PennWest University is committed to helping students finance their education through
scholarship and grant opportunities. In fact, we award more than $20.5 million each
year through several academic, athletic, and other internal scholarships and grants.
PennWest automatically considers new in-person and hybrid students for merit scholarships
within about two weeks of their admission (no additional application is required).
Plus, incoming and current PennWest students can complete the General Scholarship
Application each year to apply for endowed scholarships, which can be stacked with
merit awards.
Eligible new full-time, campus-based undergraduate first-year and transfer students
are automatically considered for a PennWest merit scholarship when admitted.No separate scholarship application is required.
Merit scholarships are awarded to students in campus-based programs, which are traditional,
in-person programs and hybrid programs that blend in-person and online learning. Students
enrolled in fully online programs and students who have already earned a bachelor's
degree are not eligible.
Merit scholarships are determined using the academic credentials available when your
application is reviewed and admission decision made. Your award does not increase
or decrease if your GPA changes afterward.
Once enrolled, you must continue to meet the scholarship renewal requirements outlined
below.
PennWest Premier Scholarship
New domestic, full-time, campus-based undergraduate first-year and transfer students.
GPA
2.50-2.99
3.00-3.49
3.50-3.89
3.90+
First-Year Students
$1,000/year
$2,000/year
$3,000/year
$4,000/year
Transfer Students
$1,000/year
$1,500/year
$2,000/year
$2,000/year
PennWest International Student Scholarship
New international, full-time, campus-based first-year and transfer students.
GPA
2.50-2.99
3.00-3.49
3.50-3.89
3.90+
First-Year Students
$1,000/year
$2,000/year
$3,000/year
$4,000/year
Transfer Students
$1,000/year
$1,500/year
$2,000/year
$2,000/year
$3,000 PennWest Housing Award
New domestic and international, full-time, campus-based first-year and transfer students
with a 2.0 or higher GPA receive a $3,000 award toward eligible PennWest housing,
renewable for up to two consecutive years or four consecutive semesters.
$1,000 Honors Program Award
New PennWest Honors Program students who accept their seat in the program may receive
a one-time, non-renewable $1,000 award for their first academic year at PennWest.
Honors awards are limited. For full consideration, students should accept their seats
by February 1.
New entering freshmen admitted to the Honors Program may apply for additional Honors
Program renewable merit and one-time housing scholarships through the PennWest General
Scholarship Application. Learn more about Honors.
Valid during a student’s first undergraduate degree program, which must be in-person
or hybrid. Students enrolled in fully online programs and students who have already
earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible.
Maintain full-time enrollment status (minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year).
Term Limits:
PennWest Premier and International Student: Awarded for up to eight (8) consecutive academic semesters for first-year bachelor’s
degree students or four (4) consecutive academic semesters for associate’s degree
and/or new transfer students from the original enrollment term.
PennWest Housing Award: Awarded for up to four (4) consecutive academic semesters.
PennWest Honors Program Award: Awarded for one academic year only.
Award Amounts:
Awarded half the annual amount in the fall term and the other half in the spring term.
If a student is graduating in the fall term, they receive only half the annual amount
for the final term. If a student begins in the spring term, they receive only half
the annual amount that term.
Award amounts may be adjusted in the event of an ‘over award’ that exceeds your cost
of attendance.
PennWest Housing Award: Students are required to live on campus and have a meal plan. Not applicable to Vulcan
Villages at the PennWest California campus.
Eligible new full-time, campus-based undergraduate first-year and transfer students
may be eligible for additional housing awards. These are not applicable to students
enrolled in fully online programs, students who have already earned a bachelor's degree,
athletes, and residents of Vulcan Village. The following housing awards are split
equally between fall and spring semesters, are automatically awarded when a student
meets the criteria, and cannot exceed a student’s housing costs.
$500 Visit Housing Credit
New first-year and transfer students who attend a Daily Campus Visit, Twilight Tour
or Spotlight Visit with Admissions between July 1, 2026, and August 20, 2027, enroll
for the 2027-2028 academic year, and live in university housing may receive a one-time,
non-renewable $500 credit toward their PennWest housing costs during their first academic
year at PennWest. Students may only earn one of these credits, regardless of the number
of campus visits they attend. Schedule your visit.
$1,000 Transfer Visit Housing Credit
New transfer students who attend any Admissions campus visit, enroll for 2027-2028,
and live in university housing may receive a one-time, non-renewable $1,000 credit
toward their PennWest housing costs during their first academic year at PennWest.
Schedule your visit.
$500 International Student Referral Housing Credit
New admitted international students can earn a one-time, non-renewable $500 PennWest
housing credit for themselves and each qualifying net-new international student they
refer who enrolls at PennWest and lives in eligible PennWest housing, up to four referrals
for a maximum of $2,000. Contact admissions to make a referral at admissions@pennwest.edu.
$1,000 First Chance Trust Housing Credit
Previously enrolled PennWest Dual Enrollment students from participating PA First
Chance Trust Fund partner school districts who enroll at PennWest as degree-seeking,
full-time, campus-based first-year students for 2027-2028 academic year will receive
a $1,000 housing credit, which is renewable for up to four (4) consecutive semesters.
General Scholarship Application - Endowed Scholarships
PennWest offers its students a wide variety of permanently endowed scholarships through
the General Scholarship Application, available November 25 for new incoming students
and February 1 for returning students. Each scholarship has its own selection of criteria,
award amounts, and availability, which can vary from year to year. Application/nomination
requirements may also vary. While there are numerous scholarships available, students
are also encouraged to apply for federal aid through the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA). Families can expect most scholarship decisions to be awarded
by June 1.