Institutional Scholarships: Academic Excellence, Educational Enrichment Grant, Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished, Phi Theta Kappa Presidential, Transfer Presidential, Talent Trustee, Trustee and University Honors College Scholarships & William Paterson University Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarships

Awarding of Scholarships 

Institutional Scholarships

 Foundation Scholarship

Role of the Office of Scholarships 

University Scholarship Programs Requirements

(Probation and Appeal process)

Institutional Scholarships

Foundation Scholarships

• A scholarship is defined as an award to an undergraduate or graduate student for academic excellence to meet the cost of education.  Scholarships are the primary means by which William Paterson University provides tuition waivers to incoming students (freshmen & transfers) and monetary support to WPUNJ students who meet the academic, financial, and/or other criteria set forth by the donor of a Foundation or Alumni Association scholarship. Academic and personal criteria are verified through student records while financial need must be satisfied through submitted documentation to the Office of Financial Aid.
•  An award is defined as a sum of money given to an undergraduate or graduate student for academic excellence or meritorious service.

 Awarding of Scholarships                                

Institutional Scholarships:

• Institutional scholarships … Academic Excellence, Educational Enrichment Grant, Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished, Phi Theta Kappa Presidential, Transfer Presidential, Talent Trustee, Trustee & University Honors College Scholarships are awarded to incoming students through the Undergraduate Admissions Office for 4 years/eight consecutive academic semesters or 2 years/4 consecutive academic semesters.  All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships and no separate application is required, with the exception of the University Honors College Scholarships.  Students who wish to be considered for this scholarship must complete and submit the University Honors College Application.  Letters of offering and scholarship program requirements are sent by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.  Candidates are advised of a deadline to accept the scholarship and if this deadline is not met, the scholarship is forfeited.  All scholarship recipients are required to apply for need-based financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1^st, and must accept all need-based financial aid.  The University reserves the right to rescind scholarship awards if a student fails to file a FAFSA. 

Foundation Scholarships:

• Most Foundation Scholarship awarding is based on Foundation Scholarship Committee members’ recommendations, while other scholarships are awarded through academic departments.  The Foundation Scholarship Committee is comprised of members of the William Paterson University Foundation Board.  Foundation Scholarship Committee members are advised of donor criteria prior to committee meeting and awarding is subject to final confirmation by the William Paterson University Foundation Board. The Office of Scholarships forwards the recipient an award letter; the recipient must review the Scholarship Statement of Understanding, sign and return it with a letter of appreciation addressed to the donor prior to disbursement of the award on the student account. 
• Scholarships are awarded only to those students who are in attendance at the University and will be enrolled for a minimum of one semester following the granting of the scholarship. All scholarships are credited to the students’ University account. Scholarships under $500 may be awarded in full for one semester while scholarships over $500 are divided equally over the fall and spring semesters. Full-time students are generally given preference over part-time students for scholarships, unless otherwise specified by the donor. 
• Students can receive more than one scholarship; however the scholarships received cannot be in excess of the cost of a student's college expenses (i.e. tuition, fees, room and board, and books).  This is especially important when awarding large amounts of scholarships to those students already receiving significant institutional or outside scholarships and grants. 
• Awards differ from scholarships in that they are smaller in value ($1,000 or less) and are often given to graduating seniors selected by a department committee based on academic merit. They are typically granted during the spring semester and are usually not credited to the student’s University account but given directly to the student in the form of a check.

