Paying for college may seem like a challenge, but Washburn University offers a number of scholarships to keep your education affordable. Most freshmen are eligible to receive academic scholarships, and the Office of Admissions also awards scholarships to transfer students. Special scholarships are available according to students’ interests and achievements. Many academic departments offer scholarships to undergraduates, too. Washburn's scholarship deadline is February 15, but we award scholarships on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sooner you apply, the better chance you will have of receiving an award.
Washburn University makes applying for scholarships easy. Simply complete your application file by February 15.
For freshmen, a complete application file includes the application for admission; a one-time, $20 application fee; official high school transcript; and official ACT scores.
For transfer students, a complete application file includes the application for admission; a one-time, $20 application fee; and official transcripts from EACH post-secondary school the student has attended.
To qualify for freshman academic scholarships, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Below, you will find a table listing awards according to GPA and ACT scores.
|
ACT |
GPA: 3.0-3.20 |
3.21-3.40 |
3.41-3.60 |
3.61-3.80 |
3.81-4.0 |
|
21-22 |
$500 |
$750 |
$1,000 |
$1,250 |
$1,500 |
|
23-24 |
$750 |
$1,000 |
$1,250 |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
|
25-26 |
$1,000 |
$1,250 |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
|
27-28 |
$1,250 |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
|
29-30 |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
|
31-32 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
|
33-34 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
$4,500 |
|
35-36 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
$4,500 |
$5,000 |
Academic scholarships are renewable for four years. To renew an award in the $500-$1,250 range, you must maintain a GPA of 3.00. To renew an award in the $1,500-$3,500 range, you must maintain a GPA of 3.25. To renew an award in the $4,000-$5,000 range, you must maintain a GPA of 3.40.
To be eligible for transfer scholarships, students must have applied for the fall semester and earned at least 48 credit hours at a community college in Kansas or a selected Missouri community college. Students who have attended a four-year university after high school are inelgible for transfer scholarships.
|
Cumulative college GPA |
3.25-3.5 |
3.51-3.75 |
3.76+ |
|
Award Amount |
$750 |
$1,000 |
$1,200 |
Transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa are also eligible for the PTK scholarship.
|
Cumulative college GPA |
3.6-3.69 |
3.7-3.79 |
3.8-3.89 |
3.9+ |
|
Award Amount |
$1,000 |
$1,100 |
$1,200 |
$1,300 |
Washburn also awards the PTK Academic All-State Scholarship to members of the PTK All-State Academic Team. To renew the transfer and PTK scholarships, you must maintain a GPA of 3.25.
The Office of Admissions also awards scholarships according to students' interests and achievements. Transfer students are eligible for awards marked with an asterisk (*).
Bryden
The Bryden Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship awarded to one freshman who is a Presidential Scholarship recipient. Students submit an essay in partial application for this scholarship, which replaces the Presidential Scholarship. To renew the Bryden Scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 3.25.
Finnup*
The $3,000 Finnup Scholarship is awarded to students who have graduated from a high school in one of the following Kansas counties: Comanche, Greeley, Wichita, Scott, Lane, Ness, Hamilton, Finney, Kearny, Ford, Gray Grant, Stanton, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Mead, Clark, Haskell, and Hodgeman. Students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 to earn the scholarship and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while attending Washburn University to renew it. The award amount is subject to change.
Garvey Competitive Exam
Garvey scholarships, awarded to students with the highest scores on the Garvey Competitive Exam, range from $500 to $2,000. Students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.25 to register for the exam, which Washburn administers in the fall of students’ senior year. To renew the Garvey Scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 3.25.
Hindman*
The $1,600 Hindman Scholarship is awarded to students who graduated from a Rooks County high school. Students can apply for renewal with a 2.00 GPA. The award amount is subject to change.
Presidential
Awarded to select students from each Shawnee County high school, the Presidential Scholarship is a $1,000 award. Students must have minimum GPAs of 3.5 and be nominated by their guidance counselors by February 15. To renew the scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 3.25.
