Freshman Merit Scholarship - WSU

Who can apply

• Incoming domestic high school senior entering Wichita State in the semester immediately after high school graduation, admitted as a degree-bound student with at least six semesters of high school coursework.
• Have at least a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA AND a minimum composite score of 21 ACT or 1060 SAT for Freshman Merit Scholarship consideration.
• Apply for admission by December 1, 2026 for priority consideration for 2027–2028; later applications depend on available funds.
• Award amounts depend on GPA, test scores, residency and tuition-discount eligibility; students may receive only the highest-value award for which they qualify from the freshman merit or university academic categories.
• Provide official graduation transcripts and official ACT or SAT scores by July 1 for payment; updated scores for reconsideration must arrive by May 1 of the senior year.
• Renewal requires at least a 3.0 overall and semester GPA and at least 24 successfully completed credit hours each academic year.
• Awards apply to direct costs such as tuition, student fees and on-campus housing, not deposits; funding is not guaranteed.

About the scholarship

The Freshman Merit Scholarship at Wichita State University provides annual awards based on unweighted high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, and residency or tuition-discount status. Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year for Kansas residents and students with tuition discounts, and from $1,500 to $6,000 per year for other out-of-state students. The priority deadline is December 1, 2026 for the 2027–2028 academic year. The scholarship may continue for four consecutive academic years or until the first bachelor’s degree, subject to renewal requirements.