William Paterson University offers an education of tremendous value in a learning community that is committed to providing academic excellence. In support of this commitment, the University provides a variety of student assistance and scholarship opportunities on the basis of need, scholastic performance and related achievements. William Paterson recognizes that many of its students, at some point, will require financial assistance. Therefore, the University is proud to be able to provide the resources to meet most students’ needs. Each year, more than 1,000 scholarships are awarded totaling over $5.4 million.
All students applying for scholarships at William Paterson University are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, transfer students must submit a financial aid transcript from their previous institution(s). To allow for processing time, students are encouraged to file a FAFSA by April 1st. The FAFSA may be completed on line at www.fafsa.org. The FAFSA form is also available in high school guidance offices, community organizations and College and University financial aid offices.
*Note: For priority consideration for first-year and transfer Institutional Scholarships, all supporting documentation must be received by the Undergraduate Admissions Office by February 15 for fall semester enrollment and November 1 for spring semester enrollment. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come basis. All scholarship recipients are required to apply annually for need-based financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please direct inquiries in reference to the below Institutional Scholarships to our Admissions Scholarship Representative, Mr. Anthony Leckey, Senior Associate Director of Admissions. Mr. Leckey can be reached at leckeya@wpunj.edu or (973) 720-2900.
Institutional Scholarships
(Administered by the Undergraduate Admissions Office)
William Paterson University offers merit based scholarships to incoming freshmen and students transferring to William Paterson after beginning their studies at another college or university (more detailed description outlining criteria, deadline, application, and supporting documentation can be found on the Admissions web page under Scholarships for first-year and transfer students), click here to go to Admissions.
Freshmen Awards :
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Trustee Scholarships: $2,000 to $7,000 scholarships, awarded to high-achieving high school students for their academic accomplishments, high school record and SAT (critical reasoning and math).
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Talent Trustee Scholarships: $1,000 to full tuition scholarships, awarded to high-achieving high school students, merit based with an emphasis on enrollment of students who demonstrate an exceptional level of potential, creative talent in their art portfolio or music audition.
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University Honors College Scholarships: $2,000 scholarships, awarded to high-achieving high school students, who are admitted to and enroll in the William Paterson University Honors College.
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Academic Excellence Scholarships: (15) four-year $1,000 scholarships, based on academic achievement and extracurricular activities, high school record and SAT (critical reasoning and math).
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Educational Enrichment Grants: (30) four-year $1,000 awards, based on high academic profiles, extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership. Preference is given to students attending New Jersey high schools in an ABBOTT school district.
transfer awards :
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Transfer Presidential Scholarships: $3,000 to $4,000 scholarships, awarded to transfer students, based on number of credits or earned associate degree and college grade point average.
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University Honors College Scholarships: $2,000 scholarships, awarded to high-achieving transfer students, who are admitted to and enroll in the William Paterson University Honors College.
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New Jersey Residents Attending New Jersey Community Colleges: NJ STARS – scholarships equivalent to the difference of tuition and fees minus the sum of all grant and scholarship funds from which the student is eligible to receive. Awarded to NJ STARS I associate degree graduates with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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New Jersey Residents Attending New Jersey Community Colleges: Phi Theta Kappa Presidential Scholarships – full tuition scholarships, awarded to transfer students, who have earned an associate’s degree from a New Jersey community college, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher and are members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
all incoming students
- New Jersey World Trade Center Dependent Waiver Program: full tuition and fees scholarships, awarded to New Jersey residents, children or spouses of those who died in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.
Academic Departmental Scholarships and Awards
These Foundation Scholarships and Awards
are offered annually by the following academic departments, pending renewal by the donors.
4444COLLEGE
OF ARTs AND COMMUNICATION
Mae and Fletcher Fish Music Scholarship
One $2,000 scholarship awarded to an incoming graduate music major who demonstrates either outstanding music performance skills or outstanding scholarship. For more information, contact Cameron MacManus, Director of Music Admissions (973) 720-3466 or Dr. Jeffrey Kresky (973) 720-3470.
