International Scholarships and Funding Opportunities
funding opportunities
Scholarships and Waivers
The University of West Georgia is committed to making a U.S. education both accessible and affordable for international students. Through a variety of scholarships, tuition waivers, and other funding opportunities, UWG supports students throughout their academic journey.
As part of this commitment, UWG offers several scholarships and waiver programs specifically designed for international students, helping to reduce the cost of attendance and expand access to educational opportunities.
Scholarships are financial awards that provide actual funds toward a student's university bill. The scholarship amount is credited directly to the student's account and counts as payment toward tuition and fees. These awards are typically funded through contributions from international alumni and community partners.
Waivers reduce the amount of tuition and fees a student is required to pay. Rather than providing funds to the student's account, a waiver lowers the charges assessed by the University. UWG receives a limited number of waivers each year, which are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
For a list of available opportunities, please review the below information. Awards are divided between what is available for a New Student (For prospective international students applying for admission to a future term) and those available for a Returning Student (For international students currently enrolled at UWG who are seeking additional funding during their studies).
New Student Funding
Sylvia Shortt Global Excellence Scholarship
The Sylvia Shortt Global Excellence Scholarship is UWG's most prestigious scholarship for international students. Each Fall, at least one applicant is selected to receive this award. In the case an awardee is not selected, or does not ultimately enroll for the selected semester, the application will re-open to select an applicant for the following Spring semester.
Named in honor of Sylvia Shortt, who led international student services at UWG for more than twenty years, this scholarship recognizes outstanding students whose academic achievement, financial need, leadership potential, and commitment to community engagement will contribute to the success of the University of West Georgia. The scholarship builds upon the legacy of the original Sylvia Shortt Scholarship established by international alumni to support future generations of international students.
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
- Be a new international student applying for admission to the University of West Georgia.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement.
- Show leadership potential and the ability to make meaningful contributions to the UWG campus and broader community.
- Submit a personal statement and supporting documentation as required.
- Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview.
Award Benefits:
Recipients receive a comprehensive first-year funding package that includes:
- Tuition - Full tuition funding for all semesters of study (Approx. $21,900 per year)
- Mandatory Fees - Full coverage for first academic year (Approx. $1,785)
- Health Insurance - Full coverage for first academic year (Approx. $3,142)
- On-Campus Housing Allowance* - $3,550 for the first academic year
- On-Campus Meal Plan Allowance* - $2,132 for the first academic year
- Textbook Allowance* - $1,200 for the first academic year
- Visa Application & SEVIS (I-901) Reimbursement* - $535 one-time award if the selected applicant does not already have an F-1 visa.
- Travel Stipend to the United States* - $1,000 One-time stipend for students arriving from outside the U.S.
Benefits above marked with (*) are set estimates of actual costs. Depending on student's selections, the actual cost may be higher, but the allowance will not adjust to meet the full cost.
Scholarship Renewal:
Following the first year, recipients may continue to receive a full-tuition scholarship through graduation, provided they:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative UWG GPA of 3.0
- Remain enrolled full-time
- Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing
- Continue demonstrating engagement within the UWG community
Deadlines:
To be considered for the award, the student must be offered admission to the Fall semester and submit a completed scholarship application by March 1st preceding enrollment.
In the case an awardee is not selected, or does not enroll in the Fall semester, a student will be selected from the following Spring semester. To be considered, the student must be offered admission to the Spring semester and submit a completed scholarship application by October 15th preceding enrollment.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award after being offered acceptance to UWG. Applications are made via Scholarship Universe
Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers at the University of West Georgia (UWG) are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Students may apply for a waiver after being admitted to a UWG undergraduate (bachelor's degree) program. Recipients are expected to actively participate in campus life and engage in leadership opportunities at UWG.
Waivers are awarded annually and must be renewed each year before the Fall semester by submitting a new waiver application. The percentage of the waiver awarded is based on the academic strength of the student's application. To qualify for a particular award level, students must meet the corresponding GPA, SAT, or ACT requirement.
The waiver reduces a percentage of the out-of-state or out-of-country portion of tuition. It does not affect the in-state tuition rate, which all students are required to pay.