Richey
The $6,000 Richey Scholarship is awarded to select students who achieve a high school GPA of at least 3.9 and earn an ACT composite score of at least 28. The Office of Enrollment Management invites eligible students to apply. The award replaces the freshman academic scholarship. To renew the Richey Scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 3.50.
Shaw*
The Shaw Scholarship, a $1,250 award, is awarded to select students pursuing a Pre-Law or Pre-Med major. To be eligible, freshmen must have a complete admissions file, a GPA of at least 3.5, an ACT score of at least 28, and a completed Shaw Scholarship Application. Community college transfer students must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.5. The priority deadline for this award is February 15. Incoming freshmen can renew this scholarship for 8 semesters with a GPA of at least 3.50.
Shaw Scholarship Application for freshmen
Shaw Scholarship Application for transfer students
Valedictorian
Students who ranked academically highest in their graduating classes are eligible for a one-time, $1,000 Valedictorian Scholarship. The student's application file must be complete by February 15, and the Office of Admissions must receive the final high school transcript by June 15.
Wiseman
This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to select students who graduate from Topeka High School, Topeka West High School, or Highland Park High School with a minimum GPA of 2.00. To renew this scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 2.00.
Woodbury-Ramskill
A $1,000 scholarship is available to freshmen and/or transfer students who graduated from a Rush County, Kansas, high school.
If either of your parents graduated from Washburn, you are considered a "legacy" student, and you are encouraged to apply for an Alumni Association Scholarship. Established in 1944, the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund has been a source of financial assistance for many Washburn students. Although GPA is a qualifier, recipients are chosen on the basis of financial need. More information on the scholarship.
The LinC Scholar/Bonner Leader Program at Washburn University is a national service scholarship program supported by the Bonner Foundation in Princeton, NJ. Just as athletes are offered scholarships to play sports and students who excel in academics are offered scholarships, the Bonner Program offers scholarships to students willing to give their time to meaningful, long-term service commitments in the community. In addition to the scholarship, Washburn University recognizes the dedication and accomplishments of the students in this program by conferring the university honor of LinC Scholar/Bonner Leader upon graduating with at least three full years in the program.
The Literacy Education Action Project awards scholarships to Washburn students who serve for one year as an academic mentor to assist struggling learners in the community. These learners range in age from three years to adult. Washburn students accepted to this program choose which age group(s) they want to serve and receive an education award at the completion of their service.
Barbara L. Buzick Art Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a highly qualified freshman and renewed the each year with the student's satisfactory progress towards an art degree and sustained achievement. The scholarship pays for tuition, books, fees, art supplies, and on-campus housing. To apply, students must provide a digital portfolio, an application letter, a transcript and two letters of recommendation.
Approximately 20 Student Scholarships are awarded to new and returning students. The application deadline is February 15, but some scholarships are awarded during fall enrollment. Work Study, studio assistant positions, and internships are also available. Contact Glenda Taylor, department chair, for more information.
Charles S. & Doris F. Joss Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to Pre-med students with a GPA over 3.5.
Dr. Glenn S. Millice Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to Pre-med students.
Conrad Frisinger Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in chemistry, nursing, pre-med, pre-dentistry, or pre-pharmacy.
Charlotte M. & Warren W. Shaw Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded to full-time students with a GPA over 3.0 who are preparing to enter medical or law schools.
Topeka Audubon Society Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded to biology majors, with preference to students preparing for careers in ecology and wildlife biology.
Shawnee Sportsmen Inc. Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to biology majors interested in wildlife, conservation, or environmental protection.
Shipley-Hocker Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded to biology majors working toward an advanced degree in microbiology.
Jane Ayers McAleavey
This scholarship is awarded to women studying botany or biology.
Senior Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to the junior with the highest GPA who has also completed service to the department.
Sarah Lu Carter
This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a bachelor's degree in science or engineering and taking pre-engineering courses at Washburn University.
Sheldon & Virginia Cohen Fund for Excellence in the Sciences
Funds for this award are divided equally for scholarship in biology and chemistry according to academic ability.
