Scholarships
Scholarships at Kansas Wesleyan University are a key resource to ensure access to a fantastic, private college experience at a reasonable price.
Scholarships for Kansas Residents
Note that the following scholarships may not be combined, or “stacked”, with any other KWU scholarship or grant offer. However, the academic matrix and power awards make up a portion of each scholarship.
Ad Astra Guarantee
This is a guarantee of $60,000 in undergraduate scholarships over four years ($15,000 per year). This scholarship is open to any graduate from a Kansas high school or home school, those who transfer from a college in Kansas or state resident.
Saline County Guarantee
This is a guarantee of $70,000 in undergraduate scholarships over four years ($17,500 per year). Any high school/home school student who resides at an address in Saline County and is new to KWU is eligible.
Central Kansas Guarantee
This is a guarantee of $70,000 in undergraduate scholarships over four years ($17,500 per year). Any high school or home school student who resides at an address in the following counties: McPherson, Ottawa, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Dickinson, Marion, Reno, Cloud, Harvey or Sedgwick is eligible.
Kansas Advancement Scholarship – KS Community College Graduates
The Kansas Advancement Scholarship is a guarantee of at least $20,000 per year in scholarship aid for any graduate of a Kansas community college. The agreement is in support of September 2022’s global transfer and course articulation agreement between the Kansas Community College Trustees Association and the Kansas Independent College Association (KICA).
This opportunity is valid only for students new to KWU and begins in Spring 2023.
Nursing Transfer Scholarship
KWU has a special, significant scholarship for transfer, non-activity Nursing students! For the junior cohort classes from Spring ’23 through Fall ’24 (to include Fall ’23 and Spring ’24), junior transfer students who qualify for admission and enter KWU with a 3.5 GPA or better are guaranteed $30,000 of institutional aid for the year! Have a 3.25 GPA and want a new place to learn? You are assured of $25,000! Have a 3.0 GPA? You are guaranteed $23,0000!
Please note that students are allowed to live off campus.
Recipients are not eligible to receive aid for participation in fine arts or intercollegiate athletics, and must meet admissions standards to both KWU and the Nursing program.
Learn more about KWU scholarships by clicking here!
Legacy and UMC Member Scholarships
KWU welcomes students with a historical tie to the university, whether it be through our long association with the United Methodist Church or by welcoming legacy students, those whose parents and grandparents have attended the university (or others with a KWU tie) in the past. Both of the below scholarships are valid for the cost of tuition only.
50% Legacy Scholarships
This 50% tuition scholarship is available to children and grandchildren of Kansas Wesleyan University, Marymount College or St. Mary of the Plains College alumni. Recipient must be a full-time, on-ground new undergraduate student. This scholarship may not be combined with any other KWU scholarship or grant offer.
50% United Methodist Scholarship
This 50% tuition scholarship is available to all members of the United Methodist Church. The scholarship opportunity applies to full-time, on-ground new undergraduate students. This scholarship may not be combined with any other KWU scholarship or grant offer.
Valedictorian Scholarship
The KWU Valedictorian Scholarship recognizes Kansas resident graduating high school seniors that have achieved Valedictorian status (per high school counselor) with a minimum GPA of 4.0. Home school students are eligible as well. All applicants must have a minimum composite score of 25 on the ACT or SAT equivalent.
Note: Full-tuition scholarship winners are required to live on campus while receiving this scholarship. (Students receiving the full tuition and who are eligible to receive the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, those funds make up a portion of the full-tuition scholarship and are not eligible to receive any other KWU scholarship or grant.)
Stein Strings Scholarship
The Stein Strings Scholarship guarantees strings players – new to KWU from a Saline County school – at least $20,000 per year in institutional aid!
The scholarship honors the late Eric Stein, who founded the Salina Symphony and was a longtime instructor at Marymount College.
