INFORMATION FOR
Criteria and award amounts are subject to change.
Generous merit-based scholarship funds are awarded to incoming freshmen (students applying to William Paterson University directly from high school) based on various criteria described below. All admitted freshmen for the fall or spring semesters are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships and no separate application is required. Award recipients are notified in writing within two weeks of their admission to the University. Eligible students who complete the admission application process after the published deadline will only be considered for a scholarship award if funds are available.
All fall scholarship recipients who are U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents or Eligible Non-Citizens are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1, and must accept all need-based financial federal and state grants.
Students applying for the WPOnline programs are not eligible for any of the freshmen scholarships or Honors College admission. If a student is awarded a scholarship and changes from the on-campus to WPOnline program, their scholarship will not be carried over.
William Paterson University is test-optional for Trustee Scholarships. William Paterson University Trustee Scholarships range from $5,000 to $9,000 per year and are designed to recognize high-achieving high school students for their academic accomplishments. Award criteria and amounts are in the table below.
Notes:
Trustee Scholarships are automatically awarded on a first-come first served basis to students who have been admitted to the University; no separate application is required. These awards are packaged with all other sources of merit and need-based financial aid. The priority deadline – for receipt of the application and all required supporting documents - for this scholarship is January 1 for the Fall Semester and November 1 for the spring semester.
Trustee Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters). This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
All freshmen who are admitted to and enroll in the William Paterson University Honors College receive a $5,000 per year merit scholarship. This award is in addition to any other institutional scholarship. Admission to the University Honors College is highly competitive.
Freshman are considered for Honors College admission based on three of the five areas below. Where appropriate, year prior average statistics of enrolling Honors College students are noted.
Students who wish to be considered for this scholarship must complete and submit the online University Honors College Application, which includes a short essay. Interested candidates may contact the Director of the University Honors College for additional information at 973.720.3658 or honors@wpunj.edu.
University Honors College Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first served basis to applicants who meet the Honors College admissions criteria and who have been admitted to the University, beginning in October of the applicant’s senior year in high school. Admission requires a completed Honors College application. These awards are packaged with all other sources of merit and need-based financial aid. Honors College admission is for the Fall semester only. The priority application deadline for this scholarship was March 1, although applications will continue to be reviewed until the program is full.
University Honors College Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters). Recipients must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 and membership in the University Honors College. This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
All high school seniors admitted to degree programs in Music and BFA Art are considered for a limited number of Trustee Talent Scholarships. Students who demonstrate an exceptional level of potential creative talent in their music audition or portfolio review are automatically considered for this scholarship. Scholarship recipients are selected by the faculty in the Music and Art departments. No special application is required. The priority application deadline for this scholarship is February 1 for the Fall Semester and November 1 for the Spring Semester.
Trustee Talent Scholarships for freshman are renewable for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters). This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
The Spring Scholarship Deadline for transfer students is November 1. The Fall Scholarship Deadline for transfer students is June 1.
Students who, after graduating from high school, began their studies at a college or university other than William Paterson University are considered transfer students. Merit scholarships for transfer students are extremely competitive.
For priority consideration, all supporting documents must be received by June 1 for Fall Semesters and November 1 for Spring Semesters, unless otherwise noted in a scholarship description. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
All scholarship recipients who are U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents or Eligible Non-Citizens are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 and must accept all need-based financial federal and state grants. The University reserves the right to rescind your scholarship award if you fail to file the FAFSA. There are no exceptions.
Students applying for the WPOnline programs are not eligible for any of the transfer scholarships or Honors College admission. If a student is awarded a transfer scholarship and changes from the on-campus to WPOnline program, their scholarship will not be carried over.
Students who transfer to William Paterson University and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and 30 credits accepted to the University are eligible to receive a $1,000 – $3,000 per year Presidential scholarship. This scholarship is automatically awarded on a first-come first served basis to students who have been admitted to the University; no separate application is required. The Presidential Scholarship may be combined with the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.
Transfer Presidential Scholarships are renewable for up to two years (four consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters) or completion of a bachelor’s degree (whichever occurs first). This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
Transfer students from two-year institutions who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, admitted to and enroll in William Paterson University receive a $2,000 per year scholarship.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships are renewable for up to two years (four consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters). This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship may be combined with the Presidential Scholarship. Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for a University Honors College Scholarship if admitted to and enrolled in the University Honors College. A copy of your Phi Theta Kappa membership card is required for proof of membership and to be considered for this award. This copy may be mailed, faxed (973.720.2910) or scanned/emailed to Admissions, by December 1 for Spring and by June 1 for Fall.
Transfer students from two and four-year institutions who are admitted to and enroll in the William Paterson University Honors College may receive a $5,000 annual merit scholarship. Typically, students should have an outstanding secondary school record and a college cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher. The determination of admission to the University Honors College will also be based on the applicant's ability to complete the requirements for University Honors College students within a reasonable time frame.
Students who wish to be considered for this scholarship must complete and submit the online University Honors College Application. Interested candidates may contact the Director of the University Honors College for additional information at 973.720.3658 or honors@wpunj.edu.
University Honors College Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first served basis to applicants who meet the Honors College admissions criteria and who have been admitted to the University. These awards are packaged with all other sources of merit and need-based financial aid. Honors College admission is for the Fall semester only. The priority application deadline for this scholarship was March 1, although applications will continue to be reviewed on a space-available basis until the program is full.
Transfer students are considered for Honors College admission based on a review of the following areas:
University Honors College Scholarships are renewable for up to two years (four consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters) and recipients must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 and membership in the University Honors College. This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
All transfer students admitted to degree programs in Music and BFA Art are considered for a limited number of Trustee Talent Scholarships. Students who demonstrate an exceptional level of potential creative talent in their music audition or portfolio review are automatically considered for this scholarship. Scholarship recipients are selected by the faculty in the Music and Art departments. No special application is required. The priority application deadline for this scholarship is February 1 for the Fall Semester and November 1 for the Spring Semester.
Trustee Talent Scholarships for transfer students are renewable for up to two years (four consecutive semesters of full-time study during the fall and spring semesters). This scholarship does not apply to Winter Session or Summer Session courses. Academic performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who do not satisfy the criteria for the renewal of their scholarship award are notified in writing.
Students who graduate in the top 15% of their high school class may be eligible to receive a NJ STARS I award for attendance at the New Jersey county college where they reside. A complete description of this program is available at NJ Stars. NJ STARS I students who earn an associate's degree and have the requisite cumulative G.P.A. qualify for a $2500 per year for two years scholarship at William Paterson University through the STARS II scholarship program. The scholarship is for four consecutive semesters (fall and spring only) and covers up to 19 credits per semester. To renew the scholarship for the third and fourth semesters, an NJ STARS II student must earn the requisite cumulative G.P.A. required at NJ Stars.
Note that NJ STARS II may be combined with a Presidential Scholarship or a University Honors College Scholarship if admitted to and enrolled in the University Honors College.
This scholarship is program designed to cover higher education tuition and fee expenses for children and spouses of those who died in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Recipient must be a resident of and attend a college in New Jersey. Contact the Office of Financial Aid by email or phone 973-720-3945.
