Financial Aid

Available Grants

NOTE: When you complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, you are applying for all federal, state and university grants and loans offered at WCSU.

*Post-Baccalaureate students (those pursuing a second bachelor’s degree or a post-bachelor’s certificate) are not eligible to receive undergraduate need-based aid. You may, however, be eligible for private scholarships, Federal Direct Loans, private education loans, and non-federal work study student employment opportunities on campus.

Federal Pell Grant (Pell)

The Pell Grant was established as a basic access program for students from low and middle income families. To qualify for a Pell Grant, the student must:

  1. Be matriculated.
  2. Be registered at least half-time.
  3. Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible program as an undergraduate student at the institution.
  4. Meet one of the following citizenship criteria:
    1. Be a U.S. citizen.
    2. Be a permanent resident of the U.S.; or
    3. Provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that he/she is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose, with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; or
    4. Be a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress according to the standards and practices of the institution.
  6. Not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, Supplement Grant or State Student Incentive received to meet the cost of attending the institution;
  7. Not be in default on any National Defense/Direct Student Loan (also known as Perkins Loan), Stafford Student Loan, or Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) received to meet the cost of attending the institution.
  8. Not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance during the period covered by this grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to students pursuing a first baccalaureate degree. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per academic year. The conditions to be met in order to qualify for a supplemental grant are the same as those listed under Pell Grant above.

Roberta B. Willis Scholarship

CT resident who attend Western Connecticut State University full time.  Recipient must have a federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) within the allowable range.

Eligibility formula: Tuition & Fees (T&F) + $1,200 Books/Supplies (B/S) – Pell Grant – Tuition/Fees gift aid = Willis eligibility

(up to $4,500 need-based annual award amount for full-time students only)

Connecticut State University Grant Aid (CSUG)

Public Act 76-181 authorizes the Board of Trustees for the State University to allocate funds to be given as grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled as matriculated students in a degree granting program. WCSU limits the awarding of these funds to students pursuing their first undergraduate or graduate degree.  Students pursuing a second undergraduate or second graduate degree are ineligible.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).

CHESLA Need-Based Scholarship Program

Recipients must be Connecticut Residents enrolled full time in an undergraduate program.  A student must demonstrate financial need, as determined by by Western’s review of the FAFSA.  Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and must not be in default on any CHESLA Loan.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).

Financial Aid: Available Academic Scholarships

The following merit scholarships are available to incoming freshmen upon admission to WCSU. Incoming students who have been accepted by February 1st and meet the below criteria will be considered.

Students accepted as SAT optional are not eligible for the scholarships described below.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

The Presidential Merit Scholarship is awarded to students who achieved the highest standard of scholastic achievement.  The scholarship covers in-state tuition and fees which is renewable each semester over a four-year course of study.  The students must maintain a 3.2 grade point average for the duration of their undergraduate academic career at Western, and remain a full-time student, active in the Kathwari Honors Program.  Students who fail to maintain eligibility requirements will be notified by email to their university email account, and will be given 10 days to appeal their ineligible status using the Scholarship Appeal Request Form.  In order to qualify for the Presidential Merit Scholarship at a minimum the students must have a 1340 combined on the math and critical reading sections of the SATs, or a composite on the ACT of a 29, in addition to a 90 un-weighted high school grade point average.  Students may receive the Presidential Merit Scholarship for no longer than 8 semesters.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).

Connecticut State University (CSU) Trustee Scholarship

The Trustee Scholarship distinguishes students for their outstanding scholastic achievement.  Students are awarded $3,000.00 annually and it is renewable each year over a four-year course of study.  The students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average for the duration of their undergraduate academic career at Western, and remain a full-time student. These students must also accept a preliminary semester in the Kathwari Honors Program. Students who fail to maintain eligibility requirements will be notified by email to their university email account, and will be given 10 days to appeal their ineligible status using the Scholarship Appeal Request Form.  In order to qualify for the Trustee Scholarship at a minimum the students must have a 1290 combined on the math and critical reading sections of the SATs, or a composite on the ACT of a 27, in addition to a 90 unweighted high school grade point average.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).

Honors Scholarship

The Honors Scholarship awards students for their strong grade point average, test scores, and references.  Students are awarded $1,500.00 annually and it is renewable each year over a four-year course of study.  The students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average for the duration of their undergraduate academic career at Western, and remain a full-time student.  These students must also accept a preliminary semester in the Kathwari Honors Program. Students who fail to maintain eligibility requirements will be notified by email to their university email account, and will be given 10 days to appeal their ineligible status using the Scholarship Appeal Request Form.  In order to qualify for the Honors Scholarship at a minimum the students must have an 1180 combined on the math and critical reading sections of the SATs, or a composite on the ACT of a 24, in addition to an 87 unweighted high school grade point average.

Note: This fund, in combination with other grants, scholarships, and educational assistance awarded to you, may not exceed direct university billed cost(s) of Tuition & Fees and Room & Board (if you are living on-campus).