First-time Freshmen Scholarships
92% of freshmen receive grants or scholarships.
We award scholarships based on criteria like academic merit, financial need, leadership, and service. In-state and out-of-state students, including test-optional applicants, can qualify. And best of all, some scholarships “stack,” which means you can get more than 1.
See what scholarships you could receive.
Fall 2026 Merit Scholarships
You’ve done the hard work. Now let us reward you, without any extra effort on your part!
When you apply to WVU, we automatically consider you for merit scholarships. Most Climb Higher Scholarship levels are based on high school GPA alone. The highest level also considers ACT or SAT scores.
Climb Higher Scholarship | In-State Amount | Out-of-State Amount |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 (3.8+ GPA and ACT ≥30 or SAT ≥1360) | $5,000 | $17,000 |
Level 2 (3.8+ GPA) | $3,500 | $14,000 |
Level 3 (3.5-3.79 GPA) | $2,500 | $11,000 |
Level 4 (3.0-3.49 GPA) | $1,500 | $8,000 |
Note: We use a weighted GPA if provided on the high school transcript. WVU rounds high school GPAs to the second decimal point (e.g., 4.195 is rounded up to 4.2 while 4.19 stays at 4.19). Applies to WVU Morgantown. Learn more about financial aid.
Our merit scholarships are:
Automatic
When you apply for admission, we check your academic record for scholarship eligibility. It’s that simple. No separate application. No recommendations or essays.
Non-competitive
That means if your GPA/test score qualifies, you get the scholarship. You’re not competing against other applicants.
Renewable
These scholarships renew past your freshman year, as long as you maintain certain requirements.
How to apply
We automatically review your admissions application for merit scholarships.
No Separate Application
Most merit scholarships don’t require a separate application. We automatically review your admissions application to see if you’re eligible.
Other WVU scholarships, such as leadership scholarships, require a separate application.
Deadline: August 1
First-time freshmen must be admitted by August 1 to be considered for merit scholarships. See our merit deadline FAQ for answers to common questions.
Other WVU scholarships may have different deadlines.
Update Your Scores
After you’re admitted, you may submit an updated GPA or test score through August 1.
GPA changes for admitted students require submitting a GPA update request in MyWVU.
To submit new scores, see our test score send options.
Other WVU Scholarships
You may also be eligible for other scholarships within the University. Application procedures and deadlines vary by scholarship.
Leadership Scholarships
Requires a separate application.
Leadership Scholarships are offered to students who’ve achieved the highest levels of honor or leadership within certain nationally acclaimed organizations (4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.).
Departmental or College Scholarships
May require a separate application.
Many WVU academic units offer scholarships to students in certain majors. Some are available to first-time freshman students. Others are for returning students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors).
Need Help?
We're here to help every step of the way.
Financial Aid
Already admitted to WVU? We can help with questions about the FAFSA, your aid offer, accepting aid, and submitting external scholarships to WVU. Use the WVU Hub to request assistance.
Admissions Counselors
Your WVU admissions counselor can answer questions about submitting your application, your next steps after admission, and much more.
Office of Admissions
Our Admissions staff can assist with any questions as you apply to WVU. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (except University holidays). Call us at 304-293-2121 or fill out our contact form.
