Scholarships

Scholarship Opportunities

There are dozens of scholarship opportunities for UWest students, ranging in value from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, service, and talent. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have tao be repaid.

From scholarships administered by UWest, to state and federal scholarships, we want to make sure that you have access to every opportunity to fund your education.

Incoming Students


Lotus Scholarship

A renewable scholarship of $6,000/year for select undergraduate students and $7,000/year for select graduate students. Students must matriculate into an eligible program at UWest and demonstrate excellent academic merit.

Due: April 1 – All Students in Eligible Programs

Lotus Scholarship PDF


Metta Scholarship

A renewable scholarship of $6,000/year for select new domestic undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Priority consideration is given to transfer students who have successfully completed at least 30 units at a community college or accredited four-year university/college.

Due: April 1 – Incoming Domestic Transfers and HS Graduates

Metta Scholarship PDF


Dream Scholarship

A need-based scholarship of $10,000/year for select first-time undocumented students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students must have a high school GPA of 2.8 or above and demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Due: June 1 – Incoming Dreamer students

Dream Scholarship PDF

Continuing Students


President’s Scholarship

An annual award for degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.5/3.75 GPA (undergraduate/graduate) who also demonstrate outstanding leadership characteristics. President’s scholarship recipients will have the full cost of tuition waived for up to 15 undergraduate or 12 graduate units per semester.

Due: April 1 – Current Students

President’s Scholarship PDF


Dean’s Scholarship

The Dean’s Scholarship is an annual award for students with a minimum 3.2/3.5 GPA (undergraduate/graduate) who demonstrate exceptional leadership ability. Recipients will have the tuition of up to 7.5 undergraduate or 6 graduate units waived each semester.

Due: April 1 – Current Students

Dean’s Scholarship PDF


UWest Scholarship

Up to $1,000 per semester to full-time, degree-seeking students who show academic merit, leadership, integrity, service and exceptional value to the University.

Due: April 1 – Current Students

UWest Scholarship PDF

Incoming Students


AJ Wang Foundation Scholarship Fund

This private scholarship is for :
1) graduating high school seniors with a minimum high school GPA of 2.5, and 2) college transfer students entering UWest as junior students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from their previous college(s). The scholarship awards $2,000/year for up to four years to graduating high school seniors and $4,000/year for up to years for college transferring students. The scholarship requires full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 3.0 and higher to maintain.

Due: June 1 – Incoming Domestic HS Graduates

AJ Wang Foundation Scholarship PDF


International Buddhist Education Foundation Scholarship

IBEF Scholarship

Awards $3,500 – $4,500 per semester to students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who are enrolled in Religious Studies and/or Buddhist Chaplaincy programs.

Spring Due Date: November 15 | Fall Due Date: May 1

IBEF Scholarship PDF


IBEF Monastic Fellowship

Awards $2,000 – $3,000 per semester to Buddhist monastic students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are enrolled in Religious Studies and/or Buddhist Chaplaincy programs.

Spring Due Date: November 15
Fall Due Date: May 1

IBEF Monastic Fellowship PDF

Continuing Students


Golden Benefactor Awards

These scholarships are awarded by individual donors to stand-out undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need, and require a separate application in order for a student to be considered.

Fall Due Date: First Monday following the last day of the previous Spring semester

Spring Due Date: First Monday following the last day of the previous Fall semester

Golden Benefactor Awards Policies (PDF)


IBEF Research Grant

IBEF awards $5,000 – $6,000 per semester to eligible PhD students in Religious Studies program and monastic doctoral students in Buddhist Ministry program.

Spring Due Date: November 15 | Fall Due Date: May 1

The following web sites may assist with your search for outside scholarship opportunities. Before you begin your search, however, we suggest that you review the useful information from the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Education to learn how to avoid scholarship and financial aid scams.

Scholarships.com

College Scholarships.org

Fastweb: Scholarships

International Scholarships.com

Military.com: Scholarship Finder

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Disclaimer:  The above outside scholarship search engines are offered by organizations and/or companies NOT affiliated with University of the West. UWest cannot guarantee the validity of each scholarship offer or web site. Students should exercise judgment and research such opportunities. We encourage students to avoid any scholarship offer that requires an up-front payment by the student.

Need Help? Contact the Financial Aid Office

Director of Financial Aid

Lezli Fang
email: lezliyf@uwest.edu​

Financial Aid Officer

Yanela Morgan
email: yanelam@uwest.edu