Merit Scholarships

For First-Year Students Entering Fall Term 2013

To recognize high school students who have excelled in their pre-college studies, Westminster College offers the following scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are based on merit and will be awarded whether or not a student has financial need. Please refer to the Westminster College Financial Aid brochure for details.

NOTE: In instances where a candidate qualifies for more than one scholarship, students will receive the largest scholarship for which they qualify, with the exception of the Activity Grant which may be offered in addition to one of our other merit scholarships.

NOTE: Any consideration for scholarship increases will be based upon exam scores and/or grades received by the end of February.

Vance Scholarship

$82,000 ($20,500 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a minimum G.P.A. of 3.75 in college preparatory subjects* or be in the top 10% of their class and have a minimum 1300 SAT (math + cr) or a 29 ACT composite. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided recipients maintain an overall G.P. A. of 3.0 or higher.

Trustees' Scholarship

$76,000 ($19,000 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a minimum G.P.A. of 3.7 in college preparatory subjects* or be in the top 20% of their class and have a minimum 1200 SAT (math + cr) or a 27 ACT composite. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided recipients maintain an overall G.P. A. of 3.0 or higher.

President's Scholarship

$74,000 ($18,500 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a minimum G.P.A. of 4.0 in college preparatory subjects.*

Tower Scholarship

$72,000 ($18,000 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 in college preparatory subjects* or be in the top 25% of their class.

Westminster Scholarship

$66,000 ($16,500 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 in college preparatory subjects* or be in the top 35% of their class.

*The grade point average needed to qualify is calculated by Westminster College based on college preparatory subjects earned in grades 9 through 12 and is based on at 4.0 scale. College preparatory subjects include:
  • English
  • Foreign Languages
  • Social Studies
  • College Prep Mathematics
  • Laboratory Sciences



Nominated Merit Scholarships

For First-Year Students Entering Fall Term 2013

Legacy Scholarship

$72,000 ($18,000 per academic year). To be eligible, students must present a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average, and have a parent or grandparent who earned a degree from Westminster.


Jerb Miller Scholarship

Westminster College alumni who are educators have the opportunity to nominate a deserving student for 100 Jerb Miller Scholarships. The Jerb Miller Scholarships are four-year $74,000 renewable awards ($18,500 per year). The scholarships are created in honor of Dr. Jerb Miller, a beloved professor of education at Westminster from 1968 until his death in 1992.

Westminster alumni who are in the education field have been asked to identify a highly qualified graduating high school senior who possesses the personal characteristics that would honor Westminster. Students may select from any of Westminster's 41 majors. The scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who are nominated by an educator who is a Westminster College graduate and have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher.

Nominations close October 31, 2012 for the 2013-2014 Academic Year and a Completed Application for Admission must be received by November 15, 2012.


Young Presbyterian Scholarship

In 2002, as Westminster College celebrated its 150th anniversary, the Board of Trustees took a serious look at the question of what it means to be a PC(USA) related college. As a result, the decision was made to offer up to 150 scholarships, to outstanding PC(USA) students and offer them a way to continue to grow in faith and leadership while on our campus. For First-year Students, entering Fall Term 2013, the scholarship is $18,500 per academic year up to four years. The scholarships are given to all PC (USA) congregations, in essence, to award to a graduating high school senior of their choosing who meets the qualifications of active membership in a PC (USA) congregation and a 3.5 or higher high school grade point average. Candidates must be nominated by their pastor.

Nominations close December 1, 2012 for the 2013-2014 Academic Year and a Completed Application for Admission must be received by December 15, 2012.


How do you know if you qualify for a merit based scholarship?

Complete an Application for Admission and submit it to the Office of Admissions. If you are accepted for admission and qualify, a separate application for a merit scholarship is NOT necessary. You will be notified about the Vance, Trustees', President's, Tower, or Westminster, Young Presbyterian or Jerb Miller Scholarship by mail. If you have further questions, e-mail the Office of Admissions OR write to the Office of Admissions, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001, or call (800) 942-8033, or (724) 946-7100.