The Role of the University Office of Scholarships  

• Manage Institutional Scholarships: Academic Excellence, Educational Enrichment Grant, Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished, Phi Theta Kappa Presidential, Transfer Presidential, Talent Trustee, Trustee and University Honors College Scholarship.
• Maintain personal interaction with scholars to ascertain their needs and support and guide them academically and personally.
• Plan and organize information sessions in the academic year for new scholars and upper classmen addressing topics specific to their needs and provide open sessions for scholars to meet informally with the Office of Scholarships staff.
• Regularly inform scholars of the specific requirements of their respective scholarships and notify them of any transgressions. All students are informed that policies and procedures will be enforced on a fair and consistent basis and students will not receive additional funding beyond the prescribed length of the scholarship eligibility.
• Meet regularly one on one with scholars whose scholarship funding is in jeopardy.
• Maintain accurate scholar database, files and roster.
• Monitor scholars’ academic and time limit eligibility and then provide scholars’ scholarship eligibility to the Office of Financial Aid at the end of each semester.
• Develop strategies for increasing scholar retention and graduation rates.
• Work with the Budget Office to ensure fiscal accuracy and integrity of the Scholarship Programs.
• Assist Undergraduate Admissions in conversion efforts to secure accepted scholarship applicants to deposited students at the University.
• Work collaboratively with Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Student Accounts, Center for Student Services, Office of Financial Aid, Office of Registration Services and Office of Residence Life to resolve/assist/advocate for student scholars regarding their issues before a problem arises.
• Review, and update as needed, scholarship brochure information and Office of Scholarships website, which will serve as a reference guide for administering all scholarships.
• Prepare, analyze and submit Institutional Scholarship Programs’ reports regularly to the Associate Vice President in the Provost Office. 
• Oversee Foundation Scholarships (150+ scholarships)
• Maintain and update a comprehensive listing of Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarships along with their criteria.
• Update Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarship application and work in collaboration with Information Systems to get scholarship application online.
• Publicize Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarship application campus wide, via email, Beacon and Pioneer Times, and send letters to current Foundation recipients advising them that they must reapply for renewal of their scholarship.
• Obtain applicants’ financial history from the Office of Financial Aid.
• Ready online Scholarship applications with supporting documentation for the Foundation Scholarship Committee review and selection of recipients.
• Work with Academic Departments and Undergraduate Admissions to ensure scholarship criteria are met and scholarships are awarded in a timely manner.
• Distribute award letters (new and renewals) and send letters to all students who applied but were not selected.
• Generate Foundation and Academic Departmental Scholarships Disbursement Spreadsheet and forward to the Office of Financial Aid for scholarship posting.
• Monitor Foundation and Academic Departmental Scholarship recipients’ academic eligibility and criteria set forth by the donors, and notify Institutional Advancement of any discrepancies.
• Attend Foundation Scholarship events.  
• Work with faculty and administrative offices to ensure support for scholarship students and establish positive collaborative relationships with Academic Support Center, Undergraduate Admissions, Career Development & Advisement Center, Budget Office, Center for Student Services, Office of Student Accounts, Office of Registration Services, Office of Financial Aid, University Honors College, Institutional Advancement and Office of First Year Experience. 

University Scholarship Programs Requirements

Scholarship Probationary status and Appeal Process                       

Institutional Scholarships:

