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💰 University of Washington Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
21
Automatic
4
In-State Awards
$4,000-$50,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$10,000-$50,000/yr
Multi-Year Awards
$1,500-$35,000 total
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
Requirements vary by scholarship

University of Washington offers 21 merit scholarships. Awards run $10,000-$50,000/yr for out-of-state students. Against tuition of $42,105, students receiving the largest award pay about $0 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at University of Washington

Tuition & fees
$42,105
−
Largest annual award
$50,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$0/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $18,405), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on University of Washington's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at University of Washington — no separate application

4 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Costco Scholarship for First-Year
Award
$10,000/yr in-state
The Costco Scholarship for First-Year ... awards $10,000 per year for four years to high-achieving high-need students who are entering the UW as first-year students from communities that are traditionally underserved in education.
Eligibility: To be considered, students are encouraged to file the FAFSA/WASFA as soon after October 1 as possible, but before February 28. Students whose admission applications indicate that they may meet the scholarship criteria will be reviewed automatically – no additional application is needed. Eligible students will be notified in late April or early May.
How to apply: ["FAFSA or WASFA filed by the priority filing date", "admission application (considered automatically)"]
📋 Eligible students will be notified in late April or early May. Source ↗
Presidential Scholar
Award
$10,000/yr in-state
The Presidential Scholarship is a $10,000 award given to selected Washington residents who show exceptional leadership, community engagement and promise. It is renewable for up to four years. Washington residents are considered automatically with their application to the UW.
Eligibility: The Presidential Scholarship is a $10,000 award given to selected Washington residents who show exceptional leadership, community engagement and promise. Washington residents are considered automatically with their application to the UW.
How to apply: ["admission application (considered automatically)"]
Source ↗
Purple & Gold Scholarship
The Purple & Gold Scholarship is awarded to U.S. students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees and undocumented residents) who are not residents of Washington state. Amounts vary by recipient, are given for four years and may be used only for the Seattle campus.
Eligibility: Recipients are not now, nor will they become, residents of the state of Washington or eligible for Washington resident tuition for the four-year duration of the award. Recipients will confirm their intention to enroll at the UW for autumn quarter by May 1 of the year they wish to enroll. Recipients will enroll as full-time students, defined as a minimum of 12 credits per quarter for three quarters of the academic year. The scholarship is renewable for four years as long as recipients maintain good academic standing.
How to apply: ["admission application (considered automatically)", "enroll full-time (minimum 12 credits per quarter for three quarters)", "confirm intention to enroll by May 1"]
📋 maintain good academic standing Source ↗
Typical OSFA scholarship
Award
$4,000/yr in-state
The typical scholarship is $4,000 per year for two years. Academic Scholarships from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students who are legal residents of Washington state. Approximately 600 awards from privately donated funds are given each year to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and financial need.
Eligibility: Academic Scholarships from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students who are legal residents of Washington state. To be eligible for consideration, students must be admitted to the UW for autumn quarter of the academic year and complete the FAFSA or the WASFA by the priority filing date of February 28. No advance application is required for these awards except for the FAFSA which must be filed by February 28.
How to apply: ["be Washington state resident", "admitted to UW for autumn quarter", "file FAFSA or WASFA by February 28 (priority filing date)"]
Source ↗

