Washburn University continues to invest in students with new scholarship guidelines

Topeka, Kan. – Students applying to Washburn University no longer need ACT or SAT scores to qualify for merit scholarships. Automatic awards are now based only on their high school grade point average (GPA).

“Washburn University is committed to the success of our students, so we continually review our scholarships to ensure we are making college affordable,” said Dr. Alan Bearman, interim executive director of enrollment management and dean of the Center for Student Success and Retention at Washburn University. “These new scholarships are designed to help students and their families choose Washburn with the knowledge that a great education is also affordable.”

Merit scholarships are renewable and range from $4,000 to $20,000 during a four-year span. Qualifying GPAs begin at 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Washburn University graduates already have the lowest debt when compared to other public regional universities in Kansas according to U.S. News and World Report. Combined with its ranking as the state’s top public regional university, Washburn provides a high-quality education with great value.

“Credit goes to our enrollment management team who recognized a revision was needed to best serve our students. We are energized by the impact this could have on future Ichabods,” said Marshall Meek, interim president, Washburn University.

Washburn’s new initiative joins a national trend in higher education of removing standardized testing as an admissions requirement. Critics claim the tests are unfair to minority and low-income students. And during the Covid-19 pandemic, many students found it extremely challenging to access the testing as most centers either shutdown or greatly limited their availability.

“We are committed to equitable access and success. The focus of our new scholarship model is on a high school GPA and not the ACT because it is not a holistic representation of a student’s potential,” said Bearman.

Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees.  The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Applied Studies, the School of Business, the School of Nursing, the School of Law and the Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the east Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

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