Merit Aid & Grants
A Private University Education You Can Afford
Everyone knows that good grades and test scores are the key to getting into the college of your choice. At Western New England University, they can also dramatically lower your bottom-line tuition costs each year you are enrolled.
Western New England University offers merit scholarships and grants, ranging from $15,000 to $29,000 annually or $60,000 to $116,000 over four years for students applying for the Fall 2023 term. These are awarded to full-time freshmen at the time of acceptance into the University. The University also awards need-based scholarships and grants based on financial need and previous academic achievement. There are no separate applications required for these scholarships.
One special opportunity for incoming first-year, full-time students for Fall 2023 includes the FIRST Robotics Scholarship ($3,000). This scholarship is renewable each year students maintain their scholarship’s grade criteria, and it is awarded in addition to Merit Scholarships.
For full-time transfer students entering in the Fall 2023 semester, we award merit scholarships ranging from $16,000 to $22,000 (and an additional $2,000 for Phi Theta Kappa students) annually for the duration of the undergraduate study.
Merit Scholarships Program
Merit scholarships based on high school academic achievement are awarded to full-time freshmen. Awards are automatically renewed if a student is in good academic standing, in full-time status, and is making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
The Merit Scholarships Program is comprised of Presidential Scholars Awards, Provost’s Scholar Awards, Dean’s Scholar Awards, and Trustee’s Scholar Awards. Awards are based on test scores (SAT or ACT) and a recalculated Grade Point Average (GPA). This GPA is calculated by the Admissions Office at the time of acceptance and is based on traditional, college-prep courses. These include grades in English, math, science, language, and selected social science courses. Grades that are not calculated into the GPA include those for music, art, religion, non-programming computer courses, and technical courses, to name a few. Grades for Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college-level courses are given additional weight. Only the SAT scores for the Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math sections will be considered. For the ACT, we will use the Composite score in determining merit eligibility. If a student takes the test multiple times, we will calculate a new total score by using the highest individual scores. If a student takes the SAT and ACT tests, we will consider whichever is most advantageous to the student.
For additional information about aid based on financial need, click here.
Success Grants
Students who are not eligible for an academic scholarship are considered for a Success Grant, which is not based on financial need. The grants are automatically renewed if a student is in good academic standing, full-time status, and is making Satisfactory Academic Progress. The calculator will indicate potential eligibility for these grants.
Transfer Distinction Award
Your associate’s degree from an accredited institution now guarantees you our highest transfer scholarship of $25,000 a year for students entering in spring 2023 and $25,000 a year for students entering in fall 2023 through our Transfer Distinction Award. Students who have completed or will complete an associate’s degree, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better will automatically receive this award. Phi Theta Kappa recipients can receive an additional $2,000 per year.
Transfer Merit Scholarships
Transfer Scholarships are awarded annually to full-time transfer students who enroll with at least 12 transfer credits. The scholarship is automatically renewed if a student is in good academic standing, in full-time status, andand is making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Eligibility for the Merit Transfer Scholarships is normally based only on grades for college-level courses, usually referred to as 100-level (or higher) courses. A composite college GPA will be calculated for students who attended more than one college.
Transfer Merit Scholarships for Fall 2023
Students who have at least a 3.5 GPA will be considered for a $22,000 merit scholarship. Students with a 3.0–3.49 will be considered for a $20,000 merit scholarship and 2.5–2.99 GPA will be considered for an $18,000. Students who are accepted with a GPA below a 2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis for a $16,000 success grant.
Transfer Merit Scholarships for Spring 2023
Students who have at least a 3.76 GPA will be considered for a $20,000 merit scholarship. Students with a 3.46 to 3.75 GPA will be considered for an $18,000 merit scholarship, 3.01 to 3.45 GPA will be considered for a $16,000 merit scholarship and students with a 2.71 to 3.0 will be considered for a $14,000 merit scholarship. Students who are accepted with a GPA below a 2.71 will be considered on a case-by-case basis for a $12,000 success grant.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
We also offer an additional $2,000 to students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa at their community college and have a 2.50 or higher composite GPA from all institutions previously attended.
International Student Scholarship
International Students are eligible for the same merit scholarships as domestic students. Please reference the sections above for more details about these scholarships. The scholarship is automatically renewed if a student is in good academic standing, in full-time status, and is making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Explore Your Additional Aid Options
To finance their educations, students may also qualify for additional aid such as the University’s Sibling Discount, scholarships or grants based on financial need, student employment on campus (work-study), or loans or other financing. Our Financial Aid Counselors are available to discuss these options with students and parents, to help them make informed decisions.
Sibling Discount
A $1,000/year discount is available to each undergraduate sibling attending the University full-time simultaneously.
State Scholarships
Several states award scholarships and grants which can assist students attending Western New England University. These states include Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Student Employment
A limited number of Federal Work-Study jobs, which are based on financial need, are offered as part of the financial aid award.