Eastern Washington University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Paying for college in Washington doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At Eastern Washington University, families can count on clear automatic scholarships, special programs like WUE tuition savings, and extra opportunities through Honors, ROTC, and departments. This guide breaks down what EWU really costs, how merit aid works, and where to find hidden help—always in plain English for first-gen parents. For more on statewide programs, see our Washington aid guide and the full CRP scholarship hub.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Eastern Washington University

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$7,776	$24,963
Housing & Meals	$16,116	$16,116
Books & Supplies	$798	$798
Transportation	$1,710	$1,710
Personal Expenses	$1,908	$1,908
Total (Before Aid)	$29,418	$46,605

Average Net Price: $13,786 (2022–2023). This is what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships were applied — loans not included.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Students from participating Western states can qualify for WUE tuition at 150% of the in-state rate. At EWU, that’s about $11,229 per year in tuition versus the regular out-of-state $24,963 — a savings of nearly $13,700 annually.

Example: A student from Nevada would pay around $11,229 instead of $24,963 in tuition.

Cost & WUE FAQs

Who qualifies for WUE?
Students from participating Western states and territories; EWU may have major or seat restrictions.

How much can families save?
About $13,700 per year compared to standard out-of-state tuition.

Is WUE automatic?
Yes — if you’re from a WUE state and admitted, you’re considered for the reduced tuition rate. Always confirm with EWU admissions for program caps or deadlines.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Scholarship	$3,000/year	WA residents; new freshmen; HS GPA ≥ 3.80	No	Yes, up to 4 years	Students with a strong GPA (3.8+); test scores not required
Dean’s Scholarship*	$2,000–$2,500/year	WA residents; GPA ~3.6–3.79*	No	Yes	Typically mid-to-upper GPA students (above-average rigor)
University Scholarship*	$1,000–$1,500/year	WA residents; GPA ~3.3–3.59*	No	Yes	Students in the solid B+/A- range with consistent coursework

*Dean’s and University tiers are based on EWU’s published $1,000–$3,000 automatic range. Exact GPA cutoffs for these tiers are not fully posted online; the GPA bands above are estimates drawn from past ranges and EWU’s stated Presidential cutoff.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Do I need to apply separately?
No — all new WA resident freshmen are automatically considered for these awards when admitted.

Does EWU superscore or require test scores?
Scholarships are GPA-based. Test scores are optional and not required for these automatic tiers.

Can these stack with WUE?
Generally no. Automatic merit awards apply to WA residents, while WUE is for nonresidents. Always confirm stacking rules with the scholarship office.

What deadlines matter?
Apply for admission by Feb 1 for priority scholarship consideration.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

Unlike some larger universities, Eastern Washington University does not advertise any major university-wide competitive scholarships for freshmen outside of its Honors Program. All selective awards (like the Killin Scholars and Honors Freshmen Scholarship) are handled within the Honors College and are covered in the Honors section.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
No university-wide competitive merit scholarships found for 2025–2026. See the Honors College section for selective awards.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Does EWU have selective full-tuition awards?
Yes, but they are administered through the Honors College (see the Honors section).

Are there departmental or alumni awards?
Yes. Many colleges and departments at EWU offer their own competitive scholarships, typically in the $500–$2,000 range. These require separate applications in the EWU Scholarship Application portal.

Any National Merit or Stamps tie-ins?
No — EWU is not listed as a National Merit partner or a Stamps Scholarship school.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic merit, EWU has a number of niche awards that don’t always show up on the main scholarship chart. These include ROTC pathways, departmental funds, research and study abroad support, and stipends for unpaid internships.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Army ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition & fees or housing/meal stipend + $1,200/yr book stipend + $420/mo living stipend	ROTC cadets; U.S. citizens; meet academic, medical, and fitness standards; service commitment required	Yes — via national ROTC board or EWU ROTC office	Yes — up to 4 years with satisfactory performance	Students with strong grades, physical fitness, and leadership who commit to Army service
McNair Scholars Program	Summer research stipend (≈$2,800) + grad-prep funding and travel support	First-gen, low-income, or underrepresented juniors preparing for graduate school	Yes — TRIO McNair application	Program-based; renewable if accepted into continuing research cohort	Students who line up faculty mentorship and plan to pursue graduate degrees
Study Abroad — Ortiz Scholarship	$1,000 (one-time)	Students accepted into EWU-approved study abroad programs	Yes — through EWU Global	No	Students demonstrating financial need and clear study abroad goals
Unpaid Internship Stipend	Up to $3,000 (one-time)	Students completing approved unpaid nonprofit or government internships	Yes — EWU application process	No	Students with qualifying internships who submit a strong application
Avista Scholars Program	Varies; typically several thousand dollars per year	Juniors and seniors in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Management Information Systems; strong academics and leadership	Yes — departmental nomination/application	Often renewable through senior year	Upperclass STEM students with project experience, service, and leadership
Music Department Scholarships	$500–$6,000/year (based on audition and talent)	Music majors, minors, and non-majors who participate in ensembles	Yes — audition required	Yes — with continued performance and enrollment in ensembles	Students with strong audition results and commitment to ensemble participation
Departmental & College Awards	$500–$2,000	Students in specific majors (Biology, Social Work, Business, Computer Science, etc.)	Yes — EWU Scholarship Application or departmental portal	Often one-year; some renewable	Students with solid GPAs and departmental involvement

*Dollar amounts for Avista and departmental awards vary year to year. Ranges shown are based on past awards; check the EWU scholarship portal for current figures.

