First-time Freshmen Scholarships
92% of freshmen receive grants or scholarships.
We award scholarships based on criteria like academic merit, financial need, leadership, and service. In-state and out-of-state students, including test-optional applicants, can qualify. And best of all, some scholarships “stack,” which means you can get more than 1.
See what scholarships you could receive.
How to apply
We automatically review your admissions application for merit scholarships.
No Separate Application
Most merit scholarships don’t require a separate application. We automatically review your admissions application to see if you’re eligible.
Other WVU scholarships, such as leadership scholarships, require a separate application.
Deadline: August 1
First-time freshmen must be admitted by August 1 to be considered for merit scholarships. See our merit deadline FAQ for answers to common questions.
Other WVU scholarships may have different deadlines.
Update Your Scores
After you’re admitted, you may submit an updated GPA or test score through August 1.
GPA changes for admitted students require submitting a GPA update request in MyWVU.
To submit new scores, see our test score send options.
Fall 2026 Merit Scholarships
When you apply to WVU, we automatically consider you for merit scholarships. Most Climb Higher Scholarship levels are based on high school GPA alone. The highest level also considers ACT or SAT scores.
Climb Higher Scholarship | In-State Amount | Out-of-State Amount |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 (3.8+ GPA and ACT ≥30 or SAT ≥1360) | $5,000 | $17,000 |
Level 2 (3.8+ GPA) | $3,500 | $14,000 |
Level 3 (3.5-3.79 GPA) | $2,500 | $11,000 |
Level 4 (3.0-3.49 GPA) | $1,500 | $8,000 |
Note: We use a weighted GPA if provided on the high school transcript. WVU rounds high school GPAs to the second decimal point (e.g., 4.195 is rounded up to 4.2 while 4.19 stays at 4.19). Applies to WVU Morgantown. Learn more about financial aid.
You’ve done the hard work.
Now let us reward you, without any extra effort on your part! Our merit scholarships are:
Automatic
When you apply for admission, we check your academic record for scholarship eligibility. It’s that simple. No separate application. No recommendations or essays.
Non-competitive
That means if your GPA/test score qualifies, you get the scholarship. You’re not competing against other applicants.
Renewable
These scholarships renew past your freshman year, as long as you maintain certain requirements.
Other WVU Scholarships
You may also be eligible for other scholarships within the University. Application procedures and deadlines vary by scholarship.
Leadership Scholarships
Requires a separate application.
Leadership Scholarships are offered to students who’ve achieved the highest levels of honor or leadership within certain nationally acclaimed organizations (4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.).
Departmental or College Scholarships
May require a separate application.
Many WVU academic units offer scholarships to students in certain majors. Some are available to first-time freshman students. Others are for returning students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers about WVU first-time freshman scholarships. Need to update your GPA or test score?
- How do I apply for a scholarship?
- Can I update my GPA and test scores after being admitted?
- Will WVU request the final high school transcript from my school counselor?
- My counselor forwarded a mid-term, third quarter, or final transcript. Is my GPA automatically updated if received by August 1?
- How can I receive an exception to the August 1 merit scholarship deadline?
- How much is tuition?
- My school uses a percentage scale. How can I calculate my GPA on a 4.0 scale?
- What if I applied earlier but haven’t been admitted by August 1?
- When is the scholarship application deadline?
- Why does WVU not accept transcripts after August 1 for merit consideration?
More Ways to Save
Sources outside WVU, such as federal and state programs, can help fund your education.
Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is available to all students. WVU’s priority deadline for the FAFSA is March 1, and our FAFSA code is 003827.
Promise Scholarship for West Virginia Residents
The Promise Scholarship is sponsored by the state of West Virginia. To be considered, you must be a West Virginia resident and complete the Promise application and the FAFSA. WVU scholarships usually are offered in addition to Promise. The Promise application deadline is typically March 1.
Reduced Tuition Benefits
Do you live in Ohio or Washington, D.C., or study at Garrett College in Maryland? You may be eligible for reduced tuition.
External Scholarships
You should also investigate other scholarship sources to help fund your education. Use our external scholarship resources to search for scholarships and learn how to send your scholarship checks to WVU.
State Grants and Scholarships
State higher education agencies often have grant or scholarship programs for residents of their state. Learn about grant programs commonly received by WVU students.
Need Help?
We're here to help every step of the way.
Financial Aid
Already admitted to WVU? Our Financial Aid staff can help you with questions about the FAFSA, your aid offer, accepting aid, submitting external scholarships to WVU, etc. Use the WVU Hub to request assistance.
Admissions Counselors
Have questions about submitting your application for admission? Or about your next steps after being admitted? Your WVU admissions counselor is an expert on these topics (and many more, so ask them anything!).
Office of Admissions
Our Admissions staff can assist with any questions or issues you encounter as you apply to WVU. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (except University holidays). Call us at 304-293-2121 or fill out our contact form.