Scholarships and awards are one way to pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and awards do not have to be repaid.
There are two main types of scholarships: those offered to you from William Peace University (WPU) and outside scholarships (click to jump to that section).
WPU Scholarships
All first-year and transfer students who are accepted for admission at William Peace University will be considered for merit-based scholarships and grants — without further action required.* These scholarships are renewable each year if you maintain a designated minimum grade point average.
Qualified students are awarded grants or Merit Scholarships of $4,000 to $17,000 every year:
- Presidential Scholarship – $17,000 — GPA 3.5+ or ACT 26+ or SAT 1230+
- William Peace Scholarship – $16,000 — GPA 3.0-3.49 or ACT 20-25 or SAT 1030-1229
- Pacer Scholarship – $10,000 — GPA 2.5-2.99 or ACT 18-19 or SAT 960-1029
- Access Scholarship – $10,000 – GPA <2.5
NOTE:
Adult and professional students (School of Professional Studies) are not eligible for institutional aid.
*Except the Honors and Theatre Scholarships, which require additional application materials.
Other WPU Scholarships
In addition to the WPU Merit Scholarships, you may qualify for additional WPU scholarship or grant funding.
Wake Tech Transfer Scholarship
The William Peace Pathways scholarship is specific to transfer students from Wake Tech Community College and who have earned their Associated degree from WTCC. Students must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. This scholarship is renewable each year pending good academic standing. Nearly all graduates from WTCC who transfer to WPU receive some form of merit-based scholarship and are consistently high achievers during their Pacer experience. Students earning an AA/AS from Wake Tech Community College will be considered for this award after applying to WPU and upon completion of the FAFSA.
WPU Transfer Scholarship
Students who transfer into William Peace University may also be eligible for merit-based scholarships. Students who meet the requirements of the WPU Transfer Scholarship can earn between $10,000 to $16,000. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of the number of transferable credits earned at an accredited college or university and on the cumulative grade point average earned at each institution attended. The scholarships are renewable for up to two additional years, provided recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress with Financial Aid.
Community Service and Leadership Scholarships
At William Peace University, our student body is filled with future leaders, community advocates, and world-changers. These students discover their passions and career paths on campus and contribute endlessly to the WPU community.
WPU offers a scholarship to recognize Pacers who exemplify these qualities. There are a limited number of rewards for this competitive scholarship opportunity. Upon admittance, select students will be nominated by WPU Admissions Counselors and awarded the Community Service and Leadership Scholarships, from $250 – $1,500 per year. This scholarship is renewable each year pending strong academic standing.
How to be considered?Contact yourAdmissions Counselor who can make the recommendation.
What you’ll need to do:Your Admissions Counselor will work with you to upload a personal statement (video or written or both!) and/or resume that showcases your community service and/or leadership experience. Share with us information about the club you lead, the mission trip you went on, the local project you organized – we want to hear all about it!
Honors Scholarship
Students accepted into the Honors Program are awarded a $1,000 scholarship. In order to qualify, students must be accepted into the University before April 1. All first-year students with 3.7+ Weighted GPA are eligible to apply. Honors Applications take a look at GPA, SAT/ACT, short answers and essays.
Note: Unlike other WPU scholarships, the honors scholarship may require additional information. Students may be required to interview with the honors committee. Honors scholarships are renewable for an additional three years of study at William Peace University provided recipients actively work toward completion of the Honors Program curriculum and maintain a “B” average (3.00).
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Scholarship
WPU would like to congratulate and honor those students who have demonstrated high academic achievements at the two-year/community college level and who will continue their education at WPU. If you are or were a past member ofPhiThetaKappa, simply send in your proof of membership to your admissions counselor and WPU will grant an additional $2,000 PTK scholarship along with your merit scholarship.
Theater Scholarship
Students who are interested in pursuing a degree in Fine Arts at William Peace University are eligible for an additional scholarship. Students must interview and audition with the respective department. Students must meet the minimum requirement for admission and must be a first year applicant to William Peace University. This scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the Department Chair of the B.F.A program.
Sibling Grant
Siblings who are simultaneously enrolled in the day program at WPU, each receive a $500 per semester grant. Students may apply to have the grant renewed each year both siblings are enrolled at WPU. Students must alert the Office of Financial Aid of their eligibility.
COVID-19 Related Support | HEERF /CARES Act
William Peace University is pleased to offer students the opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, as part of the CARES Act. WPU is using an application for all emergency grants, found by clicking here. Students are receiving grants for COVID-19 related expenses incurred for Cost of Attendance items, which include transportation, technology, room, board, and personal expenses. William Peace University is sending correspondence to each recipient, via email, indicating that the funds will be available within 10 business days either by direct deposit or check. Instructions for direct deposit set up are included in the correspondence. Read Story related to HERF
Important Notice
There are limited funds for the above-listed scholarships. All awards cannot exceed tuition and are determined by the appointed committee. The Board of Trustees can change these limitations at any time. Students must maintain certain standards for renewability. It’s the student’s responsibility to know what those standards are and to maintain them at all times during the awarded time of the scholarship and/or grants.
