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, click the Apply Now! button below to complete your 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 2019 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 = 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 Majors ONLY: Recommendations from at least two faculty members.  Ensure you give your recommender ample time to complete this requirement before the due date.
  • Biology Majors ONLY: Essay detailing your experience with scientific research, teaching, lab experience, clubs/organizations and career goals in the field.
  • Business Majors ONLY: Current resume and cover letter.
  • Communication Disorders Majors ONLY: Essay (as applicable) explaining your interest in working in public schools or with persons with disabilities.  Also, essay on what experiences influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree.

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 and are due the following February 1.  The deadline for the 2019-2020 EWU scholarship application is February 1, 2019.

  • November 1: 2019-20 application available
  • January 15: Apply for 2019-20 Admission to EWU
  • February 1: 2019-20 application deadline
  • mid February: 2019-20 scholarship review begins
  • April: 2019-20 notification to those selected for a scholarship

Because EWU strives to recognize and reward all deserving students, only one general university scholarship will be awarded per qualifying student.

  • 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 $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,500 students each school year. There are scholarships based on major, hometown, community service and more!

Apply Now!

New Freshmen Scholarships

 

Automatic Scholarships: EWU offers automatic awards for Fall 2019 incoming freshmen, ranging from $1,000 to $14,000.These four-year renewable scholarships are provided automatically to students who apply for admission by February 1, 2019.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): The WUE scholarship helps incoming freshmen from 16 participating western states and territories. WUE, worth approximately $14,000 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.

Apply Now!

New Transfer Student Scholarships

5 @ $3000.  Sponsored by Associated Industries and is co-funded in partnership with Moda Health Plan, Inc. (Moda Health) and Wells Fargo Insurance Services.  Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students with a passion for learning and a bright future in one of four areas: Business, Technology, Manufacturing Technology and Health Sciences.

2 @ $2000.  Sponsored by the Avista Corporation. Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students.

Varies up to $1000.  Supports Washington state 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.

20 @ $3500.  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, 2019.

Transfer Eagle (for students from WUE States): 

The Transfer Eagle scholarship helps incoming transfer students from 16 participating western states and territories. The Transfer Eagles, worth $11,750, is awarded automatically to those qualified with priority given to those who apply for admission by February 1.

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.

Biology Scholarships Film Scholarships
Accounting Scholarships Geology Scholarships
Chicano Education Program Scholarships History Scholarships
Computer Science Scholarships Mathematics Scholarships
English Scholarships Planning 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 offers several scholarships: four-year, three and two-year scholarships for eligible students. Every scholarship provides full tuition and fees along with funding for books, supplies and equipment. Scholarship winners also receive a tax free monthly stipend. To qualify, students must have a 19 ACT score or 1050 SAT total score and a 2.5 or higher GPA. To find out more, visit Military Science or call 509.359.2386.

Eastern is a 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 which require a separate application for consideration.  Be sure to apply by the posted deadlines.

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, 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. For information and application details on any of the following programs, visit Ready Set Grad.

  • American Indian Endowed Scholarship
  • College Bound Scholarship
  • Passport to College Promise Scholarship
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