Scholarship Opportunities
When you apply to Washington College, you are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship up to $38,000. Applying before December 1st makes you eligible for consideration for additional merit awards, including full-tuition scholarships. Students who apply by December 1st, are admitted, and complete an official visit through the Admissions Office by March 1st during their senior year will receive a one-time $2,000 Visit Grant applied toward tuition.
Types of Scholarships
First-year students admitted to Washington College are eligible to apply for Honors Fellowships. Priority consideration for scholarships is given to students who apply to WC by December 1st.
Honors Fellowships are interest-based programs that offer a variety of opportunities throughout the recipient's time at Washington College.
All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships upon submitting their application. Admitted students who apply before December 1st can receive up to $43,000. Admitted students who apply after December 1st can receive up to $38,000. Scholarships are renewable annually and reward academic excellence, regardless of financial need.
All transfer students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships up to $38,000, renewable annually, upon submitting their application.
Washington College accepts Tuition Exchange applications each year from member institutions under the guidelines of the Tuition Exchange organization. Supporting the educational opportunities of the children of colleagues in higher education is important to us, and we are pleased to be a part of this service.
The Tuition Exchange scholarship covers the total cost of tuition to WC for up to 4 years of undergraduate education. This scholarship does not cover the costs of room and board, or other fees.
The Chairman's Scholarship, which is funded by GE Chairman and Washington College alum H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. and his wife Wendy Culp, selects up to five recipients to receive a $22,000 scholarship renewable for an additional three years – up to $88,000 total per recipient. Recipients must be children of current GE Aerospace employees at the time of application.
Learn more about the Chairman's Scholarship
Named and endowed scholarships are provided through the generosity of donors, alumni, corporate foundations. Eligibility for endowed scholarships are based on specific qualifications as established by the scholarship donor(s), such as merit, residency, financial need, major, GPA, involvement in extra-curricular activities, etc.
Students need not apply for named scholarships; they are awarded at the discretion of the Director of Student Financial Aid.
Named scholarship recipients may be asked to write a personal note of thanks to the donor(s) who made your scholarship possible and/or attend a function with the scholarship donor(s).
The Washington College Civic Innovation Scholarship is an initiative designed to recognize and reward exceptional service members—from the State of Maryland's Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI)—who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and a strong commitment to making an impact in their communities.
Award
- $33,000 per year (renewable for four years), for a total value of $132,000
- One paid internship with a local or regional non-profit or a civic engagement project at the college (This internship would last at least one semester, but opportunities for extension/promotion would exist based on performance.)
- Special invitations to Civic Innovation dinners, events, workshops, and service opportunities each semester
- Awardees will also have access to additional scholarship opportunities
Eligibility
- High school graduates with at least 2.75 GPA or a GED certificate
- Demonstrated leadership and success in one of DSCI's programs, including Maryland Corps and Service Year Option or an AmeriCorps Program with the service location in Maryland
- Recommendation from Service Site Supervisor/Mentor and/or DSCI/AmeriCorps Staff
- Be on track for successful completion of DSCI's service programs, including Maryland Corps and Service Year Option or an AmeriCorps Program with the service site located in Maryland or have previously completed any of these programs within the last five years
- Final award is contingent upon providing documentation of completion for any of these programs and a completed application for admission by February 15th.
Private Scholarships
Private scholarship funds from private donors, civic organizations, corporations, foundations or other group are considered outside awards.
These funds are posted upon receipt of the scholarship check. Checks received by our office are divided equally between fall and spring semesters unless otherwise indicated in your scholarship award letter.
A private scholarship may affect your need-based financial aid if the total financial aid, including the outside award, exceeds federally calculated need or if the sum of all scholarships received exceeds the cost of attendance. Whenever possible, the Office of Student Financial Aid will reduce loan and work-study awards first.
Students who receive a merit-based academic tuition scholarship are required to maintain a 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and full-time, continuous enrollment at Washington College. International students who receive a merit scholarship are required to maintain a 2.0 CGPA.
Students who receive an endowed scholarship, unless otherwise stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), are required to maintain a 2.5 CGPA and full-time continuous enrollment at Washington College. Endowed scholarships may or may not be renewable.
Students who leave WC and do not attend another college and are meeting the minimum 2.5 WC CGPA when they leave will automatically be eligible for their merit aid upon return to WC. Financial aid will automatically review their file upon notification of their return to WC. Students who have received need-based aid in prior years will be reviewed upon receipt of the FAFSA for the academic year in which they return. Eligibility for need-based aid will be determined when the FAFSA is received.
Students who leave WC and attend another school will not be eligible for their merit and/or need-based aid. Students may appeal and should contact the Financial Aid office to begin that process.
Students who are not meeting the minimum criteria will not be eligible for the respective aid upon their return. Students will have the ability to appeal if there was an extenuating circumstance.
Scholarships eligibility is for a maximum of eight semesters. Renewal eligibility will be reviewed at the end of every spring term. Students will be notified in June of their merit award status.