Music Faculty Awards
Ten to fifteen awards funded by the Music Faculty and ranging from $150 to $400, awarded annually to outstanding Music students. For more information, contact the William Paterson University Chairperson of the Music Department (973) 720-2315
Music Department Talent awards
Awards are provided for incoming and continuing students based on outstanding musical talent ranging from $300-$500. Awards are granted for one year, and may be renewable each year through the Music Department. Applications are available through the Music Department and must be submitted at the time of application or early in the spring semester. For more information, contact Cameron MacManus, Director of Music Admissiona (973) 720-3466 or Dr. Jeffrey Kresky (973) 720-3470
Tami Cotsakos ’71 Music Scholarships
A number of scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 have been created by alumna Tami Cotsakos for classical music students in recognition of their outstanding musical talents. Recipients are expected to meet the normal expectations of the Music Department. Scholarships may be renewable for up to four years with full-time status and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. For more information, contact the William Paterson Music Department (973) 720-2315
Thad Jones Memorial Scholarships
Awards are granted to full-time students majoring in the Jazz Studies Program who demonstrate outstanding jazz performance. Each scholarship will be no less than the tuition for 3 credits and no more than 6. Scholarship awards are renewable upon meeting requirements specified by the Music Department. Scholarship applications are available through the Music Department. Students must submit the application with an audition tape of approximately 20 minutes of a recent musical performance by March l5th. For more information, contact Dr. David Demsey, Jazz Studies Coordinator (973) 720-2268
4444COLLEGE
OF EDUCATION
Paterson Teachers For Tomorrow
Several full tuition and fees scholarships have been created through the generosity of the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, Raymond Miller, the John Victor Machuga Foundation and others. Recipients are graduates of the Paterson school district and members of the Future Teachers Club who want to return to Paterson to teach in an urban district. Award is net financial aid. Students are recommended through collaboration between the College of Education and the Paterson Public Schools. For more information, contact the College of Education (973) 720-3748
4444COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Chatterjee Scholarships
Three $2,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time students majoring in Asian Studies. Applicants must submit, for review and consideration by the Asian Studies Scholarship Committee; a scholarship application, including a 250 word essay explaining their interest in Asian Studies and at least one letter of recommendation, preferably from a faculty member/teacher. Chatterjee recipients are eligible to re-apply each year, by May 1st, for renewal of the scholarship with a letter of interest (a new letter of recommendation is not required). Recipients' academic progress will be reviewed at the end of the year to determine eligibility for renewal and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the major and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, enroll in at least one course on South Asia beginning the second semester and henceforth and continue enrollment in an Asian language course for at least 4 semesters while receiving the scholarship. The Chatterjee scholarships are intended primarily for new majors and preference will be given to incoming first-year students. Students who are currently Asian Studies minors and those who are not yet affiliated with Asian Studies (including transfer students) may also apply. The scholarship committee reserves the right to solicit applications from qualified students who meet the outlined criteria. The application deadline is June 1, 2007. For more information, contact Dr. Pixy Ferris, Department of Communication (973) 720-3338
Desai Scholarships
Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time students majoring or minoring in Asian Studies. Applicants must submit, for review and consideration by the Asian Studies Scholarship Committee; a scholarship application, including a 250 word essay explaining their interest in Asian Studies and at least one letter of recommendation, preferably from a faculty member/teacher. Desai recipients are eligible to apply each year, by May 1st, for renewal of the scholarship with a letter of interest (a new letter of recommendation is not required). Recipients' academic progress will be reviewed at the end of the year to determine eligibility for renewal and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the major and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, enroll in at least one course on South Asia beginning the second semester and henceforth and continue enrollment in an Asian language course for at least 4 semesters while receiving the scholarship. Students who are currently Asian Studies minors and those who are not yet affiliated with Asian Studies (including transfer students) may also apply. The scholarship committee reserves the right to solicit applications from qualified students who meet the outlined criteria. The application deadline is June 1, 2007. For more information, contact Dr. Pixy Ferris, Department of Communication (973) 720-3338
4444COLLEGE
OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH
C. Kent Warner Scholarships
Five awards of $1,000 are presented to full-time Biology and Biotechnology undergraduate students each year. Scholarship awards are renewable based on a maintained cumulative GPA of 3.0 and continued undergraduate status as a Biology major. Applications are available in the Biology Department office and require an essay to be included with submission. The deadline is March 15th. For more information, contact the William Paterson University Chairperson of Biology (973) 720-2245
Improving Student Success in Biology and Biotechnology Scholarships (ISSBB) - Ten to twelve scholarships made available by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation. Scholarship awards will vary based on financial need, with a maximum award of $9,000, and will be given each year to full-time WPUNJ students pursuing a B.S. in Biology or Biotechnology. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years given the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in science and math and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application; two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a science, math or technology instructor; and a personal statement outlining goals, financial need, education plans and career objectives. Scholarship Committee will review student college transcript(s), and high school transcript(s) for those applicants who have earned less than 24 college credits. NOTE: To be eligible for an ISSBB Scholarship, the applicant must: provide documentation of U.S. citizenship, national or alien classification as a refugee; and have a current FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office. The application deadline is March 3, 2008.
For more information, contact Dr. Eileen Gardner, Chair, Biology Department (973) 720-3441
Foundation Scholarships
The following scholarships were made possible
through the generosity of donors to the William Paterson University
Foundation. Scholarships are subject to renewal by donors and actual
amounts may vary depending on donations and accrued interest.
For consideration of the below Foundation Scholarships, please forward a letter of interest to the Office of Scholarships. The letter should indicate the following: why you feel you are deserving of a scholarship opportunity and list your academic accomplishments and community and extracurricular involvement. Our Foundation Scholarship committee meets in the summer to review and award these scholarships annually. For additional information on these scholarship opportunities, you may contact the Office of Scholarships at (973) 720-3720
Audrey and Albert Pelham Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship funded by Sally Hand. Scholarship is awarded to an African American student who is a graduate from an inner-city high school or returning to college to complete his/her degree. Scholarship is renewable for up to four years if the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher the first year and 2.75 for subsequent years.
Fred C. Rummel Scholarships
Multiple scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 funded by the Rummel Foundation. Scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in William Paterson University Honors College. Recipients must have graduated from a high school in either Essex or Union County in New Jersey, demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, trustworthiness and character through community service or high school activities and have demonstrated financial need. Scholarship may be renewable if a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is maintained.
John Victor Machuga Foundation
Scholarships
Full tuition and fees scholarships created by the John Victor Machuga Foundation. Scholarships are awarded to graduates of a Passaic county high school who demonstrate significant financial need, qualify for financial aid and exhibit leadership traits that bring recognition to the University and/or the community.
Russell and Ethel Muter Scholarship
One $500 scholarship funded by Russell and Dr. Ethel Muter ‘73. Scholarship is awarded to a student who has an associate’s degree from a community college in New Jersey, with preference given to Raritan Valley Community College. Recipient must be either a Math or Accounting major, have maintained satisfactory academic progress, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Sara j. longendyke scholarship
One $400 scholarship funded by Daniel Terhune, the Longendyke family and friends in memory of Sara Longendyke. Awarded to a student who graduated from Cllifton High School, 80th percentile with a minimum of 1000 SAT score. Preference is given to a female student.
