Merit Scholarships

Campus in the spring with flowering trees and a WSU flag hanging from a light post.

Rewarding Academic Excellence: Merit-Based Scholarships

Our merit-based scholarships are designed for first-year and transfer students in the full-time Day Division who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement—regardless of financial need. These awards are automatically considered based on your admission application, so there’s no need for a separate scholarship application.

We’re proud to offer merit scholarships to both in-state and out-of-state students, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to be considered.

We also encourage students to apply for private scholarships to maximize their financial support.

Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students

Students must be full-time, Day Division students in order to receive merit scholarships. Students are eligible for scholarships for eight semesters, and eligible for renewal by so long as students remain full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

Please note that scholarships are limited. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship. Additionally, Students are eligible to receive only one merit-based scholarship.

All GPA requirements are based on the recalculated GPA done by the Office of Admission at the time of acceptance.

Tsongas Scholarship

The Tsongas Scholarship recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award covers annual cost of tuition and fees.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • Combined SAT-I score of 1300 or higher in Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math; and
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least 4.0 on a 4.0 scale

Tsongas scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of four years by maintaining a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

The Presidential Merit Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • High School cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 3.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Apply to live on campus in University housing
Owl Scholarship

The Owl Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $4,000 annually.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for commuter Massachusetts residents
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 3.50 - 3.74 on a 4.0 scale for on campus Massachusetts residents
Blue & White Scholarship

The Blue & White Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $3,000 annually.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • High School cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 2.80 - 3.49 on a 4.0 scale
Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $2,000 annually.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to New England residents
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 2.50 - 2.79 on a 4.0 scale for Massachusetts Residents
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 2.80 for New England Regional Rate
Dean Scholarship

The Dean Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $1,000 annually.

First-year applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to New England residents
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 2.50 - 2.79 on a 4.0 scale for New England Regional Rate
International Student Scholarship

The International Student Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year students who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to international students
  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
Out-of-State Scholarship

The Out-of-State Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year applicants who are not Massachusetts residents and do not qualify for the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Rate (see proximity regions) and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to out-of-state students who do not qualify for the New England Regional Rate
  • High School cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Meet all MA Department of Higher Education academic course requirements

Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students

Students must be full-time, Day Division students in order to receive merit scholarships. Students are eligible for scholarships for six semesters, and eligible for renewal by so long as students remain full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

Please note that scholarships are limited. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship. Additionally, Students are eligible to receive only one merit-based scholarship.

All GPA requirements are based on the recalculated GPA done by the Office of Admission at the time of acceptance.

Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected transfer students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $2,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least 3.70 on a 4.0 scale
Dean Scholarship

The Dean Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new transfer students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $1,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to Massachusetts residents
  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least a 3.30 on a 4.0 scale
Out-of-State Scholarship

The Out-of-State Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected transfer students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who are not Massachusetts residents and do not qualify for the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Rate (see proximity regions) and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to out-of-state students who do not qualify for the New England Regional Rate
  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
International Student Scholarship

The International Student Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

Students who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Open to international students
  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the University of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Honors Program Award

The Honors Program Award is given to first-year students who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and are enrolled in the Honors Program at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $750 annually.

The Honors Program Award is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year as long as the student continues in the Honors Program.

WSU Alumni Legacy Award

The WSU Alumni Legacy Award is a university-funded scholarship for accepted full-time Day Division first-year and transfer students whose parent/guardian(s) are graduates of Westfield State University. Upon acceptance to Westfield State, these students are eligible for this $1,000 (annual) award, renewable each semester.

The WSU Alumni Legacy Award is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress, remaining in good academic standing.

LEAD Scholars Program Completion Scholarship

The LEAD Scholars Program Completion Scholarship is a $2,000 annual scholarship awarded to students who successfully complete the LEAD Scholars Summer Bridge Program. Determination of successful completion of the Summer Bridge Program is determined by the LEAD Scholars Program.

The LEAD Scholars Program Completion Scholarship is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters. Students must be active participants in the LEAD Scholars Program while at Westfield State, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain in good academic standing.

Explore What's Next

Learn about available scholarships, financial aid options, and tuition costs to support your educational journey.