International Students

Qualified international students are eligible to receive merit-based scholarships and awards to help fund their Widener education.  Approximately 75% of Widener’s incoming freshmen and transfer students, who are not sponsored by their home government, are attending the university on a merit-based scholarship.  International applicants are evaluated for several scholarships at the time of application.  Other specialized awards require additional applications and consideration.  Any merit-based award(s) you receive are recorded on the I-20, helping to lower the total funding necessary to receive an F-1 visa to attend Widener University.  Merit-based awards are good for each of your four years of study at Widener as long as the specific award requirements are maintained.  The scholarships and awards that you can qualify for include:

• Academic – Based Scholarships
  Deadline: Aug. 15 (fall) & Dec. 15 (spring)
  The most widely earned scholarship, awards for the 2008/2009 school year range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year.  There is no separate application necessary to qualify for these scholarships.   The award amounts are based primarily on a student’s performance in secondary school.  Submitting standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) is recommend, but not necessary, for students seeking scholarship.  The awards are based on a combination of impressive grades, challenging high school coursework, and standardized test scores when available.



• Widener Scholarship                                                                  Deadline: Feb. 15
  A very small number of highly competitive, full-tuition, Widener Scholarships are available for students who rank in the top 10% of their secondary school graduating class, have an approximate grade point average of 3.8 / 4.0, and have scored 1350 or better on the SAT.  To qualify, students must apply for admission by February 15, including submission of SAT or ACT scores.  Qualified students who apply for admission by this date will be contacted regarding their eligibility and the next steps they should take.  Finalists will be required to interview either in person or by phone.



• Presidential Service Corps (PSC) Leadership Awards        Deadline: Feb. 1
  Students invited to join the Presidential Service Corps are eligible for an award of $5,000 per year in addition to any other merit-based scholarships or awards he or she has received.  To be considered for PSC, students must complete a separate application that can be downloaded.  To win this award, students must be highly active in service and leadership within school and in their communities outside of the classroom, while also maintaining strong academics.  Students applying to become a part of the PSC, must also submit SAT and/or ACT score.  Selected candidates must interview for the award and recipients will be required to perform service to the community, university, and world if selected.  You can learn more about PSC including their members, mission, special projects, and more, by visiting the PSC site.



• Honors Program Scholarship                                                      Deadline: Feb 1
  Students with outstanding grades in secondary school and above average SAT or ACT scores can be invited to join Widener University’s prestigious Honors Program.  Highlighted by smaller than average class sizes, outstanding opportunities outside of the classroom, specialize housing, priority registration, and more, students who accept the invitation to the Honors Program will receive a $2,000 scholarship in addition to any other scholarship award he or she has received.  Students must remain in the Honors Program to receive the award each year.  Candidates for the Honors Program are reviewed on a regular basis, but invitations to join the program are usually mailed at the beginning of February.  The Honors Program accepts a maximum of 45 students, and those places are given on a first-come, first-served basis for the invitees.  Interested students can visit the Honors Program site for more specific program information.



• Music Scholarships                                                                      Deadline:  None
  Awards of up to $2,000 per academic year are available to students with outstanding musical abilities.  To qualify for a music scholarship an application is required along with an audition and interview with the Director of Music.  These awards are renewable for four years as long as students continue to meet academic and performance requirements.  For more information and to submit the scholarship application online visit the Music Program site.



• Laptops for Engineering Students                                             Deadline: March 1
  Academically outstanding students pursuing an area of study within the School of Engineering can earn a free, state-of-the-art, laptop computer.  To qualify, students must graduate with either a high school class rank in the top 20% of the class, or with a 3.5 / 4.0, or higher, grade point average at a non-ranking high school.  Additionally, students must have a combined SAT score of 1150 or higher, or an ACT composite score of 26 or higher.  To maintain the award the student must remain in the designated engineering curriculum for at least three semesters, and the computer is theirs to keep.  The entire Widener campus is wireless allowing students the freedom to use their computer anywhere.  Student will have the opportunity to use these computers for coursework, personal use, and anything else they choose.



• Transfer Scholarships
  Deadline: Aug. 15 (fall) & Dec. 15 (spring)
  Undergraduate transfer students, those who have attended another university but have not completed a Bachelor’s degree, also qualify for merit–based scholarships.  These awards range from $4,000 to $12,000 per year and are given based on a student’s cumulative university grade point average and chosen major.  No separate application is necessary and students will be evaluated for scholarship as part of the admissions process.  The award structure is based solely on major and grade point average, and follows this scale:

Cumulative Grade Point Average(GPA)	Award Amount
2.00 - 2.50 2.51 - 2.75 2.76 - 3.00 3.10 - 3.40 3.41 - 4.00	$0 $4,000 $5,000 $7,500 $12,000

Students can find more information about transfer student scholarships and other policies by visiting the transfer information page.

educationUSA
Widener encourages any student living and studying outside of the U.S. to visit their local educationUSA center.  Your local educationUSA center can help you complete and submit your university application, attest documents, locate scholarships and funding, provide information on getting a U.S. visa, and much more.  You can locate your local educationUSA center by visiting their website.

Student Aid on the Web:  U.S. Department of Education
You can find some helpful financial aid information and guidelines published by the U.S. Federal Government on the "Student Aid on the Web" webpage.  This page was constructed by the U.S. government page and offers great information about financial aid policies as they pertain to international students.

Student Loans
International students can take out loans to help fund their educational expenses.  Widener University does not endorse or work with any one specific loan agency, but some current Widener students have used the lenders listed below, among others.  Click on each link to investigate the loan options offered by each lender.

• Teri
• SallieMae
• Wachovia
• Citi
• InternationalStudentLoan.com

Erick Hyde
Coordinator of International Admissions
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
tel: 1-888-WIDENER
fax: 610-499-4676
eshyde@widener.edu