Skip to content
← Back to WGU's chapter

MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

WGU
Decision sheet

Utah · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

WGU has no automatic merit grid — every scholarship is competitive, applied for through ScholarshipUniverse, and capped at ONE WGU-funded scholarship per degree, layered on top of already-low flat-rate tuition (~$8,300/yr average for bachelor's).

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 6 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.

WGU Competitive Scholarship Portfolio (general)

$500-$10,000 · Published range

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student; apply via ScholarshipUniverse 90 days before to 30 days after the degree start date; current aid-year FAFSA required if eligible; most awards are for new students or returning WGU graduates

Renewal: Per the Scholarship FAQs: 'Recipients of multi-term scholarships must meet on-time progress (OTP) for their scholarship to renew.' Awards are 'divided into a set amount per term' and credited against tuition each term.

Other terms: All scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed; selection considers eligibility, application quality, and (for most funds) financial need. WGU employees and family members eligible for the employee discount are not eligible. No GPA/test grid exists.

https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/faqs.html

University of You Scholarship

$10,000 · Published amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Competitive application via ScholarshipUniverse

Renewal: Not marked as renewable in this record. Ask the school whether renewal is available.

Other terms: Described as 'one of our most substantial scholarships.' Per-term disbursement details on its own page (not opened).

https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships.html

Opportunity Grant

$10,000 · Published amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Competitive application via ScholarshipUniverse

Renewal: Not marked as renewable in this record. Ask the school whether renewal is available.

Other terms: Listed among General Scholarships at $10,000; detail page not opened.

https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships.html

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: WGU's federal-aid-inclusive award package is capped at cost of attendance, but WGU's own scholarship specifically may have future disbursements reduced whenever outside scholarships, grants, or state/federal aid exceed tuition and fees costs — a narrower cap than COA — and WGU states it may reduce future disbursement amounts at any time at its sole discretion.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/western-governors-university/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.