Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships for First-Year Students

2024-25 Academic Year Merit Scholarships

For new students starting in fall 2024: Merit scholarships and awards are based on a student's cumulative weighted high school grade point average (GPA) and the merit level is established at the time an admission decision is made. Merit scholarship levels are established annually and scholarships are renewable for up to four years at the same level as initially received. Students initially enrolling for January 2024 should contact the BW Admission Office for information regarding merit scholarships.

ACT/SAT Test Scores

Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) are not required for admission to BW, regardless of a student’s cumulative high school grade point average, and are not factored into a student’s merit scholarship eligibility.

Disbursement of Scholarships

Scholarships and awards are credited in two equal amounts to billing statements beginning fall semester. If a student is only enrolled for one semester during an academic year, then only half of the scholarship or award will be credited.

Eligibility

A completed BW admission application is the only document needed to determine scholarship and award qualifications. Only full-time students are eligible for these awards. Scholarships are renewable up to four years based on good academic and social standing.

Students may also be eligible for need-based aid. However, the combination of federal, state and BW gift assistance will not exceed full tuition.

Students eligible to receive scholarships and special awards include U.S. citizens, dual U.S. citizens, green card holders, eligible non-citizens who qualify to file a FAFSA, and residents of most U.S. territories. Foreign nationals and DACA students should review scholarships for international students.

Special Awards

Additions to Merit Scholarships

Special awards that can be added to merit scholarships. No additional application is necessary unless otherwise noted. Full-time enrollment required.

Name	Award	Criteria
Alumni Award	$2,000	Awarded to the children and grandchildren of BW graduates.
Sibling	$2,000 per sibling	Awarded to student siblings simultaneously enrolled as full-time undergraduates at BW.
Heritage	$3,500	Awarded to admitted underrepresented, underserved students who will enrich BW's cultural diversity. View the U.S. Department of Education’s list of race/ethnicity definitions.
Come Live the Experience (CLE)	$5,000	Awarded to admitted liberal arts majors who reside outside of Ohio.
BW Visit Grant (Fall 2024 start students)	$2,000	Visit grants are eligible for new first-year students who start in fall 2024 and have visited campus by December 1, 2023. Guaranteed for four years or completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. Visit grants cannot exceed $8,000 ($2,000 per year), regardless of the number of times a student has visited. Learn more.
Griffiths Scholarship	$2,000 - $8,000	Awarded to admitted Conservatory of Music students who demonstrate outstanding musicianship and talent in the audition process. Scholarship announcements are made after March 15. Renewable up to four years, based on a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ and enrollment in the Conservatory.
Say Yes Choice Grant	$5,000	Awarded to students attending eligible schools within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Students must have an adjustable gross income of more than $75,000 per year. Five students are selected each year.
Boesel Award – Business Majors	Varies	Awarded to a limited number of outstanding students who plan to complete a major in the school of business at BW. The number and amount of awards vary. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0+ at BW. Renewable for up to four years. Full-time enrollment required.
BW Marching Yellow Jackets Scholarship	Varies	Awarded to undergraduate students who become members of the BW Marching Yellow Jackets. The first year of participation is worth $500 per year, growing $100 each year a student maintains their participation in the band. Students do not need to audition or major in music but need to register for band camp. Learn more.
Choose Ohio First STEM	Up to $5,000	Awarded to full-time applicants who are Ohio residents with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Women, first-generation students, economically disadvantaged, or historically underrepresented minorities are highly encouraged to apply. Must be pursuing a STEM major (see link below for more info). Applications and recommendations are reviewed after the deadline. The priority consideration deadline is February 1. The final deadline is March 1. Learn more about Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarships.

Alternatives to Merit Scholarships

Special awards that can only be received in place of merit scholarships (or equivalent awards). Full-time enrollment required.

Name	Award	Criteria
Community-Based Awards	$13,000	BW has partnered with a select number of organizations in Northeast Ohio to offer awards for first-year students, valued at $13,000 per year. Students receive the higher total of either their community-based award or their BW academic merit scholarship (or equivalent award such as the Yellow Jacket Success Grant or RaiseMe micro scholarships received in place of a merit scholarship). Learn more.
RaiseMe	Up to $13,000	Although BW is no longer actively partnering with RaiseMe, any micro scholarships earned through July 1, 2023 with a total value of up to $13,000 per year will be honored for first-year students. Students receive the higher total of either their micro scholarships or their BW academic merit scholarship (or equivalent award such as the Yellow Jacket Success Grant or a community-based award received in place of a merit scholarship). Learn more.
Ministerial	Up to 50% of tuition	In honor of BW's Methodist history, BW offers a Ministerial Award to dependent students (ages 17 to 23) of ordained United Methodist ministers who are full members of an annual conference. May be received in combination with other BW awards when, the total amount of all BW awards, including the Ministerial Award, equals no more than 75% of tuition.
Say Yes Scholarship	Up to full cost of tuition	Awarded to students attending eligible schools within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Students must demonstrate a household adjustable gross income of less than $75,000 per year and their household income must remain below this threshold to renew the award.
Sage Scholars Tuition Rewards	Up to $33,500	Awarded to students who are members of the Sage Scholars Tuition Rewards program. Students receive the higher total of either their Sage rewards points (divided evenly over four years of full-time attendance) or the sum of the combination of a BW merit scholarship and special awards.