Other scholarships at University of Washington (17)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Army ROTC Tuition Scholarship (tuition + stipends)
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Scholarship is a merit based scholarship offered to UW students who are eligible and desire to serve in the U.S. military as a commissioned officer. The scholarship covers full tuition – resident or nonresident rate – and these additional benefits: * $1,200 annual book stipend * $420 monthly allowance during the school year
Eligibility: Recipients must be U.S. Citizens Between the ages of 17-30 years old Have high moral character Be medically qualified Enrolled as a full time student and in ROTC Military Science courses Pass a physical fitness test Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA to apply Accept an appointment as a commissioned officer upon graduation
How to apply: ["be U.S. citizen", "enroll in ROTC Military Science courses", "pass physical fitness test", "minimum 2.5 GPA to apply", "accept appointment as commissioned officer upon graduation", "contact Department of Military Science for application details"]
Source ↗
Beinecke Scholarship total
$35,000 total
The scholarship provides $35,000 for a research-focused master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences to juniors (based on graduation date) who have financial need. The financial benefits the scholarship provides include: * $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and * $30,000 while attending graduate school.
Eligibility: For juniors with financial need planning graduate study in arts, humanities, social sciences.
How to apply: ["application (per Beinecke site)"]
Source ↗
Bonderman Fellowship
$26,000 one-time
Each Fellowship carries a $26,000 award to be used only for extended solo international travel.
Eligibility: Open to UW undergraduate seniors (graduating winter 2026, spring 2026, summer 2026 or autumn 2026) and Graduate/professional students currently enrolled in a degree program.
How to apply: ["application (per Bonderman site)", "review eligibility requirements on bonderman.uw.edu"]
Source ↗
Boren full academic year
$25,000 one-time
Award Amounts: * $8,000 for summer program (STEM students only; 8 weeks min.) * $12,500 for a semester * $25,000 for a full academic year
Eligibility: Provides U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. 1 year of federal service requirement (must start within 3 years of graduation).
How to apply: ["application (per Boren awards)", "service requirement after graduation"]
Source ↗
Boren semester
$12,500 one-time
Award Amounts: * $8,000 for summer program (STEM students only; 8 weeks min.) * $12,500 for a semester * $25,000 for a full academic year
Eligibility: Provides U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. 1 year of federal service requirement (must start within 3 years of graduation).
How to apply: ["application (per Boren awards)", "service requirement after graduation"]
Source ↗
Boren summer (STEM)
$8,000 one-time
Award Amounts: * $8,000 for summer program (STEM students only; 8 weeks min.) * $12,500 for a semester * $25,000 for a full academic year
Eligibility: Provides U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. 1 year of federal service requirement (must start within 3 years of graduation).
How to apply: ["application (per Boren awards)", "service requirement after graduation"]
Source ↗
Cobell Scholarship
Cobell Scholarship information provided; award amounts vary by scholarship.
Eligibility: Post-secondary full-time student; an enrolled member of a US Federally Recognized Tribe; applicants must be pursuing a degree or certification.
How to apply: ["application (per Cobell site)", "tribal eligibility certificate"]
Source ↗
Gilman Scholarship (max)
$5,000 one-time
Awarded: Up to $5,000
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students that receive Pell grant
How to apply: ["application (per Gilman site)", "Pell grant recipient"]
Source ↗
Going Abroad Scholarship
$1,500 one-time
The Going Abroad Scholarship ... Award amount: $1,500.
Eligibility: Open to any citizen and/or resident of the United States (and its territories and possessions) enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning. Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
How to apply: ["application (per Going Abroad site)"]
Source ↗
IPD summer stipend
$3,200/semester
Students will receive a $3,200 stipend/month.
Eligibility: Open to participants (details on IPD site).
How to apply: ["application (per IPD site)"]
Source ↗
Marvin Oliver Memorial Endowed Fund Scholarship (AIS)
We are hoping to give several awards this year for either graduating or continuing students, so please apply!
Eligibility: This scholarship is specifically for students in the Department of American Indian Studies – AIS majors, AIS minors, and OPIS minors.
How to apply: ["submit application via provided Google Form", "priority application deadline May 18 (applications accepted through May 22)"]
Source ↗
Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship
$5,000 total
Mary Gates Leadership Scholarships ... Award: $5,000 over two quarters
Eligibility: Open to all full-time enrolled UW Undergraduates
How to apply: ["application (per Mary Gates Leadership site)", "identify a mentor"]
Source ↗
Myra Lupton Scholarship
$3,500 one-time
PSA-PBK offers up to three undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each, as well as the Myra Lupton scholarship in the amount of $3,500 for a first-generation college student. Undergraduate Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.8. Myra Lupton Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.4.
Eligibility: Undergraduate Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.8. Myra Lupton Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.4.
How to apply: ["application (per announcement)", "GPA minimum: 3.8 for undergraduate scholarship; 3.4 for Myra Lupton"]
Source ↗
PSA-PBK undergraduate scholarships
$3,000 one-time
PSA-PBK offers up to three undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each, as well as the Myra Lupton scholarship in the amount of $3,500 for a first-generation college student. Undergraduate Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.8. Myra Lupton Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.4.
Eligibility: Undergraduate Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.8. Myra Lupton Scholarship GPA minimum requirement: 3.4.
How to apply: ["application (per announcement)", "GPA minimum: 3.8 for undergraduate scholarship; 3.4 for Myra Lupton"]
Source ↗
ROTC Housing Scholarship
$10,000/yr
ROTC provides a $10,000 annual scholarship for housing and these additional benefits: * $1,200 annual book stipend * $420 monthly allowance during the school year.
Eligibility: Recipients must be U.S. Citizens Between the ages of 17-30 years old Have high moral character Be medically qualified Enrolled as a full time student and in ROTC Military Science courses Pass a physical fitness test Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA to apply Accept an appointment as a commissioned officer upon graduation
How to apply: ["be U.S. citizen", "enroll in ROTC Military Science courses", "minimum 2.5 GPA to apply", "pass physical fitness test"]
Source ↗
Samvid Scholars tuition support
$50,000/yr
The scholarship provides up to $50,000 in tuition support each year for two years for students in graduate schools across the United States.
Eligibility: Pursue an eligible full-time graduate program of two years or longer; be a first-year graduate student; have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5; Be a U.S. citizen or DACA recipient.
How to apply: ["application (per Samvid site)", "undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5", "U.S. citizen or DACA recipient"]
Source ↗
Udall Scholarship
$7,000 one-time
A $7,000 scholarship for sophomores and juniors who are committed to making a difference in either the environment or Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Policy or Native Healthcare.
Eligibility: US citizenship or permanent residency required. Four nominations are available for students committed to environmental careers and four for students interested in Tribal Policy/Native Healthcare. UW Nomination required.
How to apply: ["UW nomination required (apply via provided UW nomination link)", "application (per Udall / UW process)"]
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at University of Washington

Early Action
11/15/2025
Early Decision
11/01/2025
Regular Decision
02/01/2026

Common questions about University of Washington scholarships

How much merit aid does University of Washington give?

Published awards range $10,000-$50,000/yr. University of Washington lists 21 merit scholarships in total.

Does University of Washington give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $10,000-$50,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at University of Washington?

The largest published award covers full tuition, though not housing and other costs.

When is the scholarship deadline at University of Washington?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is 11/15/2025. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with University of Washington's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

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