2023 Presidential Scholarships
The Presidential Scholarships, named after Wheaton College’s historic leaders, extend the College’s investment in students who demonstrate deepening Christian faith and significant academic achievement in their schools and communities.
- $20,000 ($80,000 over four years)
- $15,000 ($60,000 over four years)
- $12,000 ($48,000 over four years)
How Are Scholarships Awarded?
Every applicant to Wheaton is given consideration for Presidential Scholarships based on academic credentials and review of their application for admission. Students who qualify will receive their scholarship offer with their acceptance letter.
Scholarship eligibility expires after eight semesters of enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for a Presidential Scholarship. For enrolled hours between 6-11 hours, the scholarship is prorated based on the number of billing hours. No additional scholarship is provided for hours over 18. 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.
If a student accelerates their program, they may request one semester of the award to be used for a summer term in lieu of a fall or spring term provided the student is enrolled at least half-time during the summer. The scholarship will be prorated based on the number of hours and the sum of all institutional gift aid is capped at tuition.
Renewal is contingent on maintaining good academic standing at the College or being on Financial Aid Warning status. Students must appeal for continued eligibility if they do not attain good academic standing after the semester on Financial Aid Warning. Once the award has been lost it will not be reinstated, other than through the appeal process.
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 that will be applied to their student account for that semester will be prorated based on the student’s enrollment. Undergraduate students enrolled in 9-11 hours will receive ¾ of each grant or scholarship amount applied to their student account. Undergraduate students enrolled in 6-8 hours will receive ½ of each grant or scholarship amount applied to their student account. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in less than 6 hours do not qualify for institutional grants or scholarships, 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.
If a student leaves Wheaton College for up to one year and returns, their Presidential Scholarship award can be retained.
National Merit Semi-Finalists
National Merit Semifinalists are automatically awarded the highest Presidential Scholarship which is $16,000 per year for up to four years. Students who advance to Finalist status can receive additional funding from National Merit based on their awarding criteria. Wheaton College does not have an institutional fund for National Merit Finalists.
Additional Wheaton College Awarded Scholarships
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.
Multicultural Student Scholarships
Require a separate application.
Music Merit Scholarships
Available to Conservatory of Music students that range in amount.
ROTC Room and Board Scholarship
The ROTC Room and Board Scholarship is provided by Wheaton College to students receiving the ROTC tuition scholarship who are enrolled full-time. The scholarship supplements the ROTC Housing Stipend to cover the cost of on-campus room and board valued at the double occupancy dorm rate and the full meal plan. Recipients are not eligible for any other institutional scholarships or grants but may qualify for federal aid based on the FAFSA application. Recipients of ROTC tuition scholarships must notify Student Financial Services of their award by submitting a Report of Outside Resources form.
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.
Departmental Restricted Endowed Scholarships
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. Scholarships are prorated based on the number of billing hours and the sum of all institutional gift aid is limited to the cost of tuition.
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.
Additional 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.