Undergraduate Financial Aid

You can already picture yourself at Wilkes, settling into your room, meeting new people around campus, checking out a sporting event and studying for mid-terms in the library.

But all your parents see are dollar signs adding up - the cost of tuition, room and board, books and even late-night pizza delivery.

Whether you're heading to college for the first time or hoping to transfer to Wilkes from another college or university, we'll work with you and your family to find an affordable path to college success. About 90 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study funds and direct loans. We also offer a monthly payment plan.

There is no income limit to receive federal financial aid. The only way to determine eligibility is to apply.

First-Year Scholarships

Merit Scholarships (2024-2025 Academic Year)

Merit scholarships are awarded during the admission decision process based on high school academic performance and are renewable each year.

  • Trustee Scholarship | $28,000
  • Presidential Scholarship | $26,000
  • Provost Scholarship | $24,000
  • Dean Scholarship | $19,000

Eligibility

Merit scholarships are based on a comprehensive review of each student's academic achievements and accomplishments. Information taken into consideration includes a student's cumulative GPA, related coursework and activities, SAT or ACT scores (if submitting) and any additional supplemental information shared at the time of the admissions decision.

Blue & Gold Opportunity Scholarship

The Blue & Gold Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to first-year students who show potential and are not awarded one of the above merit scholarships.

AWARD $16,000

Young Scholars Award

The Young Scholars Award is available to first-year students who have taken courses through the Young Scholars program. Two levels of award are available based on the number of credits earned, evenly distributed throughout a student's undergraduate studies up to 4 years.

AWARD LEVELS
  • 12-29 Young Scholars credits | $4,000
  • 30+ Young Scholars credits | $5,000

Berks County Connection Scholarship

The Berks County Connection Scholarship is available to first-year students who reside in Berks County, Pennsylvania (applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only).

AWARD $2,000

Hometown Advantage Award

The Hometown Advantage Award is available to first-year students who reside in Luzerne or Lackawanna counties (applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only).

AWARD LEVELS
  • Residential Students | $2,000
  • Commuter Students | $500

Lehigh Valley Loyal Scholarship

The Lehigh Valley Loyal Scholarship is available to first-year students who reside in Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania (applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only).

AWARD $2,000

Out of State Award

The Out of State Award is available to students who reside outside of Pennsylvania (applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only).

AWARD $2,000

Sibling Discount

The Sibling Discount is available to students who will have another sibling enrolled full-time at Wilkes pursuing an undergraduate degree at the same time. Both students must be enrolled to receive.

AWARD $1,000

Alumni Award

The Alumni Award is available to students who have a parent and/or grandparent that graduated from Wilkes with an undergraduate degree.

AWARD $1,000

Transfer Student Scholarships

Transfer Merit Scholarship

Transfer Merit Scholarships are based on college/university academic performance and are renewable per year.

AWARDS $15,000 - $19,000 (2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR)

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

AWARD $2,000

Awarded to transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, in addition to the transfer scholarship listed above. Proof of Phi Theta Kappa membership must be submitted with admission application.

Out of State Award

The Out of State Award is available to students who reside outside of Pennsylvania (applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only).

AWARD $2,000

Alumni Award

The Alumni Award is available to students who have a parent and/or grandparent that graduated from Wilkes with an undergraduate degree.

AWARD $1,000

Eligibility

To remain eligible for transfer scholarships, students must be enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking domestic student.

Additional Financial Aid

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.

Financial Aid Process