Merit & Interest Based Scholarships
Real costs, real aid, real outcomes: Making world-class education affordable with merit-based awards.
At The College of Wooster, every applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships. In fact, 99% of our students receive some form of aid.
In addition to learning more about our generous merit awards–including up to full tuition–below, we also invite students to share their exceptional talents with our team by applying for our interest-based scholarships. See our interest-based scholarship webpages below.
As a test-optional school, Wooster does not consider SAT or ACT scores in consideration of any merit-based scholarship.
Merit Based Scholarships
The Presidential Scholar and College Scholar awards recognize exceptional academic and extracurricular achievement.
Our most prestigious scholarship awards full tuition to students with impeccable academic records, demonstrated commitment to their communities, and clear evidence of ability to positively impact the Wooster community.
To be considered for the Presidential Scholar award, students must submit their application for admission by November 1.
-
No separate scholarship application for the Presidential Scholar award – students will be nominated to compete for the award based on their admissions materials.
-
Nominated semi-finalists will receive notification about additional scholarship steps no later than February 1, 2026.
-
Presidential Scholars will be announced by March 15, 2026.
-
Typically awarded to students with unweighted GPAs of 3.8 or higher in a rigorous curriculum and/or rank, if applicable, in the top 15% of their class.
-
Renewed annually by maintaining a 3.0 GPA and good academic standing as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards.
-
Eligible applicants are new entering domestic and international First-Year students.
-
Not dependent on financial need**
Awarded to students with outstanding academic records and demonstrated potential to positively impact the Wooster community.
To be considered for the College Scholar award, students must submit their application for admission by November 1.
-
There is no separate scholarship application for the College Scholar award. Selection is based on admissions application materials.
-
College Scholar awards are offered with the admissions decision.
-
Typically awarded to students with unweighted GPAs of 3.6 or higher in a rigorous curriculum and/or rank, if applicable, in the top 20% of their class.
-
Renewed annually by maintaining good academic standing as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards.
-
Eligible applicants are new entering domestic and international First-Year students.
-
Not dependent on financial need**
$25,000 – $43,000
Awarded to students based on their academic record as well as service and involvement.
- There is no separate scholarship application for the Dean’s Scholar award. Selection is based on admissions application materials.
- Dean’s Scholar awards are offered with the admissions decision.
- Renewed annually by maintaining good academic standing as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards.
- Eligible applicants are new entering domestic First-Year and Transfer students.
- Available with all decision rounds
- Not dependent on financial need
*The maximum annual amount of Wooster merit scholarships is capped at full tuition annually, and scholarships and awards can be applied only to tuition charges. If Presidential Scholar is awarded, all other merit scholarships awarded become honorary for all four years. Prospective students may apply for more than one interest-based scholarship. The Presidential Scholar, College Scholar, and Dean’s Scholar are mutually exclusive. The interest-based and performing arts scholarships are renewable when qualifications and criteria are met. Scholarship award amounts will be finalized prior to notification of admission.
**Students who are eligible for and awarded a tuition benefit such as the Great Lakes College Association (GLCA) program, Wooster’s employee tuition remission, or Veteran’s Education Benefits may choose to apply for the merit scholarships noted above, but if awarded, the scholarship and award status will be honorary only.
Notes & Conditions
* Award amount based on 2026-27 tuition; actual amounts will be determined when The College officially sets tuition for the upcoming academic year. Award amounts are renewed at the same dollar amount as initially awarded upon admission. Only First-Year students are eligible.
** The College of Wooster remains need-aware for international applicants.
The maximum annual amount of Wooster merit scholarships is capped at full tuition annually, and scholarships and awards can be applied only to tuition charges. If Presidential Scholar is awarded, all other merit scholarships awarded become honorary for all four years. Prospective students may apply for more than one interest-based scholarship. The Presidential Scholar, College Scholar and Dean’s Scholar are mutually exclusive. The interest-based and performing arts scholarships are renewable when qualifications and criteria are met. Scholarship award amounts will be finalized prior to notification of admission.
Students who are eligible for and awarded a tuition benefit such as the Great Lakes College Association (GLCA) program, Wooster’s employee tuition remission, or Veteran’s Education Benefits may choose to apply for the merit scholarships noted above, but if awarded, the scholarship and award status will be honorary only.
Interest-based Scholarships
Interest-based scholarships at Wooster require a scholarship application in addition to the application for admission. Please see details about each scholarship’s selection process and important deadlines below.
Applications for the Fall 2026 Covenant Scholarship have closed.
-
Awards are made to incoming first-year students who are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who have demonstrated academic achievement and involvement in one’s community and church.
-
Applications will be accepted until midnight EST on December 15, 2025, for notification by January 15, 2026. Note that Early Decision Applicants must submit their scholarship application by the November 1, 2025, Early Decision deadline.
-
Receive $1,000 to $3,000 per year (in addition to a Dean’s Scholar, if applicable).
-
For students who attend a Presbyterian Church USA and wish to apply, please follow these instructions for full consideration of the Covenant Scholarship:
-
Complete the general application for admission. Covenant Scholarship applicants must apply Early Decision I or Early Action.
-
Complete the Covenant Scholarship Application Form.
-
Applications for the Fall 2026 Model UN
Leadership Award have closed.
The skills and perspectives nurtured through Model UN strongly connect with Wooster’s mission to prepare graduates to become leaders of character and influence in an interdependent, global community.
The Model UN Leadership Award, valued at $2,000 annually, recognizes first-year applicants who demonstrate leadership and growth through their high school Model UN experiences and intend to continue to do so at Wooster. They will join Wooster’s Model UN, which is consistently recognized for its award-winning success at two national conferences.
In order to renew the scholarship annually, award recipients are expected to fully participate in Wooster’s Model UN activities by trying out for the traveling team at least one semester of each academic year (our Model UN starts fresh to prepare for a new conference each semester). If they are not named to the traveling team, award recipients must contribute as part of the research team.
-
Awarded to incoming first-year students based on skills in music performance or composition. These scholarships:
-
Are awarded during your senior year of high school (transfer students are, unfortunately, not eligible)
-
Range from $2,000 to $8,000 per year
-
Do not require you to major or minor in music at Wooster
-
Reduce private lesson fees from $780 to $30 per semester for half-hour weekly lessons on your audition instrument
-
Are only available for voice, composition, and instruments for which the College offers private instruction.
-
Please audition in only one scholarship area.
Applications for Fall 2026 Scottish Arts Scholarships have closed.
The Scottish Arts Scholarship is awarded to first-year students (transfers are not eligible) on the basis of music performance skills demonstrated at the audition. Students can receive $2,000 to $8,000 per year. In addition, lesson fees for a student holding a Scottish Arts Scholarship are reduced to $25/semester for half-hour weekly private lessons on the instrument of your audition. Please note that you should only apply for one scholarship area. Recipients are not required to major or minor in music at Wooster.
Applications for Fall 2026 Theatre & Dance Scholarships have closed.
Awarded to first-year students (transfers not eligible) on the basis of acting, directing, playwriting, design and technology, stage management, or dance. Students can receive $2,000 to $8,000 per year. Applicants should apply in the area in which they wish to focus their time and skills on while at Wooster. Scholarship recipients are not required to major or minor in Theatre and Dance at Wooster.