Incarnate Word University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~98%
- Middle 50% ACT: 21
- Middle 50% SAT: 1020
- Average GPA: 3.5
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Incarnate Word University at a Glance
- No test scores = no way to boost merit: UIW is test-blind, so scholarships are based almost entirely on GPA—you can’t raise your award with a strong SAT/ACT.
- No real “big win” scholarships: Most students land in the $9,000–$20,000 range, and there’s no broad full-tuition or full-ride path outside of a very narrow, school-specific award.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Incarnate Word University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21; SAT: 1020.
Average net price? About $21,246/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
Chemistry department S-STEM page: https://uiw.edu/academics/science/chemistry/
Honors Program site: https://my.uiw.edu/honors/
Catholic high schools scholarship page: https://www.uiw.edu/admissions/resources/catholic-high-schools.html
City Year university partners page: https://cityyear.org/university-partners/
New student scholarships page: https://www.uiw.edu/admissions/resources/scholarships.html
Music department and ensembles page: https://uiw.edu/academics/music/
University flagship scholarship page: https://www.uiw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships.html
UIW Study Abroad site: https://uiw.edu/international/study-abroad/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Incarnate Word University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $36,450 | $36,450 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $12,070 | $12,070 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $48,520 | $48,520 |
Average Federal Net Price: $21,246 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
At UIW, tuition is the same for Texas and non-Texas residents since it is a private university.
How much do housing and meal plans really cost?
The COA uses an average. Real options range from about $6,000–$9,500 for housing and $1,900–$5,000 for meal plans depending on selections.
Is this what I’ll actually pay?
No—most families pay less once UIW scholarships, federal/state aid, and outside awards are applied. The net price box above shows the typical average after grants.
University Cost of Attendance — https://www.uiw.edu/finaid/cost-of-attendance.html
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees — https://www.uiw.edu/busoff/documents/2024-2025-undergraduate-tuition-and-fees.pdf
Financial Aid Office — https://www.uiw.edu/finaid/
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?226757-University-of-the-Incarnate-Word
College Board BigFuture — https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-the-incarnate-word/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman Academic Scholarship | $7,000–$20,000 | Automatic with admission; based entirely on unweighted high school GPA (test scores not used or required) | No | Yes — up to 4 years; maintain satisfactory progress | ~3.9–4.0+ GPA = top; 3.6–3.8 = mid-high; 3.2–3.5 = lower tiers (verified with current UIW grid) | Rolling; FAFSA/TASFA by Jan. 15 for priority aid |
| Catholic High School Scholarship | +$2,000 | Graduation from a Catholic high school; awarded automatically to eligible admits | No | Yes — up to 4 years with full-time enrollment | Graduates of Catholic high schools (usually stacks with merit awards, confirm in offer letter) | Rolling admission; Jan. 15 for layered aid |
Note: UIW is test-blind for admission and merit scholarships—only your unweighted GPA is used to determine awards. Award levels and eligibility are updated each cycle; always review your specific offer letter and the current UIW scholarship web page for official policy.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Are standardized tests required? No—UIW is test-blind for admission and GPA merit scholarships. SAT/ACT scores are considered only for class placement, never for merit.
How is eligibility determined? UIW posts a public grid based on unweighted high school GPA; bands may update between cycles. Renewal requires remaining a full-time student in good standing each term.
Can the Catholic High School Scholarship stack with other awards? Yes—it typically stacks with UIW’s merit tiers, but total institutional aid cannot exceed cost of attendance. Confirm stacking rules in your official offer.
Any important deadlines? Rolling admission for merit, but for best results with need-based and institutional aid, submit your FAFSA or TASFA by Texas’s Jan. 15 priority date.
UIW New Student Scholarships – https://uiw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships.html
UIW Catholic HS Scholarship – https://uiw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships.html
UIW Scholarship FAQ – https://uiw.edu/financialaid/faq/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (highly competitive, limited awards)
These are UIW’s selective, university-level awards with extra competitiveness signals (few recipients, narrow eligibility). They function like classic competitive scholarships: limited slots and clear academic bar.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SACHS & IWHS Top 10% Flagship Awards | $25,000 per year (4 years; 3 awards total) | Top 10% of graduating class at St. Anthony Catholic HS (SACHS) or Incarnate Word HS (IWHS), must enroll at UIW in the fall after graduation | No — automatic for eligible admits; awarded upon enrollment and transcript verification | Yes — up to 8 semesters; continuous full-time UIW enrollment required, minimum 2.0 GPA, renewal as long as progress is met | Top-10% graduates from SACHS or IWHS who enroll on time; awards limited and strictly merit-based per UIW guidelines | Rolling admission; early fall after graduation |
Flagship (Competitive) Scholarship FAQs
How many awards are available? Three total scholarships are awarded each year across SACHS and IWHS.
