Westminster University announced its 2026-27 scholarship designations on Friday, offering merit-based awards that reach up to $32,000 for qualifying students. The university's financial aid program provides automatic consideration for incoming first-year and transfer students, including international applicants, based on academic achievement and entrance exam scores.
Merit-Based Award Tiers
The university's merit-based awards for the 2026-27 academic year are tied directly to a student's cumulative grade point average. The highest honor, the Westminster President's Scholarship, provides $32,000 for students maintaining a GPA of 3.9 or higher. Other tiered awards include the Westminster Provost's Scholarship, which offers $28,000 for students with a GPA between 3.70 and 3.89, and the Westminster Dean's Scholarship, providing $25,000 for those with a GPA between 3.50 and 3.69.
GPA-Based Scholarship Details
Students with a cumulative GPA between 3.00 and 3.49 are eligible for the $20,000 Westminster Faculty Scholarship. Additionally, the university offers a Westminster Award of $15,000 to students with a cumulative GPA lower than 3.0. These merit-based scholarships are renewable for students who maintain good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress, and they are designed to support up to eight semesters of study.
Specialized and Honors Scholarships
In addition to standard merit awards, Westminster University offers specialized scholarships for specific talents and academic tracks. Talent-based scholarships are available in fields including theatre, music, athletics, computer science, and dance. These awards are typically granted through auditions, interviews, competitions, or tryouts. The university also provides Honors College scholarships, such as the Honors Academic Excellence Scholarship, for first-year students who demonstrate leadership, visibility, and academic excellence.
Financial Aid and Commitments
Westminster University also maintains a specific commitment to local students through the Westminster Commitment, which aims to cover the cost of tuition for qualifying students from Utah. Furthermore, undergraduate first-year and transfer students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are considered for institutional grants based on income.
BBA Program Eligibility
Certain academic programs have different eligibility rules regarding institutional aid. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program are not eligible for Westminster merit scholarships. According to the university, this is because the BBA program already provides a reduced tuition rate that cannot be combined with institutional merit awards.
Eligibility for Continuing Students
The university's scholarship structure extends beyond incoming students to include current and graduate students. Continuing students remain eligible to apply for additional institutional scholarships, external scholarships, and specific continuing student scholarships. Graduate students are also eligible to apply for external scholarships as well as institutional scholarships that are based on their specific academic programs.
Contacting Financial Aid
Prospective students are encouraged to meet with an admissions counselor to ensure a complete application profile. For more information regarding the full list of available scholarships or specific terms and conditions, the university directs students to contact the Financial Aid Office at 801.832.2500 or to submit an inquiry through their online portal.
