Types of Financial Aid

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.

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Academic Year
  • Trustee Scholarship: $28,000
  • Presidential Scholarship: $26,000
  • Provost Scholarship: $24,000
  • Dean Scholarship: $19,000

Blue & Gold Opportunity Grant

Awarded to first-year students who show potential and are not awarded one of the above scholarships.

  • $16,000

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.

Financial Aid Process

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Merit Scholarships

Awarded based on academic performance and renewable each year.

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Academic 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.

Financial Aid Process

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:

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 freshman, 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 websiteYou 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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

Learn More about Private Loans