Your financial aid award is subject to revision upon final verification of credits transferred into the program along with the number of hours enrolled and successfully completed each semester/term. Your award may be reduced based on final funding by the award agencies (NC General Assembly, US Department of Education, etc.). Students are required to make consistent progress toward the completion of their degree to remain eligible for certain financial aid programs. Students may also be required to submit additional documentation to verify the information submitted on the FAFSA.
How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
A quality private education doesn’t have to break the bank. It doesn’t have to be difficult either. That’s why nearly 100% of our students are awarded some type of financial aid. We make it easy for you and your family.
Learn How to Apply for Financial Aid
Keep reading for more information on outside scholarships.
Outside Scholarships
Outside scholarships are funds awarded by entities outside of the federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Outside scholarships are one more option to pay for school without borrowing loans.
iGrad
William Peace University has launched a partnership with iGrad to curate a personalized scholarship list just for you! To set up your personalized scholarship search:
- Login at igrad.com with your WPU ID and password.
- Answer questions that will match you to eligible, outside scholarship opportunities.
- Get tips and tools to improve your scholarship search.
Where to Look for Scholarships
- High school guidance counselors
- Local businesses, churches, community service organizations
- Employers and associations
How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
- Watch closely anything that requires a fee
- Avoid giving non-relevant personal information
- Be wary of any “Guaranteed” scholarships or “Free” seminars with an up-sell
- Never give out bank/credit card account numbers!
- Avoid interviews in hotels or restaurants
- If it’s too good to be true – it probably is
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
- AmeriCorps Education Award
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
- College Foundation of North Carolina
- Fulbright Scholarships
- Future Innovator Scholarship
- Gates Millennium Scholarship
- GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
- Say Yes to Education
- Scholarship America
- United Negro College Fund
This is by no means an all-inclusive list of resources. You can find many more scholarship opportunities by using a scholarship search website, such as:
- College Board FUND FINDER
- CollegeNet Mach 25
- Fastweb
- Scholarship Guidance
- Scholarship Opportunities for Minority Students
- Peterson’s Scholarship Search
- Chegg Scholarships
Please Note: All scholarships were valid when posted. The Office of Financial Aid at William Peace University provides external scholarship information as a courtesy. The above lists are provided to you as a reference tool. They should not be construed as an endorsement by William Peace University of any of the organizations listed.
Important: If You Get an Outside Scholarship
Federal regulations require that these scholarships be incorporated into a student’s financial aid award. That means if you receive an outside scholarship, you must report it to William Peace University so our team can factor it into your full financial aid package. An outside scholarship is first applied to the self-help portion of the student’s award (Federal Work-Study or need-based loans) prior to reducing WPU scholarships and grants.
After all of the self-help portion of the award has been replaced, WPU scholarships and grants may be reduced, dollar for dollar, for any remaining amount.
How to Report Outside Scholarships
Students must notify the Financial Aid office of all outside awards received, including awards paid directly to you. Please report your outside scholarships to our office using our online Scholarship Reporting Form and include a copy of any correspondence (e.g., letter or email) from the scholarship donor if available.
How to Receive Outside Scholarship Funds
Scholarship agencies should send students’ outside scholarship payments directly to WPU Student Accounts. The scholarship check should be made payable to William Peace University so that funds may be credited directly to the student’s university bill. The student’s full name and Student ID number should be included in the memo section of the check.Checks made payable to the student or co-payable to the student and WPU must be signed by the student prior to submitting the scholarship check to our office.
Need Help?
Request Info
Office of Admissions
Main Lobby - Welcome Center
919-508-2214
admissions@peace.edu
Office of Financial Aid
Main Building
919-508-2394
finaid@peace.edu
FAQs
How rare are merit scholarships? ›
Merit-based financial awards can occasionally cover a substantial portion of four or more years of college, but full-ride scholarships are exceedingly rare.
How do you maximize merit scholarships? ›- Fill out the FAFSA. Federal rules have changed. ...
- Apply to schools where you rank high academically. ...
- Apply to schools that offer a lot of financial aid. ...
- Do your research. ...
- Compare net prices before making a decision. ...
- Don't be afraid to negotiate.
Share this Article. Merit-based aid offers financial support based on a student's academic achievements. Need-based aid provides funds for students based on their level of financial need. Students may receive both types of aid to fund their postsecondary studies.