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

  1. Apply for admission at EWU if you aren’t already an EWU student. If you are, skip to step 3
  2. Wait at least 48 hours for us to create a Username for you and email it to you
  3. Use your Username to complete the scholarship application
  4. Fill out and submit your FAFSA application

Be prepared! Here are a few things you’ll need to include in your scholarship application:

  • Academic Transcripts:
    • High school transcript, if you’re graduating from high school in 2025 or if you have fewer than 40 college credits
    • EWU transcript(s) if you’ve ever attended EWU, including for Running Start
    • Transcripts for any other colleges you’ve ever attended, including for Running Start
    • Unofficial transcripts are ok.
  • Essays: Five essay responses, limited to 300 words per essay
    • Why you’ve chosen your major and your plans/future goals
    • Details about your volunteer/community service
    • Challenges on your journey to college
    • How you plan to pay for college
    • Why you should be chosen for a scholarship
  • Materials for Specific Majors: You only need these materials if you’re going to be in one of these majors:
    • Biology & Education: Recommendations from at least two individuals who can speak to your academic and/or professional merit (faculty preferred). Try to give your recommenders at least two weeks to write their letters.
    • Biology: An essay detailing your experience with scientific research, teaching, lab experience, clubs/organizations and career goals in the field. Word Limit: 600.
    • Biology, Fisheries Management: An essay describing how you’ve promoted/supported conservation and management of fish/fishing waters, along with future challenges for this industry. Word Limit: 600.
    • Business: Current resume and cover letter.
    • Communication Sciences & Disorders: If applicable,
      • Essay explaining your interest in working in public schools
      • Essay explaining your interest in working with persons with disabilities
      • Essay describing what experiences influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree in this field
      • Word Limit: 150 per essay.
    • Entrepreneurship: If applicable,
      • Essay explaining your passion for entrepreneurship
      • Essay describing your ideas for a new business
      • Essay describing your entrepreneurship participation while at EWU
      • Word Limit: 150 per essay

You should!

You can be considered for a scholarship if you meet the minimum GPA requirement (usually 2.80) and have submitted an admissions application to EWU or if you are already enrolled in an EWU bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or other post-baccalaureate program.

Apply for 2025-26 scholarships between November 1, 2024 and February 1, 2025

  • Scholarship Application Opens: November 1
  • EWU Priority Admissions Deadline: January 15
  • Scholarship Application Deadline: February 1
  • Scholarship Review Begins: Late February
  • Scholarship Notifications Go Out: Late April

  • Don’t miss deadlines! Your application might be turned down for being even one day late. Make a schedule and stick to it.
  • Give yourself enough time to gather your application materials and write your essays. Rushed applications look sloppy. If you leave anything out, your application might not be considered.
  • Don’t ignore small scholarships. They can add up fast, and you might qualify for a lot of them.
  • Ask for letters of recommendation at least two weeks before application deadlines. Choose people who can speak to your strengths and ability to overcome weaknesses. (Family members are generally a no)
  • Write a great essay. Answer the questions clearly to tell the selection committee why you should get the scholarship. Get help with spelling and punctuation, but do your own writing. If you’re in high school, a counselor or your English teacher can help proofread your essays. If you’re already an EWU student, you can work with the EWU Writers’ Center.
  • Write about recognition and awards you’ve received. Emphasize activities that show your talent/passions and your ability to lead, take initiative, persist through adversity, and care for your community. Don’t underestimate yourself–employment and family responsibilities can say a lot about you.
  • Keep trying even if you don’t get a scholarship right away. Save copies of every application you complete so you don’t have to start from scratch each time.
  • 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.

  • Check with your major department for additional, program specific opportunities and deadlines or visit Major/Program Specific Options.
  • Visit our site often to view our list of current scholarship options and links to outside scholarship websites for even more opportunities.

