Scholarship and Award Programs for Traditional Students


Since its inception in 1956, North Carolina is proud of its heritage in supporting students in their quest for success in higher education. This legacy of assistance still continues today. Explore scholarship opportunities and learn about available merit-based, need-based, and departmental awards to help fund your education.

Meritorious Scholarships for both freshman and transfer traditional students are awarded during the admissions process. Please contact your admissions counselor or the admissions department at admissions@ncwu.edu with any questions regarding these scholarships and awards.

Meritorious Level Scholarships for Incoming Freshman Students*

Recipients must maintain the required GPA or higher in college coursework, maintain satisfactory academic progress and be enrolled full-time in the traditional program.

Founders’ Award* Beneficiaries of the Founders’ Award* may receive up to Full Tuition, Room (double only), Board & Books. Award amounts vary.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3.75 Weighted GPA
  • Must maintain GPA of 2.95
  • Completion of FAFSA is required
  • Scholarship is awarded for 8 semesters (based on full time status). Selection process includes interview.

Scholarship not guaranteed; selection of recipients will be determined by interview performance (limited amount available)

President’s Scholarship
Beneficiaries of the President’s Scholarship receive a scholarship of $20,000.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3.30 Weighted GPA
  • Must maintain GPA of 2.75
Dean’s Scholarship
Beneficiaries of the Dean’s Scholarship receive a scholarship of $18,000.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 Weighted GPA
  • Must maintain GPA of 2.6
Wesleyan Scholarship
Beneficiaries of the Wesleyan Scholarship receive a scholarship of $15,000.

Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 Weighted GPA
  • Must maintain GPA of 2.3
Bishop Opportunity Award (BOA)
Beneficiaries of the Bishop Opportunity Award receive a scholarship of $10,000.

Requirements

  • Minimum 2.3 Weighted GPA
  • Must maintain GPA of 2.0

Not a Merit-based Scholarship. Must meet admissions criteria.

University Scholarships Criteria Conditions:

University scholarships may be suspended based on academic performance. Review will take place at the end of every academic year once final grades have been posted in May.

  • Receipt of an outside scholarship may reduce your university scholarship or award.
  • Scholarships or awards are restricted to undergraduate programs.
  • NCWU admissions is test blind; therefore, SAT/ACT scores are not required for acceptance. 

*Completion of FAFSA is highly recommended and award is inclusive of any other financial aid in which the student is eligible as well as the Founders’ Award, Pell Grant and NC Need-Based Grant. Free room for Founders’ Award is a double room.

Scholarships for TRANSFER Students*

NCWU offers Meritorious Levels Awards for students who are planning on transferring to NC Wesleyan. Recipients must maintain GPA of 2.0 or higher in college coursework, maintain Satisfactory Academic  Progress and be enrolled full-time in the Traditional Program.

Transfer Award Gold Beneficiaries of the Transfer Award Gold receive a scholarship of $15,500.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3.5+ GPA
Transfer Award Blue Beneficiaries of the Transfer Award Blue receive a scholarship of $13,500.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
Transfer Award White Beneficiaries of the Transfer Award White receive a scholarship of $10,500.

Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
Transfer Opportunity Beneficiaries of the Transfer Opportunity (TOA) receive a scholarship of $7,500.

Requirements

  • Minimum 2.0 GPA
2+ Wesleyan Grant
Beneficiaries of the 2+ Wesleyan Grant receive a scholarship of $2,000.

Requirements

A grant awarded to traditional full-time students who have graduated (with an overall GPA of 2.0+) from a community college with an Associates Degree. The award is only for students completing a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (fall and spring only).

* All scholarships require completion of FAFSA. Award amounts may change without notice.

To request applications for any non-meritorious scholarship or awards, email the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@ncwu.edu.

Special Distinction and Participation Awards for Traditional Day Students

If you have already received an aid package and this award was not included in that package, your eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid will be reevaluated. In compliance with federal regulations, state requirements and institutional policy, your aid package may be revised. You will be notified if a revision is made.

Honors Award

Beneficiaries of the Taylor-Crocker Honors Award receive varying amounts of scholarship funds.

Requirements

Legacy Award

Beneficiaries of the Traditional Student Legacy Awards receive $2,000

Requirements

  • Students with GPA 3.0+, whose parents or grandparents graduated from NCWU

International Award

Beneficiaries of the International Award receive a scholarship of $5,500.

Requirements

  • New International Students (On-Campus Only)
  • Awarded during the admissions process

United Methodist Award

Beneficiaries of the United Methodist Award receive a scholarship of $2,000.

Requirements

Application for UMC Award and letter from pastor confirming active membership in either of the following:

  • United Methodist Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Epicopal) Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Zion Church
  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION >

United Methodist Award (Returning Students)

Beneficiaries of the United Methodist Award receive a scholarship of $2,000.

Requirements

Application for UMC Award and letter from pastor confirming active membership in either of the following:

  • United Methodist Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Epicopal) Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Zion Church
  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION >

Ministerial Award

Beneficiaries of the Ministerial Award receive a 50% reduction for tuition, room & board, books.

Award is inclusive of all institutional scholarships and grants.

Requirements

  • Dependent of full-time, licensed ordained ministers of a United Methodist Church in the NC Conference.  Also extends to all denominations residing in Nash, Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Johnston, Wake, Warren and Wilson. (replaces all other institutional funds)

Eagle Scouts/Girl Scouts Scholarship

Beneficiaries of the Eagle Scouts/Girl Scouts Scholarship receive a scholarship of $1,000.

Requirements

  • Students who are an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient

Shelton Challenge Scholarship

Beneficiaries of the Shelton Challenge Scholarship receive a scholarship of $1,000.

