Scholarships
General Overview
Additional Information:
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 to 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.
Institutional Scholarships
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Private Scholarships
Incoming Students
AJ Wang Foundation Scholarship Fund
This private scholarship is solely for eligible graduating high school seniors applying for UWest with a minimum high school GPA of 2.5. The scholarship awards $2,000 a year for up to four years to students who maintain full-time enrollment status and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
International Buddhist Education Foundation Scholarship
IBEF
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.
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.
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.
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.
Outside Scholarships
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.
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.
Important Dates
President’s Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, and UWest Scholarship
April 1 – Current Students
Lotus Scholarship
April 1 – All Students in Eligible Programs
Metta Scholarship
April 1 – Incoming Domestic Transfers and HS Graduates
Dream Scholarship
June 1 – Incoming Dreamer students
 AJ Wang Scholarship
June 1 – Incoming Domestic HS Graduates
Golden Benefactor Awards
Fall, first Monday following the last day of the previous Spring semester
Spring, first Monday following the last day of the previous Fall semester
IBEF Scholarship / Fellowship / Research Grant
November 15 – Spring
May 1 – Fall
Outstanding International Student Scholarship
June 1 – International Students
* Note: Students are responsible to ensure all documents are submitted on time. Applications submitted after the above-mentioned deadlines will only be considered under exceptional circumstances if/when funds are still available.