Wilkes University offers a variety of financial aid options to help you make your Wilkes education affordable.
Most financial aid packages we award combine scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities. Funding may be provided by the federal government, state government, Wilkes and other private sources.
Types of Funding
Merit Scholarships
Awarded based on academic performance and renewable each year.
- Trustee Scholarship: $28,000
- Presidential Scholarship: $26,000
- Provost Scholarship: $24,000
- Dean Scholarship: $21,000
Blue & Gold Opportunity Grant
Awarded to first-year students who show potential and are not awarded one of the above scholarships.
- $20,000
Hometown Advantage Award
Awarded to first-year students who reside in Luzerne or Lackawanna counties.
- Commuters: $500
- Residents: $2,000
Out-of-State Award
Awarded to students who reside outside of Pennsylvania.
- $2,000
Lehigh Valley Loyal Scholarship
Awarded to first-year students who reside in Lehigh or Northampton counties
- $2,000
The above first-year scholarships and awards are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only; learn more about our international student scholarships. As a first-year student, you may also be eligible for other financial aid. Follow the steps for the undergraduate financial aid process to see how affordable your Wilkes education can be.
Please note: In order to remain eligible for the first-year scholarships and awards, students must be enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking student.
Merit Scholarships
Awarded based on academic performance and renewable each year.
- Range: $15,000 to $19,000
Out-of-State Award
Awarded to students who reside outside of Pennsylvania.
- $2,000
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Awarded to transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, in addition to the transfer scholarship listed above; proof of PTK membership must be submitted with admission application.
- $2,000
The above transfer scholarships and awards are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only; learn more about our international student scholarships. As a transfer student, you may also be eligible for other financial aid. Follow the steps for the undergraduate financial aid process to see how affordable your Wilkes education can be.
Please note: In order to remain eligible for the transfer scholarships and awards, students must be enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking student.
We encourage students to search for additional outside scholarships. When searching scholarships, make sure that scholarship criteria match your college and personal attributes.
Locating Outside Scholarships
You can avoid scholarship searches that charge a fee to participate by using some of these popular free scholarship websites:
- Fast Web external website
- BigFuture (via Collegeboard) external website
- Scholarships.com external website
- Scholarship America external website
- Finaid.org external website
- Peer Lift external website
We also suggest to contact your high school guidance counselor, local civic groups, parents' places of employment, etc. to inquire about scholarship opportunities.
Leadership Scholarships
Leadership scholarships may be available for leaders of student organizations, including
major publications and student government. Typically awarded to returning Wilkes University.
Endowed and Named Scholarships
Endowed and named scholarships are donated by alumni and friends of Wilkes to honor
or memorialize their loved ones. Requirements for these scholarships vary, but most
do not require an application and are automatically awarded to students through matching
criteria established by donors. These scholarships are typically awarded to returning
WIlkes University students.
Veterans Scholarships
If you served our country, Wilkes wants to help you find a way to finance your higher
education. Visit Veterans Services to learn more about the Yellow Ribbon program,
the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and other resources available to veterans.
“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website. external website
Air Force ROTC Scholarships
Full- and partial-tuition scholarships may be awarded based on individual merit and
participation in the U.S. Air Force. Applications must be completed by December 1st.
For more scholarship information, please visit www.afrotc.com.
Performance Scholarships
Theatre arts and musical theatre majors may be awarded performance scholarships based
on an audition.
Multicultural Service Scholarships
Multicultural service scholarships may be awarded to students who come from diverse
cultural and economic backgrounds and contribute to community service activities on
campus. All students with financial need may be considered, regardless of cultural
or ethnic background. Scholarship renewal is based on continued service to campus
or the community. Typically awarded to returning Wilkes University.
Bierly Fellowship
Wilkes University seeks candidates for the Bierly Fellowship, created to fund unique
experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students eager to perform quality
work in their field of study outside of the campus community. The fellowship may cover
a credit or non-credit bearing cooperative education or internship experience, an
international or domestic study-away experience or off-campus undergraduate research.
Alumni Scholarships
If one of your parents graduated from Wilkes, you're eligible to apply for the Alumni
Association Scholarship. If you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you may apply by early
April of your first year, sophomore or junior year. Email the Office of Alumni Relations
for more information.
Grant funding is based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA external website) to determine grant eligibility.
Grants include:
- Federal Pell grants external website, awarded yearly, will depend on your expected family contribution (EFC), cost of college attendance and enrollment status (full or part time).
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG external website awards are based on financial need, the date you apply for aid, any other aid you may receive, and availability of Wilkes funds. You must be Pell eligible to be considered for this grant. Funds are very limited. - Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant
Pennsylvania residents may receive a yearly award based on financial need through the Pennsylvania State Grant Program external website. You must complete the FAFSA by May 1st of the upcoming aid year. - Wilkes University Grant
Funds offered by students who demonstrate financial need. Funds are limited.
Work-study programs allow you to earn money to help pay for your education and related expenses. Research shows that students who work while going to school have higher grades and graduate faster. Plus, the work experience will help build your résumé. Check out some work-study options available to Wilkes students:
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program external website is funded jointly by the U.S. Department of Education and Wilkes University. The program allows you to work on campus to help cover education costs. To be eligible, you must be enrolled at least half time and meet financial need requirements. Work-study employees receive a paycheck for hours worked; these funds will not be applied to tuition bills.
University Student Employment Program
This program, funded solely by the University, lets you earn money by working on campus. You’re not required to demonstrate financial need, but you must be enrolled. Work-study employees receive a paycheck for hours worked; these funds will not be applied to tuition bills.
State Work-Study Program
This program, funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and administered by PHEAA, places students in career-related or community-enrichment positions with public- and private-sector employers. You must be a Pennsylvania resident with demonstrated financial need to participate in the State Work-Study Program external website.
Off-Campus Employment
The Center for Career Development and Internships can help you search for prospective employers in the Wilkes-Barre area. Full-time, part-time and summer positions are available.
Wilkes University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program external website. Direct loans are low-interest loans awarded to you and your parents to help cover the costs of a college education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education, but your loan servicer and primary contact may be a private company.
Private student loans are made through private lending institutions not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Wilkes University. They may be an option for students who need more aid beyond their offered awards or students who are enrolled less than half-time or in a non-degree-seeking program.