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Wheaton College Scholarships and Financial Aid

Karen Belling - Student Financial Services Director Wheaton College ILWheaton College offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your education more affordable. Our funding opportunities include merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and departmental awards designed to support students throughout their Wheaton journey.

With opportunities like endowed scholarships, external award options, and specialized programs (such as those for leadership or ministry), most students receive some form of assistance. Explore eligibility criteria, application steps, award deadlines, and tips on maximizing your financial aid package—all on this page.

The Student Financial Services team at Wheaton is happy to walk with you through the financial aid process. Contact us at sfs@wheaton.edu with any questions.

Attention New Students: Announcing the Wheaton College Illinois Promise!

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For first-year students beginning their enrollment in Fall 2025 and beyond, Wheaton College will cover the remaining tuition cost for enrolling Illinois residents receiving both the Federal Pell Grant and Illinois MAP Grant.

Take the first step toward your world-class education – Apply to Wheaton Now and discover how the Wheaton Promise can make attending one of the nation’s top Christian liberal arts colleges a reality.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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What scholarships and financial aid are available to Wheaton students?

Each year:

$54+ million in scholarships and grants is awarded annually to students (includes federal, state, and institutional sources)

Over 90 percent of new first-year students receive some combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and/or federal work-study to help make their Wheaton experience affordable.

Undergraduate Academic Scholarships

Wheaton College academic scholarships are generally awarded based on significant academic achievement, or excellence in a particular field like music, athletics, or natural sciences. Many of these scholarships are made possible by generous gifts from Wheaton alumni and friends, as well as the Wheaton College endowment.

More on Academic Scholarships

Undergraduate Need-Based Aid

Need-based grants and scholarships are calculated based on demonstrated financial need and do not need to be repaid. To be considered for need-based aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, state grants, and the Wheaton Grant. Need-based grants and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students must file a FAFSA each year to determine federal and state eligibility and, in some cases, institutional eligibility.

More About Need-Based Aid

Undergraduate Loans

Loans are a form of financial aid that must be paid back with interest. Students and families typically use loans to pay any expenses that are not covered by scholarships or grants. There are several types of loans you can consider, including:

  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loans (only accrue interest at the start of the repayment period)
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed)
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
  • Education loans from private lenders
More About Undergraduate Loans

Other Aid Programs and Financial Resources

Wheaton partners with other aid programs such as Federal Work-Study (FWS), Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon benefits, and ROTC scholarships. Other financial resources include non-FWS employment, semester payment plans, and outside scholarships.

More About Other Aid Options

Graduate Scholarships, Loans, and Assistantships

Wheaton offers various aid options beyond standard financial aid, including GI Bill benefits, ROTC scholarships, and the Bennett Fund for missionaries. Additional opportunities include federal loans, on-campus employment (federal work study), and a college payment plan to help students manage educational expenses.

More About Graduate Financial Aid

Financial Aid Steps to Apply and Timelines

Paying Your Bill

Semester bills and monthly statements will be available online in the Student Billing & Payment Gateway. Students and their authorized users will receive email notifications when new billing statements are ready to view. View more information about billing, payment, and financial responsibilities.

Financial Aid Tips for College Students and Parents

1. Remember deadlines!

If you want to be able to make a timely decision about which college to attend, with financial aid information in hand, we need your information on time. Let your parents know ahead of time that you need their help in submitting the forms.

2. Keep a copy

Occasionally, paperwork does get lost. If you keep a photocopy of everything that you send to the IRS, the federal processing center, and our office, you will be prepared for anything.

3. Use e-mail for questions

Responses to e-mail are often quicker. Our office's address is: sfs@wheaton.edu

4. Write it all down

If you have a unique or changing financial situation, please send us an email or a letter describing your situation. Although we cannot accommodate every request, we do read these and consider each request independently.

5. Respond

Occasionally, we'll need to ask for additional information. If we do ask for something extra, it is because we need it in order to comply with regulations or to clarify some information in your application. Your timely response will ensure that things stay on track.

6. Follow through

In the end, it is your responsibility to make sure that your financial aid process is complete. We will try to keep you up to date on your progress but you must be the one to get it done.

Need some help?

Whether you have questions about affording a Wheaton education or want more information about our academic programs, Wheaton's admissions counselors and Student Financial Services Team are your first point of contact.