Engage Scholarship
Engage with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½! Students who are actively engaged perform better, persist better,
and compete better for future opportunities. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ seeks students who don’t merely look
to attend Western, but who look to Live Western.
High school seniors who apply as first-year students at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for summer/fall 2026 can apply for an ENGAGE scholarship. The more you have engaged while in high school, the more you engage with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ during the college search process, and the more you explore potential engagement opportunities at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, the greater your chance to receive a $1,000 ENGAGE Scholarship for your first year at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ (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 MyÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ account. A preview of the information required for the application is listed below:
High school seniors who apply as first-year students at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for summer/fall 2026 can apply for an ENGAGE scholarship. The more you have engaged while in high school, the more you engage with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ during the college search process, and the more you explore potential engagement opportunities at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, the greater your chance to receive a $1,000 ENGAGE Scholarship for your first year at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ (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 MyÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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.
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Event Engagement
- Honors Day (by invitation)
- Honors Interview (by invitation)
- Performing Arts Audition
- Tournament of Champions (Band Competition)
- ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Summer Camp (e.g. sports or band)
- School/Group Tour
- Other Visitation Events (e.g. Math Day)
- Other Events
Present ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Engagement
To be competitive for the ENGAGE Scholarship, you must complete at least three ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ engagement actions. These activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Preferably Financial Aid/Scholarship Priority Submission (Jan 2), but no later than Mar 15.
- ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Scholarship Application Submission (Feb. 1 Deadline).
- FAFSA Submission
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Faculty & Staff Engagement
- Spoke with a ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ representative at a college fair.
- Participated in a virtual chat/event.
- Met with a ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ faculty or staff member.
- Other Interactions
Potential ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ coursework Fall 2026 (may begin early in one of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Summer Bridge Programs).
Engage Scholarship Terms and Conditions
- Students must be offered admission to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and must meet the UNC System (MCR) and (MER).
- Scholarship is non-renewable (one-time only award).
- Students must complete all required steps by stated deadlines in order to be eligible for consideration.
School Codes
- SAT: 5897
- ACT: 3172
- FAFSA: 002981
- GRE: 5897
Related Information
