How Are Scholarships Awarded?
Total institutional scholarships and grants are capped at the cost of student’s tuition for the academic year. Amounts in excess of total tuition costs will be reduced.
Financial aid awards are initially made based on the assumption that an undergraduate student will be enrolled full-time (at least 12 hours). If an undergraduate student is enrolled less than full-time, the amount of grants and scholarships they receive for that semester will be prorated based on the student’s enrollment. If total credit hours are 9 - 11.9, the student will receive ¾ of the semester amount of their institutional scholarships and grants. If total credit hours are 6 - 8.9, the student will receive ½ of the semester amount of their institutional scholarships and grants. If total credit hours are less than 6, the student will not be eligible for any institutional scholarships or grants, however some federal and state grants are available for undergraduate students enrolled less than half time. These funds will be prorated according to the applicable federal or state rules. No additional scholarship is provided for hours over 18.
In order to retain financial aid eligibility from year to year, a student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please read the full policy for the impact of SAP on financial aid eligibility.
Presidential Scholarships
The Presidential Scholarship, named after Wheaton College’s historic leaders, extends the College’s investment in students who demonstrate deepening Christian faith and significant academic achievement in their schools and communities.
2024 Presidential Scholarship Amounts:
- $20,000 ($80,000 over four years)
- $15,000 ($60,000 over four years)
- $12,000 ($48,000 over four years)
All Wheaton College applicants (including non-U.S. citizens) will be considered for Presidential Scholarships based on academic credentials and review of their application for admission. No additional scholarship application is required Students who qualify will receive their scholarship offer with their acceptance letter.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for a Presidential Scholarship. Eligibility expires after eight semesters of enrollment. For enrolled hours between 6-11.9 hours, the scholarship is prorated based on the number of billing hours.
If a student leaves Wheaton College for up to one year and returns, their Presidential Scholarship award can be retained. Presidential Scholarships are not available for summer terms.
National Merit Scholarships
Semifinalists
National Merit Semifinalists are automatically awarded the highest Presidential Scholarship which is $20,000 per year for up to four years.
Finalists
Students who advance to Finalist status can receive additional funding from National Merit based on their awarding criteria. Wheaton College is a sponsor in the National Merit Scholarship Program and offers a scholarship to National Merit Finalists indicating Wheaton as their first-choice college. The awards for incoming freshmen are either $1,000, renewable up to four years, or a one-time $2,500 award for those selected for a National Merit Corporate Scholarship. The award type is determined by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Additional Wheaton College Awarded Scholarships
Aequitas Fellows Program
The Aequitas Fellows Program is a group of highly selective, four-year cohort academic programs centered around important interdisciplinary themes. As part of a cohort, you will join together with other outstanding students in common classes and experiences to explore questions central to your particular theme. These shared experiences offer rich intellectual opportunities, deepen relationships, and complement your wider Christian liberal arts education at Wheaton.
The Aequitas Scholarship is granted for up to eight (8) semesters, or the total semesters needed to finish one degree if less than eight, while enrolled at Wheaton College at least half-time. Students enrolled less than full-time, but at least half-time, will receive a prorated amount for that semester. The award is renewable each year, provided the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Grades are reviewed for continued eligibility at the end of the spring semester. If a student does not keep the required 3.0 cumulative GPA, the award will be rescinded and no reinstatement offered, even if the GPA improves.
*Next round of applications will be available in November 2023 for the 2024-2025 entry term.
Charles W. Colson Scholarship
Offered, since 1988, through the Correctional Ministries Institute, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center for applicants with a felony record. If interested call 630-752-5727 or visit the scholarship website.
Departmental Restricted Endowed Scholarships and Prizes
Awarding of endowed scholarships is made based on donor designated criteria. Scholarships are awarded through Student Financial Services based on recommendations from academic departments. All awards are disbursed to students through payment onto the student account.
Beginning in 2024-2025, departmental and other one-time scholarships and prizes are additive to a student’s financial aid award. If the scholarship creates an over award for a student, Federal Work Study or the loan portion of the financial aid award will be reduced before reducing the institutional need-based grant. The sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, and prizes cannot exceed tuition charges, excluding funds specifically designated for room and board expenses. Scholarships are subject to proration for part-time enrollment status based on credit hours.
Certain merit scholarships include a minimum cumulative GPA requirement. These funds are evaluated for renewal based on the cumulative GPA after the spring term concludes each year. If the student's cumulative GPA at the end of the spring term is lower than the required minimum, the fund will not be renewed in any future terms, even if the cumulative GPA exceeds the minimum requirement in a future term.
Multicultural Student Scholarships
Require a separate application.
Music Merit Scholarships
Available to Conservatory of Music students that range in amount.
ROTC Housing and Food Scholarship
The ROTC Housing and Food Scholarship is provided by Wheaton College to students receiving the ROTC tuition scholarship who are enrolled full-time. The scholarship is valued at the cost of on-campus housing and food valued at the double occupancy dorm rate and the full 18-meal plan. Recipients are not eligible for any other institutional scholarships or grants but may qualify for federal aid based on the FAFSA application.
Wheaton College Brigade Gap Scholarship
Admitted First-Year students who are invited to candidate for the full tuition ARMY ROTC Scholarship for years 2-4, and who meet and maintain ROTC scholarship requirements are granted a Wheaton College Brigade Gap Scholarship in addition to any previously awarded state grant, Federal Educational Opportunity (FSEOG) Grant as well as Presidential Scholarship and/or Wheaton Grant to bring the sum amount of the award equal to 75% of tuition. The College will also provide a Housing and Food scholarship valued at an on-campus, double occupancy room and full 18-meal plan for the first year. When ROTC awards the full tuition scholarship for years 2-4, the College will remove any previously awarded institutional award but will continue awarding the Food and Housing scholarship at the above stated rate.
- Wheaton Brigade Gap Scholarship recipients are required to complete the FAFSA.
- Housing and Food Scholarships, valued at the double occupancy dorm room rate and full meal plan, cannot be applied to off-campus housing and recipients must be enrolled in a Wheaton College meal plan.
- Recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
- Federal Pell Grant funds may be used by the student to cover their remaining portion of the tuition bill.
If a student drops out or declines ROTC their freshmen year, or if ROTC stated requirements are not met (i.e. Physical exam, academic standards), then Wheaton College will reinstate the original financial aid offered by removing the Brigade Gap, Housing and Food Scholarships. The ROTC Tuition Scholarship is an institutional grant Wheaton provides to quality ROTC students who have decided to apply for an ROTC scholarship. Students who do not intend to apply for an ROTC scholarship and do not want to become an Army Officer are not eligible for this scholarship. Students that receive the ROTC Federal Scholarship and turn it down will be responsible for the difference between the Wheaton Brigade Gap Scholarship and their original financial aid package.
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
There are many scholarship opportunities available from external sources. Check out our list of outside undergraduate scholarships. We recommend students begin this process during their junior year of high school, as many organizations make their scholarship selections during the students' senior year.