Scholarship Universe
Scholarship Universe has WSU and approved nationwide scholarships, making it easy for you to find scholarship opportunities that fit your unique situation. The program will match you with potential scholarships based on your profile information and your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information and all you have to do is apply for the scholarships that you want to.
Scholarship Universe can be found in your eWeber Portal by searching for “scholarship” or “scholarship universe.”
Steps for Getting Scholarships
1
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Even if you do not get Pell Grant funding from the Government, completing the FAFSA can match you with more scholarships in Scholarship Universe.
2
Create a profile in Scholarship Universe
It takes 30 minutes to one hour to answer as many questions as you can in your profile to ensure you get as many scholarship matches as possible.
3
Apply for Scholarships
You will be matched with scholarships you are qualified for. You need to then apply for the scholarships you want to apply for. Some may require an essay or more time than just simply applying.
4
Check Back Frequently
Matches are always being updated so check back frequently to see what scholarships are available for you to apply for.
What are Scholarships?
Scholarships are free money that you do not have to pay back. There are a variety of scholarships available for academic merit, different life situations, the college you are in, and based on need, so it is important to complete your FAFSA and complete as many questions as you can in your Scholarship Universe profile and keep that information updated. The scholarships in Scholarship Universe have been vetted so you can be assured that they are not scams.
How Does FAFSA Affect My Scholarships?
You complete FAFSA to get Pell Grant money, student loans, and work-study funding. Pell Grants are need-based free federal money that you do not need to repay, except under certain circumstances. FAFSA data is also used to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships. Even though you may not qualify for a Pell Grant you still may qualify for need-based scholarships in Scholarship Universe. Work-study is a job and you earn wages. It is required by some employers (on and off campus) because the program helps pay for some of your salary. Even if it is not required, it is often greatly appreciated by employers if you have work-study while you are going to school.
What is a Waiver?
Waivers, which are often called scholarships, only waive tuition and are similar to a store discount. For example, if you have a 50% off sale, you pay 50% less than the item's price. In the same way, waivers reduce the cost of tuition, but they can never exceed the total amount of tuition. Once the full amount of tuition is waived, the discount reaches 100%, meaning the tuition is fully covered. You can't receive more in waivers than the cost of tuition.
Academic Waiver
Four-year, academic waivers are awarded when a student is admitted directly out of high school. Academic waivers are awarded automatically and students do not need to complete an application in Scholarship Universe to receive those.
Activity Waiver
Activity waivers are not academic and can be awarded at any time. They are often awarded for one year, but sometimes just a semester. Some ways to get activity waivers include participating in student government and being involved in certain departments.
Questions about Scholarship Universe? Contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships office. finaid@weber.edu or fafsahelp@weber.edu