Engage Scholarship

Engage with WCU! Students who are actively engaged perform better, persist better, and compete better for future opportunities. 51看片seeks students who don鈥檛 merely look to attend Western, but who look to Live Western.

High school seniors who apply as first-year students at 51看片for summer/fall 2026 can apply for an ENGAGE scholarship. The more you have engaged while in high school, the more you engage with 51看片during the college search process, and the more you explore potential engagement opportunities at WCU, the greater your chance to receive a $1,000 ENGAGE Scholarship for your first year at 51看片(stackable with other aid offers up to the cost of attendance).

If you are intent on being a successful college student within and beyond the classroom, then complete and submit the ENGAGE Scholarship Application no later than April 1. The ENGAGE scholarship will be available to students on October 1 within your MyWCU account. A preview of the information required for the application is listed below:

Engage Scholarship Expectations

Prior Engagement

Share a minimum of three examples of high school or community engagements that have been meaningful to you. Examples could include:

Scholastic activities (e.g., National Honor Society or Beta Club),
School clubs,
Civic or community involvement,
Performing groups (e.g., band, chorus, drama),
Experiential learning (camps, conferences, study abroad or other cultural immersion),
Athletic participation,
Service learning,
Employment.

present wcu engagement

To be competitive for the ENGAGE Scholarship, you must complete at least three WCU engagement actions. These activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Timely Submissions:

Preferably Financial Aid/Scholarship Priority Submission (Jan 2), but no later than Mar 15.
51看片Scholarship Application Submission (Feb. 1 Deadline).
FAFSA Submission

51看片Event Engagement

Honors Day (by invitation)
Honors Interview (by invitation)
Performing Arts Audition
Tournament of Champions (Band Competition)
51看片Summer Camp (e.g. sports or band)
School/Group Tour
Other Visitation Events (e.g. Math Day)
Other Events

Engagement with 51看片Faculty/Staff

Spoke with a 51看片representative at a college fair.
Participated in a virtual chat/event.
Met with a 51看片faculty or staff member.
Other Interactions

Potential 51看片Engagement

Go to , click on the Find Organizations link, and review the range of clubs and organizations. List a minimum of three that may be of potential interest to you, and provide a brief statement regarding your interest.

Eligibility: Who is considered for the Engage Scholarship?

Undergraduate students pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
First-year students (no college coursework completed after high school graduation).
- Early College students are eligible for consideration provided they apply as first-year students and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Students in a Cullowhee-based major (no online/distance learning programs).
Students enrolling fulltime (12 credit hours per semester).
Students beginning 51看片coursework Fall 2026 (may begin early in one of WCU鈥檚 Summer Bridge Programs).