EWU General Scholarship Application — one form that matches students to scholarships tied to leadership, community service, hometown, and life experiences such as being first-generation.
Clubs, Greek organizations, and campus groups also sponsor smaller awards; amounts and requirements change annually and are best viewed inside the EWU Scholarship Application portal.

Hidden Gem FAQs

Can ROTC awards stack with other scholarships?
Yes, but they usually cover tuition or housing directly. If you accept the tuition/fee option, you may not also use a tuition waiver program like WUE.

Are departmental scholarships worth applying for?
Definitely — while smaller ($500–$2,000), they add up and often have fewer applicants since they’re limited to certain majors.

How do I apply for McNair or study abroad awards?
Each has its own office (TRIO McNair or EWU Global). Both require a separate application and faculty/mentor involvement.

When are deadlines?
Many departmental awards and stipends use the Feb 1 priority deadline. ROTC boards have their own national timelines.

⭐ College Specialty

Eastern Washington University shines in hands-on, career-focused programs that plug students directly into Spokane’s health, tech, and engineering ecosystem. Think real labs, industry-linked projects, and programs that meet specific statewide needs—especially in health and applied STEM.

Top Program: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene — the only traditional BS Dental Hygiene program in Washington state, preparing students for licensure with intensive clinical training.

Computer Science (ABET-accredited BS): Accreditation signals rigorous outcomes and employer-recognized quality—strong prep for software and cybersecurity roles.
Industrial Robotics & Automation (Minor) + Mech Eng Labs: Courses and labs in robot operation, PLCs, and mechatronics give practical automation skills used in regional manufacturing.
Catalyst Building (Zero-energy / Zero-carbon learning hub): EWU courses run inside Spokane’s Catalyst—one of North America’s largest zero-carbon, zero-energy buildings—linking students to real sustainability tech and industry partners.
Army ROTC: Well-established battalion with scholarship pathways and leadership training; a direct pipeline to commissioned service for qualified cadets.

🎖️ Honors College

EWU’s Honors Program is designed for curious, motivated students who want smaller classes, more discussion, and opportunities to stretch themselves academically. Admission is by application, with short essays and a priority deadline of February 1. Students in Honors not only gain access to special courses and mentorship, but also exclusive scholarships that can make a major dent in the cost of attendance.

What a Typical EWU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA in the 3.7–4.0 range*, strong writing skills, evidence of leadership or service, and an eagerness to tackle challenging coursework.
*Exact GPA/test ranges are not formally published by EWU; ranges shown here are estimates based on past recipients.

Perks that Matter:

Priority registration for classes
Small Honors seminars that satisfy core requirements
Dedicated Honors housing option
Faculty mentorship and research support
Exclusive scholarship opportunities

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Orland & Bernice Killin Scholarship (“Killin Scholars”)	Full in-state tuition for four years (≈$31,000+ value)	Incoming freshmen admitted to Honors; Washington residents preferred	Yes — via Honors application (two short essays)	Yes — maintain 3.5 GPA and active Honors standing	Top Honors applicants with A/A- GPAs, strong essays, and leadership/service records
Honors Freshmen Scholarship	$1,000/year (in addition to other EWU awards)	New freshmen admitted to Honors	Yes — indicate Honors on EWU application and submit Honors essays	Yes — with 3.5 GPA and continued Honors enrollment	Admitted Honors students who show strong academics and campus engagement

*Exact GPA/test thresholds for Honors admission and scholarships are not published by EWU; the GPA ranges shown are estimates based on past awards.

Honors FAQs

Is admission automatic?
No — you must apply to Honors when you apply to EWU and complete the extra essays.

Does Honors add extra time to my degree?
No — Honors courses are designed to count toward general education requirements, so students graduate on time if they follow their plan.

When should I apply?
By February 1 for priority consideration. Applications after that are considered on a space-available basis.

Are there extra scholarships?
Yes — Honors students can compete for exclusive awards like the Killin Scholarship and the Honors Freshmen Scholarship.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Eastern Washington University may not carry the “big name” of some larger campuses, but for many families it delivers exactly what matters: clear automatic merit for residents, serious savings through WUE for out-of-state students, and extra opportunities through Honors, ROTC, and departmental awards. Add in its strong specialty programs and supportive faculty, and EWU can be a smart, affordable choice—especially for first-generation students looking for both value and personal attention.

✅ Last updated: September 11, 2025