Requirements

Phi Theta Kappa/ Gamma Beta Phi Award

Beneficiaries of the Phi Theta Kappa/Gamma Beta Phi Award receive a scholarship of $1,000.

Requirements

  • Must be a transfer student with an Associate’s Degree and have been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa or Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.

ROTC Award

Beneficiaries of the ROTC Award receive varying amounts of scholarship funds.

Requirements

  • GPA 2.5; SAT 1000+; ACT 19+; must meet physical standards and agree to serve in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard
  • Student’s with GPA 2.5; SAT 1000+; ACT 19+; student must also meet physical standards and agree to serve in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Fine Arts Award

Beneficiaries of the Fine Arts Award receive varying amounts of scholarship funds..

Requirements

  • Band/Wesleyan Singers/Wesleyan Players

Cheer & Dance Award

Beneficiaries of the Cheer & Dance Award receive varying amounts of scholarship funds.

Requirements

  • Students who participate on the Cheer or Dance team

Other Scholarships

For Traditional Students or Adult & Professional Studies Students

Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship

Beneficiaries of the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship receive an award of $3,500 a year for up to four years to high school seniors and $3,500 a year for up to three years to community college transfer students.

Requirements

  • Be a North Carolina resident, residing in a qualifying North Carolina county.
  • Be a high school senior enrolling full-time in the fall as a first-year student or a currently enrolled community college transfer student enrolling full-time in the fall.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Be able to communicate an intent to return to a qualifying county after graduation from college.

Apply Here >

Adult Studies United Methodist Scholarship

Beneficiaries of the Adult Studies United Methodist Scholarship receive an award of 20% of tuition for full-time students, Fall and Spring only.

Requirements

Application for UMC Award and letter from pastor confirming active membership in either of the following:

  • United Methodist Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Epicopal) Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Zion Church
  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION >

Adult Studies United Methodist Scholarship- RETURNING Students

Beneficiaries of the Adult Studies United Methodist Scholarship receive an award of 20% of tuition for full-time students, Fall and Spring only.

Requirements

Application for UMC Award and letter from pastor confirming active membership in either of the following:

  • United Methodist Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Epicopal) Church
  • A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Zion Church
  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION >

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) Scholarships

Each year, UMHEF invites students to apply for chances at more than $2 million in scholarships awarded by UMHEF every year. Applications are typically open from January 1 – March 1 for the following academic year.

How to Apply for United Methodist College Scholarships | UMHEF

Higher Education & Ministry Scholarships (The United Methodist Church)

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) Scholarships offers financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, we award an average of $5.5 million to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education.

Learn more about GBHEM – Scholarships for Further Education

Need Based Awards

FAFSA is required for all need based awards. Use Federal School Code number: 002951.

Federal Pell Grant

Beneficiaries of the Federal Pell Grant receive an amount determined by FAFSA application or funds up to $11,092.

Requirements

  • Need-based; FAFSA completion required

Federal Direct Student Loan

Beneficiaries of the Federal Direct Student Loan receive between $5,500-$12,500.

Requirements

  • Based on grade level and dependency status; FAFSA completion required

LEARN MORE >

Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans

Beneficiaries of the Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans receive varying amounts of funds.

Requirements

  • A credit check will be completed during the application process and you must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (Direct PLUS Loan MPN); FAFSA completion required

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Federal Work-Study

Beneficiaries of the Federal Work-Study receive varying amounts of funds. Federal work program to assist students with payment of educational costs. Eligibility is based on the results of the FAFSA. Note: Students are paid directly for work study hours earned and funds cannot be subtracted from the student account balance.

Requirements

  • Need-based; FAFSA completion required

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Federal SEOG Grant

Beneficiaries of the Federal SEOG Grant receive up to $4,000.

Requirements

  • Need-based for high need; FAFSA completion required (Preference to non-NC residents)

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NC Need-Based Scholarship

Beneficiaries of the NC Need-Based Scholarship receive varying amounts of funds.

Requirements

  • NC resident for at least two years; FAFSA and NC residency determination completion required

LEARN MORE >

New 2024 Unique Participation Scholarships

NC Wesleyan offers scholarship opportunities to students who have a desire and passion for being part of 2 unique areas on campus. You can participate on our Cheer and Dance Team or share your talents on the University’s oldest performing ensembles, Wesleyan Singers.

These participation awards/scholarships are unique offers that are effective in Spring 2024 and beyond. Contact our admissions office TODAY at admissions@ncwu.edu or call 252.985.5200 and take advantage of saving on tuition while being part of these special groups on campus.

Wesleyan Singers Scholarship

SHARE. BUILD. PERFORM.

Take the next step toward broadening your performance skills. Beginning this Spring 2024, all new students who commit to NC Wesleyan University and join the Wesleyan Singers will receive a $2,000 scholarship* (per year enrolled). Auditions are required, as a member you will learn and perform a wide variety of music genres, including Classical, Show Tunes, Spirituals, and Popular Sections. Annual Performances: Fall Concert, Campus Events, Spring Concert, Community Celebrations and more!

*Applies to new students entering in Spring 2024 and beyond. Does not apply to existing students. Must remain in the Wesleyan Singers each year to continue to receive scholarship.

Cheer & Dance Scholarship

LEAD. SUPPORT. INSPIRE.

Develop the best version of yourself! Become part of our bishop, spirit family and meet new friends, experience new places, and make new memories. Beginning Spring 2024, all new recruits accepted to NC Wesleyan University’s cheer or dance team will receive a $2,500 scholarship* (per year enrolled).

*Applies to new recruits entering in Spring 2024 and beyond. Does not apply to existing students. Must remain an active squad member each year to continue receiving scholarship.