First-year undergraduate scholarships
Wayne State University offers a variety of scholarships to incoming first-year undergraduates to recognize scholastic achievement.
Complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all available funding.
Awards for new students - fall 2025
-
For maximum scholarship consideration, you must complete the undergraduate admission application (including submission of all transcripts and test scores) by December 1, 2024
-
The final deadline for scholarship consideration is April 1, 2025
- President's Award for National Merit Scholarship Finalists
- Warrior Award
- Gold Award
- Detroit Leadership Award
- Green Award
- Scholar Award
- Wayne Med-Direct
- Athletic Awards
Awards are offered to the strongest admissions applicants based on GPA and optional ACT/SAT scores.
Test optional merit awarding If no test score is submitted prior to admission, we will evaluate your eligibility for an award based on your high school GPA. If you submit a test score after admission, before the scholarship deadline, we will review your eligibility for a higher award. We will not reduce your award due to the late submission of a test score.
You are eligible to be considered for a freshman award if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are a current senior in high school who will enter college after graduation.
- You are a high school graduate who has not yet earned credit at a community college, college or university.
- You are a GED holder who has not yet earned credit at a community college, college or university.
Wayne State University students can receive only one of the following merit awards: Anthony Wayne, Detroit Leadership, Gold, Green, WSU Scholar, Math Corps, President's, Warrior, Wayne Med-Direct or talent award.
All scholarships are subject to the availability of funds, and all awards are available during the fall and winter semesters only. The sum of all aid received cannot exceed the student's financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
If you are chosen for an award and you decide not to attend Wayne State University for the academic year, you will forfeit your award. To be considered for an award in a future year, you will need to reapply to the university. Award availability, amounts and eligibility requirements for new students may be revised yearly.
Wayne State University is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student population. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for admission, and all incoming students will be considered for merit awards. Only citizens of the United States and eligible non-citizens need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for other available funding.
The total amount of financial aid cannot exceed the estimated cost of attendance (student budget). If the total of your awards is greater than your cost of attendance, WSU may limit institutional grant and scholarship amounts.
All awards require that you make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree program.