EWU gives over $9.7 million in scholarships to nearly 1,500 students each year through one single application. We have scholarships for everyone–not just the top GPA or greatest athletic talent! There are scholarships based on your major, hometown, club involvement, community service, life experiences and more!

Our commitment to access is part of our identity as the region’s polytechnic university. Nearly 78% of EWU undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.

Apply Now!

New Freshmen Scholarships

Hey, new freshmen! In addition to scholarships through the general scholarship application, when up apply for EWU admission, you are also considered for these awards:

Automatic Scholarships: EWU offers automatic awards for incoming Washington resident freshmen, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. These four-year renewable scholarships are provided automatically to students who apply for admission by February 1, 2025.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): The WUE scholarship helps incoming freshmen from 16 participating western states and territories.* EWU’s WUE Scholarship is worth tuition savings of nearly $15,000 per year. We automatically award the WUE Scholarships to qualified students. Apply for admission by February 1 for priority consideration. 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 $1,000 each year on top of 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.

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*WUE states and territories include: AK, AS, AZ, CA, CNMI, CO, FSM, GU, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, RMI, OR, Palau, SD, UT, WA, WY. 

New Transfer Student Scholarships

2 @ $2,200. Sponsored by the Avista Corporation. Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students.

Varies up to $3,000. Supports Washington state community college transfer students.

5 @ $3,500. Supports Spokane/Spokane Falls Community College transfer students.

7 @ $2,500. Supports PTK members transferring directly from their community college to EWU with no gap in enrollment.

20 @ $2,000. Supports high achieving community college transfer students with a complete AA degree.

35 @ $2,000. 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.

Hey, new transfers! When you fill out the general scholarship application, some of the scholarships you might be considered for include:

Department & Program Scholarships

Many academic departments offer scholarship opportunities like the ones below. Some utilize the EWU General Scholarships Application process and timeline while others require a separate application. Please contact your academic department for other possibilities.

Accounting ScholarshipsFilm Scholarships
Biology ScholarshipsGeology Scholarships
Business ScholarshipsMathematics Scholarships
Computer Science ScholarshipsMusic Scholarships
Education Department ScholarshipsPlanning Scholarships
English 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 at Eastern Washington University provides leadership development and various scholarship options, including full-tuition scholarships for four, three, or two years, or an annual flat-rate room and board scholarship. Recipients also get a tax-free monthly stipend for living expenses and an extra stipend for books. For more details, visit the EWU Army ROTC page or contact the Military Science Department at rotc@ewu.edu or 509.359.6110.

Eastern is an NCAA Division I university and member of the Big Sky Athletic Conference. To qualify for an athletic scholarship, you must take an SAT or ACT test and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Contact an EWU coach if you’re in one of the following sports: men’s football; women’s volleyball; track, field and cross country; basketball; tennis; women’s soccer; or 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 that require a separate application for consideration. Be sure to apply by the posted deadlines.

Ask about scholarship opportunities any place where you have a connection such as clubs, societies, fraternal organizations, your places of worship, businesses, and your/your parents’ employer. Be sure you also review and search the options on the Scholarship Information Websites list below.

Managing Your Private Scholarships!
  • What happens? You must report any private scholarships you receive to the EWU Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. Because we follow state and federal rules, we may need 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 make sure you keep the best financial aid package possible.
  • When and 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 way, 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, 333 Eagle LN 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 will be evenly split over the school year, just like any other financial aid. This means you’ll receive a portion of the funds each term. If you meet all eligibility requirements, your funds are applied to your student account the week before classes start. Any funds left over after your EWU bills are paid will be sent to you on the first day of classes via direct deposit or a mailed check.

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.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Washington STEM supports low- and middle-income students majoring in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care. Recipients are encouraged to work in Washington state when they earn their degrees. More information: WSOS website

College Success Foundation

The College Success Foundation administers several scholarship programs:

  • College Bound Scholarship
  • Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth
  • Leadership 1000 Scholarship

More information: College Success Foundation website