The starting point
Wabash (all-male, IN) publishes an automatic unweighted-GPA merit grid ($21,000-$34,000) awarded at admission, layered with a separate competitive Honors/Lilly track that can reach full tuition or a full ride. (DRAFT)
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 8 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Wabash Merit-Based Scholarships (President's / Dean's / Alumni automatic GPA grid)
$21,000-$34,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.00+ unweighted (tier depends on band) · SAT: Test-optional; superscored if submitted · ACT: Test-optional; superscored if submitted
Eligibility: Awarded upon admission; amount within each band set by holistic review of grade trend, curriculum strength, scores if submitted, class rank if available. Grades/scores reviewed through May 1, 2026
Renewal: Renewable annually provided the student attains the cumulative GPA and number of course credits required at the end of each academic year to make normal progress toward graduating in four years. Available for 4 years. Amounts do NOT increase each year.
Other terms: Automatic from the admission application — no separate form. Tier band is set by unweighted HS GPA.
https://www.wabash.edu/admissions/finances/sources
Wabash College Lilly Awards
Full tuition, fees, on-campus housing and food (full ride) · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: 3.5 (4.0 scale) OR top 10% of class OR SAT 1240 (EBRW+M) OR ACT 26 — meet 1 of 3 stated criteria to apply · SAT: 1240 EBRW+M (one qualifying path) · ACT: 26 (one qualifying path)
Eligibility: Submit the Lilly Award application by January 4, 2026; finalists interviewed February 22-23, 2026. Selected on character, creativity, and academic accomplishment
Renewal: Renewable annually; covers tuition, fees, on-campus housing and the standard meal plan each year. More than $240,000 over four years.
Other terms: The College's most prestigious scholarship and the ONLY one needing a separate application. Effectively a full ride (not just full tuition).
https://www.wabash.edu/admissions/finances/sources
Honor Scholarships (Scarlet Honors Weekend)
$2,000-Full tuition · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Apply for admission by December 1, 2025; attend Scarlet Honors Weekend (December 5-6, 2025 OR February 15-16, 2026). Awarded without regard to financial need
Renewal: $2,000 base is guaranteed and renewable for 4 years; larger awards up to full tuition possible.
Other terms: Competitive track separate from the automatic GPA grid; includes named endowed Honor Scholarships (Hadley, McLain-McTurnan-Arnold, etc.).
https://www.wabash.edu/admissions/finances/sources
Ask before you decide
- Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
- What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
- How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?
Recorded stacking policy: Wabash reduces need-based aid only when total awards exceed direct costs of tuition, on-campus housing, the 15-meal plan, and books — fees are not part of that cap; merit-only awards are separately protected below a direct-cost cap of tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and the 15-meal plan, which does not include books.
Our unanswered questions / Family notes
