Western Illinois University (WIU) scholarships are designed to reduce financial barriers, support you in achieving your goals, and unleash your full potential. An affordable, high-quality education is well within reach through Western’s merit-based, need-based, and departmental scholarships for students from all backgrounds.
A scholarship is a type of financial aid award that you do not have to pay back. Western Illinois University scholarship opportunities are awarded for both merit (based on your grades and/or extracurriculars) and need (based on your and your family’s finances). WIU awards $26 million in scholarships and awards annually.
The revolutionary Western Way covers all tuition costs and mandatory fees for eligible incoming students. This distinctive approach ensures that no financial barriers stand between you and an excellent education. Find out if you qualify to follow the Western Way!
Scholarships at Western Illinois University can save you thousands of dollars on both the up-front and long-term costs of your education. Explore our 2027-28 need- and merit-based scholarships for freshmen, transfer, and graduate students.
Earn a merit-based award that covers 100% of your tuition, fees, room, and meal plan. A separate scholarship application is required.
Automatic awards up to $6,000 per year based on your high school GPA
Awards up to $1,000 per year to children and grandchildren of WIU graduates
Awards up to $3,000 for on-campus housing if you reside in the Western Illinois region
Awards up to $1,000 if you enroll at WIU and have completed 3+ credit hours of WIU dual enrollment coursework
Awards up to $1,000 if you attend an official on-campus WIU admissions event and enroll at WIU within 1 year of your visit
Awards up to $1,000 per year if you have completed a Junior ROTC program
Awards up to $1,000 per year if you reside in an underrepresented region in Illinois
Awards up to $1,000 per year if you enroll in English or Chemistry.
Automatic awards up to $3,000 per year based on your college GPA
Awards up to $1,000 per year to children and grandchildren of WIU graduates
Awards up to $3,000 for on-campus housing if you reside in the Western Illinois region
Awards up to $1,000 to members of Phi Theta Kappa
Awards up to $1,000 if you attend an official on-campus WIU admissions event and enroll at WIU within 1 year of your visit
Awards up to $1,000 per year if you transfer directly from an underrepresented community college in Illinois
Apply for scholarships that are specifically designed for your goals and interests. WIU’s departments and programs offer unique scholarships that you may be eligible for! Separate applications may be required.
#12
Best Bang for the Buck Midwestern Schools
$26 Million
in Scholarships & Awards Annually
84%
of Students Receive Financial Aid
It’s easy to apply for scholarships at WIU! If you are an incoming freshman or new transfer student, we will automatically consider you for university-wide need- and merit-based scholarships. You don’t need to file a separate scholarship application, except for the President's Scholarship and departmental scholarships.
Follow These Steps for Automatic Scholarship Consideration
Follow These Steps for Presidential and Departmental Scholarship Applications:
If you are a current WIU student, you can complete the general scholarship application to be considered for new scholarships in the next round of funding.
Get in touch with our helpful team in the Scholarship Office at sc-office@wiu.edu.
Tuition is only one component of your overall cost, which includes other fees and can be lowered by scholarships and other forms of financial aid—that’s where our handy Cost Estimator can help you understand how affordable a WIU education really is!
“Cost did play a factor in my decision. Western was not only offering the most, but they also offered me other ways to get scholarships.”
Tatiana Oscar, Social Work
When you start your WIU application, you’re opening the door to scholarship eligibility and a more affordable education. From departmental scholarships to our full-tuition Western Way award, Western Illinois University scholarships exist to support you here and well into your career!
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