The Presidential Scholar and College Scholar Awards recognize exceptional academic and extracurricular achievement.
Presidential Scholar
Full Tuition*
- Our most prestigious scholarship awards full tuition to students with impeccable academic records, demonstrated commitment to their communities, and clear evidence of ability to positively impact the Wooster community.
- To be considered for the Presidential Scholar Award, students must apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Early Action.
- No separate scholarship application for the Presidential Scholar Award – students will be nominated to compete for the award based on their admissions materials.
- Nominated semi-finalists will receive notification about additional scholarship steps no later than February 1, 2026.
- Presidential Scholar Award winners will be announced by March 15, 2026.
- Typically awarded to students with unweighted GPAs of 3.8 or higher in a rigorous curriculum and/or rank, if applicable, in the top 15% of their class.
- Renewed annually by maintaining a 3.0 GPA and good academic standing as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards.
- Eligible applicants are new entering domestic and international First-Year students.
- Not dependent on financial need**
College Scholar
3/4 Tuition*
2/3 Tuition*
- Awarded to students with outstanding academic records and demonstrated potential to positively impact the Wooster community.
- To be considered for the College Scholar Award, students must apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Early Action.
- There is no separate scholarship application for the College Scholar Award. Selection is based on admissions application materials.
- College Scholar Awards are offered with the admissions decision.
- Typically awarded to students with unweighted GPAs of 3.6 or higher in a rigorous curriculum and/or rank, if applicable, in the top 20% of their class.
- Renewed annually by maintaining good academic standing as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards.
- Eligible applicants are new entering domestic and international First-Year students.
- Not dependent on financial need**
*Award amount based on 2025-26 tuition; actual amounts will be determined when The College officially sets tuition for the upcoming academic year. Award amounts are renewed at the same dollar amount as initially awarded upon admission. Only First-Year students are eligible.
**The College of Wooster remains need-aware for international applicants.
The maximum annual amount of Wooster merit scholarships is capped at full tuition annually, and scholarships can be applied only to tuition charges. Prospective students may apply for more than one interest-based scholarship. The Presidential Scholar, College Scholar and Dean’s Scholar are mutually exclusive. The interest-based and performing arts scholarships are renewable when qualifications and criteria are met. Scholarship award amounts will be finalized prior to notification of admission.
Students who are eligible for and awarded a tuition benefit such as the Great Lakes College Association (GLCA) program, Wooster’s employee tuition remission, or Veteran’s Education Benefits may choose to apply for the merit scholarships noted above, but if awarded, the scholarship status will be honorary only.