Navigating Scholarship Universe at Weber State University

Securing funding for higher education is a significant concern for many students. Weber State University (WSU) offers a comprehensive system called Scholarship Universe to help students find and apply for scholarships and waivers. Scholarships, unlike student loans, do not require repayment, making them a valuable resource for financing education. WSU scholarships are awarded based on merit and need.

Understanding Scholarship Universe

Scholarship Universe is a platform that connects students with both Weber State University scholarships and external, nationwide scholarship opportunities. This tool allows students to find scholarships that align with their unique qualifications and circumstances. The Scholarship Universe application opens for the 2026-2027 school year in October. By completing a profile on Scholarship Universe, students are matched with scholarships for which they are qualified. It's important to note that applying for some scholarships may require additional effort, such as writing an essay.

Key Dates:

Priority completion for Scholarship Universe Applications: February.
Priority deadline for acceptance of scholarships: July 1.

Types of Scholarships and Waivers at WSU

Weber State offers a variety of scholarships and waivers, catering to different student profiles. These can be broadly categorized as:

Academic Scholarships

These scholarships are primarily merit-based.

Incoming Freshmen: Incoming freshmen students are automatically considered for 4-year academic scholarships during their senior year of high school. Academic scholarships for high school graduates are based on a resident scholarship index score, which is a calculation of your high school cumulative GPA and your highest ACT/SAT composite score.
Transfer Students: Academic scholarships for transfer students will be determined by the date of admission to the university. Transfer scholarships are competitive and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Non-Resident Students: Academic scholarships for high school graduates are based on a nonresident scholarship index score.

Need-Based Scholarships

These scholarships take into account the student's financial situation, as determined by the FAFSA.

This scholarship is awarded to students with financial need, as determined by their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). To ensure federal aid is available for the fall semester, the FAFSA must be completed by April 1 to guarantee processing by the start of the fall semester. However, scholarship nominations are accepted from Feb. 1 to May 1.

Activity-Based Scholarships and Waivers

These are awarded based on participation in specific activities or programs. For a complete list of available activity scholarships, visit Wildcat Activity Scholarships. Activity waivers are not academic and can be awarded at any time. They are often awarded for one year, but sometimes just a semester.

Waivers

It's important to understand the distinction between scholarships and waivers. Waivers, often called scholarships, only waive tuition and are similar to a store discount. They reduce the cost of tuition, but they can never exceed the total amount of tuition. Once the full amount of tuition is waived, the discount reaches 100%, meaning the tuition is fully covered. Four-year, academic waivers are awarded when a student is admitted directly out of high school.

Specific Scholarship Programs

Native American Scholarships: These scholarships are limited to 24 per year for either students new to Weber State or transfer. Awards will be determined on a first come basis, according to the date the Scholarship Universe Application is completed. Recipients must be a Utah resident or working towards Utah residency reclassification.
Utah Sterling Scholar Competition: This scholarship is awarded to the winners of the Utah Sterling Scholar Competition. High school Sterling Scholar winners will be awarded $1,000 ($500 fall/spring).
Propel Scholarship: Students awarded a Propel Scholarship complete a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics education endorsement degree within two years of being awarded the scholarship. The Propel Scholarship covers the full cost of attendance for those two years.

Application Process and Important Considerations

Create a Scholarship Universe Profile: This one application accesses all on-campus scholarships and thousands of national scholarships! It takes 30 minutes minimum and up to hours to set up an account. You determine how little or how much you share. This tool should be updated every year to ensure you match the scholarships for which you are eligible and want to be considered.
Complete the FAFSA: To ensure federal aid is available for the fall semester, the FAFSA must be completed by April 1 to guarantee processing by the start of the fall semester. However, scholarship nominations are accepted from Feb. 1 to May 1. FAFSA data is also used to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships. Even though you may not qualify for a Pell Grant you still may qualify for need-based scholarships in Scholarship Universe.
Meet Priority Deadlines:
- Priority date to submit the admissions application, high school transcripts and test scores to the Admissions Office: Feb.
- Priority date to be admitted to Weber State and submit official transcripts (with NO in-progress coursework) to the Admissions Office: Feb.
- Priority completion for Scholarship Universe Applications: Feb.
Monitor Scholarship Universe: Check your Scholarship Universe account. If you receive a scholarship, you must accept it in Scholarship Universe. Priority deadline for acceptance is July 1. You may also need to write a thank you letter.
First-Come, First-Served Basis: Scholarship applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Financial Aid Beyond Scholarships

While scholarships are a crucial part of financial aid, it's important to understand the other options available.

Pell Grants: You complete FAFSA to get Pell Grant money, student loans, and work-study funding. Pell Grants are need-based free federal money that you do not need to repay, except under certain circumstances.
Work-Study: Work-study is a job and you earn wages. It is required by some employers (on and off campus) because the program helps pay for some of your salary.
Student Loans: Unlike scholarships and grants, student loans must be repaid with interest.

Scholarships for Non-Resident Students

WSU offers specific scholarships and waivers for non-resident students.

Academic Scholarships: Academic scholarships for high school graduates are based on a nonresident scholarship index score. This four-year (8 semester) award of $9,000 ($4,500 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $36,000. This four-year (8 semester) award of $8,000 ($4,000 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $32,000. This four-year (8 semester) award of $7,500 ($3,750 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $30,000.
Transfer Scholarships: This three-year (6 semester) award of $8,000 ($4,000 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $24,000. This three-year (6 semester) award of $7,500 ($3,750 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $22,500. This three-year (6 semester) award of $4,500 ($2,250 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $13,500. This three-year (6 semester) award of $3,500 ($1,750 per semester) is applied to out-of-state tuition with a total value of $10,500.
Non-Resident Waivers: This nonresident waiver pays the “nonresident” portion of tuition for a full-time student (12-18 credits). It is available for 1 year (Fall and Spring semesters only). Non-resident students living within 100 highway miles of WSU are eligible to apply for this tuition reduction. For undergraduate students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Raise.me: Rather than waiting until being accepted to Weber State University, you can earn scholarships from us now. You may receive an even larger financial aid package based on your complete application for admission, but with Raise.me, you’ll know ahead of time at least how much financial aid you can depend on.
College of Science Scholarships: The College of Science provides a variety of scholarships on a competitive basis for qualifying students.
Undergraduate Research Awards: The Weber State University College of Science is pleased to solicit proposals for Undergraduate Research Awards for the Frantz Family Research Endowment, the Jim S. Bateman Undergraduate Research Fund, the Thompson Science Research Program, and the Pope M. and Grace C. Burkhart Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Tips for Maximizing Scholarship Opportunities

Complete the Scholarship Universe profile thoroughly and honestly. The more information you provide, the better the system can match you with relevant scholarships.
Meet all deadlines. Pay close attention to priority dates and application deadlines to ensure you are considered for all eligible scholarships.
Tailor your applications. Some scholarships may require essays or additional materials. Take the time to craft compelling and personalized responses.
Don't be afraid to apply for a wide range of scholarships. Even if you don't think you're a perfect fit, it's worth applying if you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Update your profile regularly. Scholarship opportunities can change, so it's important to keep your profile up-to-date.

The Importance of Giving Back

The College of Science faculty, staff, and scholarship recipients are grateful to those who donate to the success of students pursuing an education in science and mathematics. Dr. O. Dr. O. Dr. Eugene M. George Gregory, M.D. Harold W. & Helen H. Jim S. Jim S. Leon J. & Frances N. Michael P. NaDene B. Rulon F. & Margaret C. Thomas F. & Nancy L.

Read also: Crafting Perfect Thank You Notes

Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details

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