• Incoming first degree students are offered scholarships for 4 years/eight consecutive academic semesters (first year students) or 2 years/4 consecutive academic semesters (transfer students) and are required to maintain satisfactory progress and pursuit toward graduation, full-time status (a minimum of 12 credits per semester) and the required minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for each scholarship program to remain eligible each semester.  
• Scholarship students who have a cumulative GPA that falls below the specified minimum requirements for their respective scholarship programs are automatically placed on ‘scholarship probationary status’ for one semester. The scholarship funding period of 2 or 4 years includes the probationary/grace period. Consideration for continued eligibility will be based on the student's overall performance including the probationary semester. Students are eligible for the probationary/grace period only once during their tenure at William Paterson University and no further grace period is permitted. 
• Scholarship students placed on ‘scholarship probationary status’ are required to meet bi-weekly with a professional staff member in the Office of Scholarships.  The purpose of these meetings is to help enhance the students’ academic performance so that they can maintain future scholarship eligibility.  The students may be also required to attend counseling, tutoring or peer mentoring sessions if deemed necessary.  
• Scholarship students who have a cumulative GPA that remains below the specified minimum requirement after the probationary semester are automatically removed from eligibility for scholarship renewal and are no longer eligible for the respective scholarship(s). 
• If after the probationary period the student is successful and meets the cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater for Academic Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa Presidential, Transfer Presidential, Talent Trustee, Trustee and University Honors College Scholarships, GPA of 2.6 or greater for the Educational Enrichment Grant; and GPA of 2.0 or greater for Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished, the student will be eligible to receive funding up to the maximum amount of funding originally offered by the University. 
• Scholarship students must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintain full-time status each semester (including internships or independent study). They are also required to complete and earn a minimum of 24 credit hours in two successive semesters of an academic year. 
• Talent Trustee Scholarship recipients must maintain enrollment in an Art or Music discipline for renewal, and University Honors College Scholarship recipients must maintain enrollment in the William Paterson University Honors College for renewal. 
• Scholarship students will receive written notification from the Office of Scholarships when they fall below their respective scholarship requirement, do not meet the specified enrollment requirement, are placed on ‘scholarship probationary status’ or subject to non-renewal, meet maximum funding limit or are removed from ‘scholarship probationary status’.  
• For those scholarship students subject to non-renewal, their letter outlines the Appeal Process and establishes for the student a two-week time limit (from the date of the notification letter) to appeal. To appeal a scholarship decision, the student must write a letter of appeal to the University Scholarship Steering Committee (USSC) and submit it to the Director of the Office of Scholarships. The appeal consists of: a letter from the student to make the formal request for consideration, and any documentation supporting the request.  
• Appeal letters are reviewed by the Associate Vice President and others in the Provost Office.  Approval or denial of appeal is then discussed with the Director of the Office of Scholarships.  
• The Office of Scholarships is responsible for forwarding written notification to all students who appeal advising them of the USSC decision. 
• Scholarship students are not “expected to step out” or take a leave of absence and place their scholarship eligibility on hold. 
• However, based on extenuating circumstances, such as, a medical leave, military commitment, and/or to participate in a study abroad experience, a student can appeal to have his/her scholarship placed on ‘hold’ for one semester.  Note: only on very rare occasions would a one full year (two consecutive semesters) leave of absence be granted. 

1.  For those scholarship students new to the University (accepted/deposited prior to officially being registered at the University), a letter of appeal should be written to the Scholarship Representative/Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions.

2.  For those scholarship students matriculated at the University, a letter of appeal should be written to the Director of the Office of Scholarships.

3.  Appeal letters are reviewed for consideration, based on the extenuating circumstances, by each noted department (i.e. Undergraduate Admissions / Office of Scholarships).  Then the scholarship student is notified of the decision in writing by the respective department.  Note: the official notification stipulates if the student does not return by the indicated date on the letter, the student forfeits his/her scholarship. 

• Scholarship students do not receive additional funding beyond the maximum amount of funding originally offered by the University.   
• Scholarship funding cannot be applied toward the cost of summer and/or winter sessions.  Students are encouraged to complete their degree programs within the funding limits of their respective scholarship(s). 
• Scholarship students can view University Scholarship Programs’ Policies and Procedures on the Office of Scholarships website. 

*Note: Exceptions to the Policies and Procedures outlined above may be considered on appeal to the University Scholarship Steering Committee, only based on extenuating circumstances. 

Foundation Scholarships:

• Most Foundation Scholarships are renewable.  To be considered for the same Foundation and/or Academic Departmental Scholarship a student must reapply each year through the online scholarship application process.  As long as the student maintains the set criteria, the Foundation Committee will renew his/her scholarship.  However, a Foundation Scholarship recipient who fails to meet the criteria established by the donor after one semester loses the scholarship. Foundation Scholarships are re-awarded to another student for the following semester if a recipient loses his/her scholarship or graduates after one semester at the University. 
• The William Paterson University Foundation Board must abide by the wishes of the scholarship donor.  In some cases, a donor can be contacted and approve a scholarship to continue if the student slips below the requirements.    
• The Office of Scholarships monitors Foundation Scholarship recipients at the end of each semester to assure that the criteria of the donors are being met and notifies Institutional Advancement of any discrepancies and the Office of Financial Aid if the scholarship is to be cancelled. 
• For scholarships where a minimum GPA has not been specified by the donor, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required. It is important to note that most Foundation Scholarship recipients maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.