Special awards are applicable to fall and spring enrollment only.

Outside Scholarships

The financial aid office maintains a list of scholarships and resources outside of the BW community.

Tuition and Fees for Undergraduate Liberal Arts and Students

2023-2024 Academic Year

Full-Time Students

12-18 credit hours per semester

	Each Semester	Full Year
Tuition	$18,669	$37,338
On-campus housing and meals ¹	$6,590	$13,180
Student Activity Fee ²	$200	$400
Onboarding Fee (1st semester only) ³	$200	$200
Total (Residential)	$25,659	$51,118

¹ Listed cost is the combined total for a standard double room and the prime meal plan.

² An annual $400 Student Activity Fee ($100 for part-time students) is applied to all student accounts who first enrolled at BW as first-year students in fall 2021 or later. This fee is applied to the student balance, $200 each semester ($50 for part-time students), and is eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable. The fee is used to enhance the quality of activities that directly benefit students, including programs, services, student facility improvements, and events. These activities enrich the student experience, build community, and help students stay on track toward graduation.

³ A one-time $200 Onboarding Fee for first-year and transfer students provides access to online, virtual and in-person orientation and onboarding programs that ensure a successful start at BW. This fee is applied to the student balance and is not eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program fee: Not listed above, an additional fee of $700 is administered for each of the student's final five semesters in the BSN program ($3,500 total over five semesters). Items covered by the fee include: books (in the final five semesters), stethoscope, lab supplies, lab coat, uniforms, graduation items, and exit exams.

Part-Time Students

1-11 credit hours per semester

	Per Credit Hour
Day Students	$1,160
Evening Students	$802
Weekend Classes	$802
Field Experience	$802
Independent Study	$802
Summer Classes (2022)	$525
Student Activity Fee (per semester) ²	$200
Onboarding Fee (one-time fee) ³	$200

Additional resources: view cost of attendance details for the 2023-24 academic year.

Tuition and Fees for Conservatory of Music Students

2023-2024 Academic Year

FULL-TIME STUDENTS

12-18 credit hours per semester

	Each Semester	Full Year
Tuition	$20,225	$40,450
On-campus housing and meals ¹	$6,590	$13,180
Student Activity Fee ²	$200	$400
Onboarding Fee (1st semester only) ³	$200	$200
Total (Residential)	$27,215	$54,230

¹ Listed cost is the combined total for a standard double room and the prime meal plan.

² An annual $400 Student Activity Fee ($100 for part-time students) is applied to all student accounts who first enrolled at BW as first-year students in fall 2021 or later. This fee is applied to the student balance, $200 each semester ($50 for part-time students), and is eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable. The fee is used to enhance the quality of activities that directly benefit students, including programs, services, student facility improvements, and events. These activities enrich the student experience, build community, and help students stay on track toward graduation.

³ A one-time $200 Onboarding Fee for first-year and transfer students provides access to online, virtual and in-person orientation and onboarding programs that ensure a successful start at BW. This fee is applied to the student balance and is not eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

1-11 credit hours per semester

	Per Credit Hour
Day Students	$1,285
Student Activity Fee (per semester) ²	$200
Onboarding Fee (one-time fee) ³	$200

Additional resources: view cost of attendance details for the 2023-24 academic year.

Estimate Your Cost of Attendance

Net Price Calculator: The BW Net Price Calculator is designed to give prospective first-year students and families an estimate as to what kind of financial support they may be eligible to receive while attending Baldwin Wallace University. Please note: the calculator is currently programmed to use cost and scholarship information for the 2023-24 academic year.

Students Entering College in Fall 2024

Prospective first-year students expecting to enroll in college in fall 2024 are encouraged to use the BW Net Price Calculator. Merit scholarships and awards within the net price calculator are based on a student's cumulative weighted high school grade point average (GPA).

Please note, the U.S. Department of Education is currently in the process of revising financial aid calculations as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress in 2020. Because the details of these updates are not anticipated to be available until December 2023, the accuracy of the BW Net Price Calculator for students entering in fall 2024 may be adversely impacted.

Beginning in December 2023, students may reduce the time needed to use the BW Net Price Calculator by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step necessary to receive a financial aid offer from BW.

Financial aid offers for the fall 2024 entry term will begin being processed in early spring 2024 for admitted students who have filed a FAFSA. BW financial aid offers will include updated cost and scholarship information for the 2024-25 school year.

As noted above, merit scholarships and awards within the net price calculator are based on a student's cumulative weighted high school grade point average (GPA).

Students Entering College in Fall 2025 or Later

Prospective first-year students who do not plan to enroll in college until after the fall 2024 term are encouraged to use the BW Net Price Calculator while also anticipating possible adjustments to tuition and scholarship levels, as well as financial aid calculations as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act.

Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships for First-Year Students

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