Merit Scholarships & Awards

Students and families tell us that cost is a real barrier to a high-quality education.

We're doing something about it.

More than 99% of Ohio Wesleyan students receive scholarships or need-based financial aid.

Ohio Wesleyan offers generous merit scholarships recognizing student academic achievement starting at $25,000. All applicants are considered for merit scholarships.

Please explore the range of scholarship opportunities offered to Ohio Wesleyan applicants for admission.

Merit Scholarships*

Merit Scholarships

All admitted students will be considered for a range of merit scholarships, most starting at $24,000. Students will be informed of their award when they receive their admission decision or shortly afterward. Academic achievement in high school is the primary consideration for this award.

Wesleyan and Schubert Scholarships

Top applicants will also automatically be considered for the Wesleyan and Schubert Scholarships. No separate applicaiton is required. The Wesleyan Scholarship is valued at up to $8,000 and is offered in addition to other merit scholarships a student might receive, and the Schubert Scholarship is a full-tuition award that replaces other merit awards. 

OWU Referral Award

The OWU Referral Award is a $4,000 award ($1,000 per year) given to students who have been referred to OWU by an OWU alum, faculty, staff, current student or friend of the University. Referrals must be received by December 15 of the student's senior year of high school. The referral form is available here.

OWU Visit Award

Any high school student who visits during their junior year OR before December 15 of their senior year will receive a $1,000 annual Visit Award, totalling up to $4,000. This award will be in addition to any merit-based scholarships received upon admission to OWU.

Bishop Bound Award

New for those entering in Fall 2025, first-year, domestic students who reside outside of Ohio will qualify for an out-of-state award worth $8,000 ($2,000 each year). This award will be in addition to any merit-based scholarships you receive upon admission to OWU.

Meek Community Service and Leadership Scholarship

The Meek Community Service and Leadership Scholarship, worth $10,000 per year (or $40,000 over four years), rewards two incoming first-year students each year who exhibit outstanding participation in community service and strong leadership skills. Students who receive this scholarship are expected to maintain their high standards of service and continue to lead within the Ohio Wesleyan community. The Meek Scholarship can be stacked on top of other awards a student may receive upon admission. Students will be selected based on examples of service and leadership displayed in their application for admission. No separate application is required.  Interested students or students with questions should contact their admission counselor.

Choose Ohio First Scholarship

Ohio Wesleyan offers at least thirty scholarships between $5,500 - $8,570 (renewable for four years) to incoming first-year students who intend to pursue studies in a STEM field: science (including the health professions), technology, engineering, or mathematics. The scholarships are designed to assist Ohio residents with college costs, help them pursue their educational goals, and develop the skills they will eventually apply professionally through a guaranteed internship or research opportunity.

Recipients must be Ohio residents, have a 3.0 GPA and intend to major in one of the STEM areas listed on the application (see below). Review for these scholarships will begin after the priority deadline of January 15. Students who submit their Choose Ohio First Application by that deadline will be given priority consideration, however, students who apply by the final deadline, March 1, will still be considered as scholarships are availalble. Preference is given to marginalized and middle-income students. Once admitted to OWU, eligible students will be notified via email and will have access to the Choose Ohio First Application in their student portal.

Qualifying Majors
Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Genetics, Integrated Science for Teachers, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Zoology, Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry

Life/Eagle Scout and Silver/Gold Girl Scout Scholarships

An unlimited number of Life or Eagle Scouts and Gold or Silver Award Girl Scouts will be selected by Ohio Wesleyan University and awarded a $38,000 annual and renewable scholarship for up to 4 years. (If awarded, the Scholarship will replace the previously awarded merit scholarship of a lesser amount. Scouts must have a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and have their Scout leader submit this recommendation form to qualify.) The deadline to apply is March 1.

Dr. Charles Thomas Scholarship

Ohio Wesleyan celebrates the courage, character, and life of Dr. Charles Thomas, Class of 1905, in establishing the Dr. Charles Thomas Scholarship in his memory. The scholarship is available annually to up to 25 high school students served by the Columbus, Ohio-based I Know I Can Program. Recipients will receive total financial aid of at least full tuition for four years. Eligible students are considered upon admission to the university; no separate scholarship application is required.

Department Awards

Various academic departments, including Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Economics, and Education, also confer merit awards. These scholarships are awarded based on a competitive review (portfolio, audition, and/or interview) by respective departments. Award amounts vary. Students must submit their application for admission before applying for the Fine Arts and Performing Arts scholarships. Students will be notified upon admission if they are eligible to interview for awards provided by the Economics and Education departments. Please refer to each award to find the respective deadline to apply.

Esports Awards

OWU Esports Scholarships will be offered each year to students who intend to participate in the new Esports program. At least ten $1,000 scholarships will be offered based on skill and merit. Learn more about OWU Esports!

Marching Band Participation Awards

Each year, Marching Band Participation Awards will be offered to students who intend to play with the Marching Bishops Band. Up to five $500 scholarships (with slight increases each successive year) will be awarded based on an audition.

OhioHealth Dependent Children Scholarship

This award, valued at $28,000, is given to dependent children of OhioHealth current employees. The award replaces all other merit awards and is renewable for a total of eight semesters of enrollment. Students must indicate eligibility for the scholarship when completing the application for admission. Students will be considered if their application is submitted by May 1 of the term prior to their enrollment. OhioHealth will verify the employment status of employee/parent/guardian of dependent children applying for the scholarship at the time of application by signing an eligibility verification form. OhioHealth will determine employee eligibility based on company benefits guidelines.

Child/Spouse of Clergy

This award, valued at 50% of the tuition of the student's first year of enrollment, is given to dependent children and/or the spouse of an ordained minister (with the benefit of pension) under the appointment of a Bishop of the United Methodist Church, either in the local church or beyond the local church. This scholarship is not stackable with other merit awards, and retention of the scholarship requires recipients to remain in good academic standing at OWU.

*All scholarships and award details are subject to change.

**The annual amount of institutional aid awarded to a student cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Need-based state and/or federal aid can be applied to a student's aid package beyond the cost of tuition.