Scholarships

Scholarships are offered to students on the basis of demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, or other achievements. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

WashU merit-based scholarships

WashU offers academic scholarships based solely on academic achievement and an outstanding promise for excellence at the university. Each of the undergraduate schools offer scholarships up to the full cost of tuition. Our Signature Scholar Programs offers multiple full-tuition and partial-tuition scholarship opportunities.

WashU need-based scholarships

WashU offers need-based scholarships based on the information you provide in your financial aid application. If offered, need-based scholarships are listed on your financial aid offer and will be subtracted from what you owe to the university.

Outside scholarships

Outside scholarships are scholarships that are provided by nongovernmental sources outside of WashU. Examples are scholarships given by corporations, foundations, civic or religious organizations, etc.

At WashU, receiving an outside scholarship does not automatically reduce a student’s need-based or merit-based financial aid. These scholarships are generally added to the student’s existing financial aid offer. However, the total amount of aid, including outside scholarships, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance for the academic year.

Federal and state government grants and certain other entitlement grants (i.e., state scholarships and grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, veterans benefits, and employer tuition benefits) may not be subject to this policy. If these items are not included in the student’s original scholarship, they may produce a corresponding reduction in the WashU scholarship since these programs have specific restraints. Student Financial Services also may have to adjust other components of a student’s financial aid offer.

In rare cases, the university is compelled to reduce a student’s WashU scholarship. These infrequent situations include:

• When the student has been given a federal or state grant as part of the financial aid offer and the total of these grants – along with a WashU scholarship and outside scholarships – would exceed that student’s annual cost of attendance.
• Student Financial Services also may have to adjust other components of a student’s financial aid offer, such as Federal Work-Study and federally subsidized loans (if requested), to comply with federal regulations.

Please note: The federal government requires you to report any outside scholarships to Student Financial Services. You may do this by providing our office with a copy of your outside scholarship offer letter or certificate.