RISE Program and Scholarship
The RISE program, a KWU/USD 305 effort, provides a $22,500 KWU scholarship to qualified, selected transfer students who enter the KWU Teacher Education program. Historically underrepresented groups are the focus of the effort. In addition to the annual scholarship, the program also provides a $5,000 forgivable loan per student, enabling everyone in the program to complete a bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education at a greatly reduced expense. At the conclusion of the program and certification requirements, students are provided the opportunity to become a teacher in USD 305, Salina’s school district.
Click here for a flyer regarding the RISE program.
Salina Regional Health Center Employee/Dependent Scholarship
KWU has created a scholarship for employees of longtime supporter Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) and their dependents. Anyone eligible for the scholarship is guaranteed at least $20,000 of scholarship aid per year! Qualifying individuals must be an SRHC employee, spouse or dependent under the age of 25 still living in the employee’s household. Learn more by contacting Director of Admissions Claire Houk at [email protected],edu.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship
Kansas Wesleyan University offers a scholarship in partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletics (FCA). The agreement allows for scholarship money to be available for FCA interns at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Recipients of the scholarship will be mentored and trained by FCA staff. The scholarship is guaranteed for four years if expectations of the program are being satisfied. The first three years of the student’s time at KWU focus on helping lead the FCA on the Kansas Wesleyan University campus, with the support of the FCA staff person. Students will assist with on-campus programming and support for KWU student-athletes. The fourth year of the internship, the student intern will partner with a local high school to work with high school athletes and coaches.
The scholarship is a partial scholarship and students must complete the application process by April 15 of each year. Priority will be given to students who have already been accepted and complete their deposit to attend Kansas Wesleyan University. Up to two students will be awarded each year.
To apply for the scholarship, students must
- Complete an essay (no longer than two pages) on why they want to participate in FCA and sport ministry.
- Two letters of reference
Application materials can be submitted to Aaron Glendening, KWU FCA Coordinator at [email protected].
Please put “FCA Scholarship” in the subject line.
General Scholarships
Over 98% of our full-time students receive financial aid. Our initial financial aid calculations are based on cumulative GPA and, in the case of transfer students, the number of hours transferring in. This is true for both domestic and international students.
Trustee Scholarship
$14,000 (off-campus $11,000)
High school seniors with cumulative GPA of 3.75
Transfer students with GPA of 3.75 in 24 or more transferring graded credit hours
Presidential Scholarship
$12,000 (off-campus $9,000)
High school seniors with cumulative GPA of 3.5
Transfer students with GPA of 3.5 in 24 or more transferring graded credit hours
Dean’s Scholarship
$10,000 (off-campus $7,000)
High school seniors with cumulative GPA of 3.0
Transfer students with GPA of 3.0 in 24 or more transferring graded credit hours
University Scholarship
$8,000 (off-campus $5,000)
High school seniors with cumulative GPA of 2.5
Transfer students with GPA of 2.5 in 24 or more transferring graded credit hours
Promise Scholarship
$6,000 (off-campus $3,000)
Transfer students with GPA of 2.0 in 24 or more transferring graded credit hours
Discretionary Scholarships
Offered through activities such as: Debate and Forensics, Music (to include vocal, orchestra, band, The Howl, Rise Up! and Campus Ministry), Athletics, fine arts, or academics. Amounts vary and are determined by coaches or sponsors. Students are only eligible to receive one discretionary scholarship.
State Line Grant
Any high school or home school students from Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma qualify for a $2,000 State Line Grant.
ACT Award
First-time freshmen students who submit an official ACT score of 21 (or 1080 SAT composite) or higher will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Kansas Wesleyan University Award
Students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for this award. In addition, this award also may be awarded to applicants whose interests or background are underrepresented at Kansas Wesleyan University.
For more information on all scholarships, click here.
Please note that outside entities may offer scholarships, including those specific to Kansas Wesleyan. If you have questions or desire assistance regarding these, you may contact the Admissions office and we will assist you to the best of our ability.
