The starting point
DRAFT: William Carey publishes a fully automatic, test-score-driven academic scholarship grid (no application needed) with explicitly different on-campus vs off-campus amounts, plus a competitive Carey Scholar Award covering up to 30 hours of tuition per year.
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 5 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.
Academic Scholarships — First-Time Freshmen and First-Time International Students (Trustee / Presidential / Dean / Opportunity)
$2,900-$10,100 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
SAT: 1030 minimum (Opportunity); 1260+ for top Trustee tier · ACT: 20 minimum (Opportunity); 27+ for top Trustee tier
Eligibility: CLT accepted (66 minimum; 91+ for Trustee). Only one eligible test score required; WCU uses the highest scored test. Undergraduate, first bachelor's degree, full-time. Amounts differ for on-campus vs off-campus students.
Renewal: Students must be full-time and maintaining the required cumulative GPA to retain their scholarship. GPA to Maintain: Trustee 3.20, Presidential 3.00, Dean 2.75, Opportunity 2.50.
Other terms: No application: 'Students need not apply. Academic scholarships will be determined and awarded by the institution upon review of the student's academic record.' Amounts are for the 2026-2027 academic year, split between semesters.
https://www.wmcarey.edu/office/financial-aid/institutional-aid
Academic Scholarships — Transfer Students (PTK Distinction / Presidential / Dean / Opportunity)
$2,900-$9,800 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Transfer GPA 2.50 minimum (Opportunity); 3.50 for PTK Distinction/Presidential
Eligibility: PTK Distinction additionally requires proof of PTK Membership; students must transfer to WCU from the institution where PTK Membership was obtained. Students with 12+ hours of dual credit in high school, a 3.5+ cumulative GPA, and proof of PTK Membership can also qualify.
Renewal: Students must be full-time and maintaining the required cumulative GPA to retain their scholarship. GPA to Maintain: PTK Distinction 3.20, Presidential 3.00, Dean 2.75, Opportunity 2.50.
Other terms: Same no-application policy as the freshman grid; amounts split between on-campus and off-campus.
https://www.wmcarey.edu/office/financial-aid/institutional-aid
Carey Scholar Award
Tuition for up to 30 credit hours/year + $1,800/year room waiver · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
SAT: 1360+ (EBRW + Math) · ACT: 30+ composite
Eligibility: 99+ CLT also accepted. Competitive: requires 2 letters of recommendation, a 500-700 word MLA essay, and a 3-5 minute video. Fifteen students selected each academic year. Selected students must pay a $300 nonrefundable seat deposit and register at the March Carey Bound event.
Renewal: Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50. Students must complete the FAFSA every year to maintain eligibility.
Other terms: Award covers only hours actually enrolled, max 30/year — front-loading 18 hours in fall leaves only 12 covered in spring. If the student qualifies for a Pell Grant, the award is reduced by 50% of the qualifying Pell Grant. Includes Honors College acceptance.
https://www.wmcarey.edu/office/financial-aid/institutional-aid
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: Major institutional scholarships do not stack with each other unless explicitly noted; only designated 'Add-On' scholarships (and certain awards like Endowed, cheerleading, RA, and most talent scholarships) stack with a major award. Institutional aid is also capped at the student's actual charges — it can never generate a refund — and certain awards (Carey Scholar, Educator Preparation, Teacher Assistant) are reduced by 50% of any qualifying Pell Grant.
Our unanswered questions / Family notes