Dr. Robert H. Glazier Sciences Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in the chemical and/or biological sciences
The Chemistry Department awards scholarships to freshmen majoring in chemistry with an ACT composite score of 25 or above. Students pursuing a bachelor of science degree are eligible for awards ranging from $500-1,000; students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree are eligible for awards ranging from $300-1,000. Scholarships are renewable according to a student’s cumulative GPA and GPA in chemistry courses. For more information, please contact the Chemistry Department.
Scholarships in the form of tuition assistance are available to students preparing to become early childhood educators, elementary classroom teachers, secondary classroom teachers in all subjects, and candidates for graduate degrees or advanced teaching licenses. Applications are considered by the department each spring. Scholarships range from $300 to $2,500. Individuals become eligible for scholarship consideration upon meeting all requirements for formal admission to the Professional Teacher Education Program.
John D. Bright - Ernest R. Bader Scholarship
Established in 1986, the Bright-Bader Scholarship is awarded to a current history major recommended by the department chairperson. Dr. Bright served as chair from the early1940s to the middle 1950s, and Dr. Bader served as chair from the middle 1950s until the middle1980s. Their former students created this scholarship.
Donald F. Danker - Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship
Established in 1988, the Danker Scholarship is awarded to a currently history major recommended by the department chairperson. Famous for his hunters stew parties and card playing, Dr. Danker remains universally loved by those fortunate enough to have studied with him. He was a wonderful storyteller, so much so that his students regularly forgot to take notes during his lectures.
C. Robert Haywood Scholarship
Established in 1982, this scholarship is awarded to a full-time, undergraduate American citizen upon recommendation by full-time faculty of the department for outstanding accomplishments in "doing history.” Dr. Haywood was a Dean of the College and Academic Vice-President who did much to save and modernize the university after the 1966 Tornado. By superbly balancing his administrative duties and academic pursuits, he served as a role model for both faculty and students.
Linda Wahl-Stoltenberg Scholarship
Established in 1999, this award goes to either full or part-time students, preferably non-traditional, doing excellent work in history. The scholarship honors Linda Wahl-Stoltenberg, a former a student who blossomed as a history major at Washburn University.
William O. Wagnon Scholarship
The newly created Wagnon Scholarship is not yet fully endowed. It is designed to assist students who want to become high school history teachers. This scholarship honors Dr. Bill Wagnon’s career and longtime interest in the preparation of outstanding high school educators. We hope to make this scholarship available soon.
The Mary S. Rowland Scholarship
Mary S. Rowland earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Kansas and served as an administrator at Washburn University. Her husband, Don Rowland, was a Professor of Law at Washburn University, and along with his family, he endowed this scholarship to support incoming History majors for four years of academic study. For additional information, contact Dr. Kim Morse, Chair of the History Department Scholarship Committee.
Kinzer Mathematical Scholarship
The $500 Kinzer Scholarship is awarded to qualified students who major in mathematics. Scholarship recipients will be selected from applicants who satisfy the following criteria: A "B" average in all completed high school work; an ACT math score of 28 or an SAT math score of 640; and an intent to major or minor in Mathematics or a related field (Chemistry, Economics, Pre‐engineering, Physics, etc.) at Washburn University.
Laura Green Scholarship
The $1,000 Laura Greene Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally qualified students majoring in mathematics at Washburn University. Scholarship recipients will be selected from applicants who satisfy the following criteria: a 3.33 GPA (4 point scale) in all completed high school work; an ACT math score of 30 or an SAT math score of 710; and an intent to major in Mathematics at Washburn University.
The Music Department offers a variety of talent scholarships. Students must audition for admission to the Music Program and for scholarship consideration. Nonmajors are also eligible for music scholarships and invited to audition. You may either audition on one of the specified dates, or send an audio or videotaped audition. Contact the music department for more information.
Scholarships up to $2000 per year are available for the study of Physics at Washburn University. Award amounts vary according to ACT scores. Scholarship recipients will be selected from applicants who satisfy the following criteria: a "B" average in all completed high school work; a "B" average in all completed college work for transfer students; and a combined ACT score of 25 or above.
