Merit-Based Scholarships — Bachelor's Scholarship

Merit-Based Scholarships are institutional awards from Illinois Wesleyan University for international students pursuing undergraduate study on campus in Bloomington, Illinois. They are assessed through the admission application, with no separate scholarship application.

IWU states that the awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, while the broader admission review considers the applicant’s academic record and application information holistically. Test scores are optional, and test-optional first-year and transfer applicants remain eligible for merit consideration.

Benefits & funding

Merit scholarships can provide up to USD 38,000 per year and may be renewed for up to four years.
These awards are not full rides; recipients remain responsible for costs such as housing, meals, health insurance, visas, and international travel.
Applicants seeking additional IWU-funded aid may submit the CSS Profile by the preferred March 1 filing date.

Eligibility

Applicants must be international students, which IWU defines as people who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
Applicants must seek admission to an undergraduate program at IWU; both first-year and transfer applicants can receive merit consideration.
IWU’s need-sensitive international admission process requires the applicant to demonstrate capacity to contribute at least USD 30,000 per year before academic and holistic review.
Applicants must complete the admission application and required supporting materials; test scores are optional and test-optional applicants remain eligible.
There is no separate merit-scholarship application.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled

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Application process

1
Start either the Common Application or the Illinois Wesleyan Application.
2
Submit the online application and arrange for the school to send official transcripts; provide English-proficiency evidence and proof of financial support where required.
3
Ensure the admission file is complete; IWU automatically considers admitted international students for merit scholarships.
4
Submit the CSS Profile separately by the preferred March 1 date only if seeking additional IWU-funded financial aid.

Program timeline

Common Application and Illinois Wesleyan Application become available.
August 1
Early Action application deadline.
November 15
Early Action decisions issued by this date.
December 15
Preferred CSS Profile filing date for additional aid.
March 1
Regular international application deadline listed on the international applicant page.
March 15