Is there a separate application? No, based on class rank (top 10%) plus admission and enrollment for the fall semester. Confirm all eligibility and notification details in your offer letter.
Can this stack with other UIW aid? Stacking rules vary; typically, UIW will not allow total institutional aid to exceed the cost of attendance. Some flagship awards may limit stacking with other institutional scholarships; review your specific award terms for details.
Do test scores or superscoring matter? No; UIW is test-blind for merit awards—academic GPA and class rank are used. Test scores only matter for math placement, not for scholarship eligibility.
UIW SACHS & IWHS Flagship Terms – https://uiw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships.html
UIW Financial Aid & General Scholarship FAQ – https://uiw.edu/financialaid/faq/
SACHS Awards – https://sachs.org/tuition-assistance-awards/
IWHS Scholarship Programs – https://incarnatewordhs.org/scholarships-discounts/
🎖️ Honors College
The University of the Incarnate Word’s Honors Program is designed for high-achieving, service-minded students who want smaller classes, a supportive cohort, and extra academic challenge. Admission is by application, and selection looks at GPA, rigor, essays, and leadership potential rather than just test scores.
High school GPA around 3.6+ (unweighted), advanced coursework, strong writing samples, and a track record of leadership or service activities.
- Priority registration each semester
- Small seminar-style classes with faculty mentorship
- Honors thesis and research opportunities
- Dedicated Honors community and leadership development
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos & Malú Alvarez Scholars | Up to $4,000 per year (renewable 4 yrs) | Incoming freshmen admitted to the Honors Program; selection based on academic excellence, service, leadership, and financial need | Yes — UIW Honors Program application (competitive cohort) | Yes — maintain Honors standing and GPA progression (3.25–3.5 by Jr. year) | Top students in each Honors applicant pool (~10 yearly); admit GPA ~3.6+, leadership, and strong essays/service noted | March 1 priority; final May 1 if space allows |
Note: The Alvarez Scholars is the primary Honors-specific scholarship, by competitive selection. Entry is limited to a small cohort and requires both academic and service leadership. General Honors application is due by March 1; space may be available through May 1 for additional admits. Renewal requires annual GPA and Honors standing checks.
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic for high grades? No. All students must submit the Honors Program application and essay; selection is holistic and includes leadership/service, not just GPA.
Will Honors add time to my degree? No. The program is structured to fit all majors and integrate with normal time to graduation.
What is the most competitive Honors award? The Carlos & Malú Alvarez Scholars scholarship (up to $4,000/year, renewable) — requires an additional selection after general Honors admission.
What deadlines matter? March 1 is the preferred Honors priority date; applications may be accepted after that if space allows but funding may be limited.
UIW Honors Program Overview – https://my.uiw.edu/honors/
UIW Honors Program Admissions & Deadlines – https://my.uiw.edu/honors/eligibility-and-admission.html
UIW Honors Program Requirements – https://my.uiw.edu/honors/requirements.html
UIW Alvarez Scholars Info – https://my.uiw.edu/honors/
⭐ College Specialty
UIW is best known for its strength in health professions and service-focused education. As a Catholic private university in San Antonio, it has built an impressive network of professional schools and clinical partnerships that create pipelines into high-demand fields.
- Osteopathic Medicine (SOM): UIW’s School of Osteopathic Medicine is among the newest in Texas and emphasizes training physicians for underserved communities.
- Pharmacy: The Feik School of Pharmacy is noted for its focus on serving Hispanic and medically underserved populations in South Texas.
- Nursing & Health Professions: The Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions consistently ranks among the top nursing programs in Texas for producing BSN and graduate-prepared nurses.
- Chemistry: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry holds continued ACS approval a national marker of curriculum rigor and lab quality.