Academic Scholarships for New Students
The School of Business awards scholarships to freshmen with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 and ACT composite scores of 24. Transfer students with cumulative college GPAs of 3.25 are also eligible. To be considered for fall scholarships, students must fill out an online application by February 15th. To maintain their eligibility, students must declare a major in business by the end of their first semester at Washburn.
Marcoux Leadership Scholarship
Incoming freshmen with GPAs of 3.0 and ACT scores of 26 will be considered for this scholarship, which replaces the scholarship for new students. Current students with cumulative GPAs of 3.25 will also be considered. Paper applications for this scholarship must be received by the School of Business by February 15.
The School of Nursing accepts applications for scholarship each semester, with deadlines of February 15 for the fall and October 15 for the spring. Applications are available on the School of Nursing homepage. Students must re-apply for scholarships by February 15 each year.
Ricky D. Atkins Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students who participate in Air Force ROTC.
Altrusa Club Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students studying in the areas of allied health or office, legal and technology. Preference is given to women with a 2.5 GPA.
Richard/Marcia Barta
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time Criminal Justice major.
Mark/Lucille Bennett
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time SAS undergraduate.
Urilla/Graydon Bowman
This scholarship is awarded to SAS majors. Preference is given to women with a 2.50 GPA who are enrolled in at least 6hrs.
Bart/Tami Chavez
This scholarship is awarded to Criminal Justice majors.
Dr. Eugene Connelly
This scholarship is awarded to Social Work majors, with preference given to undergraduates.
Criminal Justice
This scholarship is awarded to Criminal Justice majors.
Elaine Duffens
This scholarship is awarded to Master of Social Work students who are enrolled in a minimum of 8hrs. Preference is given to women.
Elaine Duffens
This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students in social work
Newell and Virginia Feeley
This scholarship is awarded to students in Human Services or Social Work. Preference is given to students in gerontology.
Ted Heim Leadership in Criminal Justice
This scholarship is awarded to Criminal Justice majors.
Quinby/Ann Henderson
This scholarship is awarded full- or part-time upperclassmen majoring criminal justice or social work. The award alternates between the majors every two years.
Dana/Louise Hummer
This scholarship is awarded to Criminal Justice majors.
Dr. David Lee
This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate Social Work majors, with preference given to minority students.
Mary Carswell Lempenau
This scholarship is awarded to radiation therapy majors, with preference given to women.
Bart Allen Lewis
This scholarship is awarded to juniors and seniors in human services, with preference given to those choose an emphasis in drug & alcohol counseling.
Donna Love
This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.
Dorothy Luginbill
This scholarship is awarded to students with a 3.0 GPA pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.
Karl Menninger
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in criminal justice.
Sharron Sue Parks
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in radiation therapy.
Tony Patterson
Sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police, this scholarship is awarded to criminal justice majors who are enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours.
Don Pedroja
This scholarship is awarded to human services majors with concentrations in addiction counseling.
PEO
This scholarship is awarded to a SAS student, with preference given to women.
Charles/Margaret Pollak
This scholarship is awarded to full-time students in allied health.
David Powell
This scholarship is awarded to juniors and seniors studying social work at Washburn.
Radiologic Technology
This scholarship is awarded to second-year radiologic technology students.
Cliff Burton
This scholarship is awarded to criminal justice majors.
Kenneth/Irene Rowley
This scholarship is awarded to allied health students.
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center Radiation Therapy
This scholarship is awarded to a radiation therapy majors.
SAS Leadership in Office Administration
This scholarship is awarded to office administration majors.
SAS Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to SAS students.
Dr. Phillip Sisk Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in radiation therapy and radiologic technology.
Social Work Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in social work.
Washburn Walkers
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in human services/gerontology and enrolled in at least 6 hours.
Susan L. Wright
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in an area of allied health or a medical field other than general nursing. Preference is given to women.
Vernon Yazzie
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in social work, with a preference to Native Americans.
Dr. James Young
This scholarship is awarded to a student in the School of Applied Studies, with preference given to non-traditional students enrolled in a minimum of 5 hours.