Scholarships

The following scholarships are available for West Chester University students. Scholarship eligibility and deadlines vary. The Center for Women & Gender Equity team works collaboratively with the Office of Financial Aid, WCU Foundation and other community members to award these scholarship funds. See this Frequently Asked Questions document for more information on the scholarships and how to apply.

Mature Students

Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Students

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation was created in 1979 at the bequest of Mrs. Newcombe. Mrs. Newcombe greatly valued higher education during her lifetime. In her will, she established the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation to continue her scholarship gifts. Her legacy continues until today. The Foundation provides scholarship funds to select colleges and universities for mature/second career students to complete their education and prepare for careers. As a result of this generous funding, WCU is able to award 20-30 Newcombe Scholarships per year.

Eligibility:
  • 25 years old or more by the time of award
  • Undergraduate degree candidate completing 60+ credits by by the time of award
  • Enroll in 9 or more credits per semester at West Chester University during the award academic year
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1st. International students must complete a paper version of the FAFSA, available in the Financial Aid Office.

Application Process: The online application for the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Application is available now; Applications are due in early May; Award recipients are notified by late June.

Alice Conway Memorial Scholarship

The Alice E. Conway Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2006 to honor the memory of a beloved member of the West Chester University staff. Alice served the University with distinction for many years, and always provided great comfort, support, and valuable assistance to faculty, staff, and students. She was a member of the Division of Academic Affairs staff for close to two decades before joining the Division of Student Affairs in 1999, where she oversaw the administrative operations of the Counseling Center. Her humor, genuineness, warmth, and care for others were valued traits, and she brought welcomed relief to the many students who passed through the Counseling Center. The University honored Alice in 2003 with the Civility Award in recognition of her untiring dedication to others. After her untimely death, her family, friends, and colleagues created a scholarship in her name to memorialize and honor her "mothering" presence to so many at the University.

Amount: $500

Eligibility: A student who is a parent, guardian, or part of a custodial relationship with a child or children who are under the age of 18

Application Process: This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications

Jane Swan Scholarship

The Jane Swan Scholarship is given each year to a student who demonstrates superior academic achievement and steadfast dedication to improving the lives of women. Jane Swan was the Director of the Women's Center from 1977-1981. Her hard work secured a central location, budget, and graduate student support. In 1979, Jane Swan was instrumental to starting drop-in childcare at the Women's Center to support parenting students. She was especially committed to supporting non-traditional women students at WCU.

Amount: $500

Eligibility: A non-traditional woman in her third or fourth year at the University

Application Process: This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications

Scholarships

Graduate Students

Institute for Women Graduate Grant

The Institute for Women Graduate Grant

Amount: $750

Eligibility: A graduate student who is accepted into a master’s degree program at West Chester University. The award is based on high academic achievement, potential contribution to field of study, demonstrated leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for women and/or other historically marginalized groups.

Application Process: Online application is available during the Spring semester; Application deadline is April 30th; Award decision will be made by late June.

Scholar Program

The Center offers programming throughout the year open to our Mature Student Scholars and other Mature undergraduate students. Our calendar of events for Fall 2020 will be posted in August.

If you have received a scholarship and have been asked to write a thank you note, here are a few tips:

  • Only write a few clear and direct paragraphs.
  • Introduce yourself with a sentence or two about your educational journey so far and what inspires you on that journey.
  • Include a few sentences about your educational and career goals.
  • Connect the scholarship to your goals with a short statement about how the funding you receive will help you achieve those goals.
  • Can be handwritten or digital.

See this document for more reminders about your thank you note and how and where to submit it.

Want to learn more about this year's Scholars? See Edwena Lanier's biography here and Ana Zavala's biography here !

External Scholarships

The following scholarships are available for women students. These scholarships are not coordinated by the Center for Women & Gender Equity.

Please contact the organization managing the scholarship for more information.