipt of these funds. If an adjustment is required, we will reduce student loans and/or work study first to ensure you retain the best financial aid package possible.
  • When & Where are funds sent? Ask your donor to send your private scholarship funds at least one month prior to school (or the term) starting. This will ensure the funds will be available to you on the first day of classes. Private scholarship checks may be mailed to: EWU Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, 333 Eagle LN 102 Sutton Hall, Cheney, WA, 99004. Be sure your donor indicates your name and EWU ID number or date of birth on the check.
  • How do I get the funds? Your private scholarship awards, just like your other financial aid sources, will be evenly split over the school year giving you one-third of the funds each term. If you meet all eligibility requirements, your funds are applied to your student account the week before classes start, and any funds left after your EWU bills are paid will be released to you (by direct deposit or mailed out check) on the first day of classes.

Scholarships are a great way to help manage college costs, but it can be hard to know where to begin. Start your search by using the list of sites below. Notice: Lending institutions sponsor some scholarship sites, so you may receive promotional mailings about educational loan options after you conduct your scholarship search.

Washington Student Achievement Council

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) administers several state scholarship programs.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Washington STEM supports low- and middle-income students pursuing eligible high-demand majors in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care and encourages recipients to work in Washington state once they complete their degrees. For information or application details visit the WSOS website.

College Success Foundation

The College Success Foundation administers several scholarship programs. For information or application details for any of the following programs, visit the College Success Foundation website.

  • College Bound Scholarship
  • Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth
  • Leadership 1000 Scholarship