Eligibility:
| Waiver Category | Transfer or Secondary School GPA Requirement | SAT Requirement | ACT Requirement | Minimum Institutional GPA to Maintain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential (100% waiver) | 3.5+ GPA | EBRW - 630 Math - 590 | English - 27 Math - 25 | 3.5+ GPA |
| Scholastic (75% waiver) | 3.25+ GPA | EBRW - 580 Math - 540 | English - 24 Math - 22 | 3.25+ GPA |
| Academic (50% Waiver) | 3.0+ GPA | EBRW - 530 Math - 490 | English - 21 Math - 19 | 3.0+ GPA |
| Merit (25% Waiver) | 2.75+ GPA | EBRW - 480 Math - 440 | English - 17 Math - 17 | 2.75+ GPA |
Requirements:
Students must apply via the application below. Student must already be accepted to UWG at the time of application. Student must submit a resume and a personal statement via the application. Supporting documents must describing the merits of your application and how the award would benefit you and your plans at UWG. The statement should be thoughtfully and well-written, 1-page, and double-spaced. Applications requesting waivers that are short, brief, paragraph length or incomplete will be denied.
Renewals:
Students must reapply for the waiver each academic year during the Spring semester. GPA audits are performed at the end of each semester. If a student's GPA dips below the required minimum, they may receive a probationary semester at the discretion of the ISAP office, based upon waiver availability.
During a probation semester, the student may retain their higher award level while taking classes with the intention to improve their GPA to the required minimum. Failure to meet eligibility requirements by the end of the probationary semester will result in the waiver being reduced or removed, based on the final GPA following the next semester. All waiver renewal considerations are based on the student's institutional GPA.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award after being offered acceptance to UWG. Applications are made via the International Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Application
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers at the University of West Georgia (UWG) are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Students may apply for a waiver after being admitted to a UWG graduate (master degree, or higher) program. Recipients are expected to actively participate in campus life and engage in leadership opportunities at UWG.
Waivers are awarded annually and must be renewed each year before the Fall semester by submitting a new waiver application. The percentage of the waiver awarded is based on the academic strength of the student's application. To qualify for a particular award level, students must meet the corresponding GPA requirement.
The waiver reduces a percentage of the out-of-state or out-of-country portion of tuition. It does not affect the in-state tuition rate, which all students are required to pay.
Eligibility:
Graduate students must first apply for the Graduate School waiver, before being considered for a partial waiver from the International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP) office. The Graduate School Waiver can be found at: Graduate Student Out-of-State Waiver Application
If a student is denied a waiver from the Graduate School, the student may complete an application for the ISAP waiver. ISAP waivers are limited to 50% and 25% values.
For 50% eligibility, the student must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
For 25% eligibility, the student must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award after being denied a Graduate School Tuition Waiver. Applications are made via the International Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Application
Returning Student Funding
Sylvia Shortt Scholarship
The original Sylvia Shortt Scholarship continues to support international students who experience significant financial need during their studies at UWG.
Eligibility
Open to continuing UWG international students who have demonstrated academic commitment and are facing documented financial hardship.
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated financial need
- Academic performance
- Quality of personal essay
- Personal circumstances and supporting documentation
- Documenting Financial Need
Because international students do not generally qualify for federal financial aid, financial need is assessed through a holistic review process. Examples may include:
- Currency devaluation
- Natural disasters
- Medical expenses
- Loss of family income or sponsorship
- War or civil unrest
- Theft or identity fraud
Applicants should provide supporting documentation whenever possible, such as bank statements, medical summaries, police reports, or news articles.
Deadline:
Awards for this scholarship begin March 1st, and students are encouraged to apply before this date for full consideration.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award via Scholarship Universe
James R. Rash Rotary Club of Carrollton Scholarship
This scholarship was developed by the Georgia Rotary Club to support the collaboration between the club and the University.
Eligibility:
This scholarship supports former Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) participants who wish to continue their studies at UWG. If no eligible GRSP student applies, returning international students entering their junior or senior year may be considered.
Deadline:
Awards for this scholarship begin March 1st, and students are encouraged to apply before this date for full consideration.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award via Scholarship Universe
Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers at the University of West Georgia (UWG) are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Returning students may apply for a waiver, in the case they were not selected for an award at the time of admission, after completing a full academic year of undergraduate (bachelor's degree) study. Recipients are expected to actively participate in campus life and engage in leadership opportunities at UWG.
Waivers are awarded annually and must be renewed each year before the Fall semester by submitting a new waiver application. The percentage of the waiver awarded is based on the academic strength of the student's application. To qualify for a particular award level, students must meet the corresponding institutional GPA requirement.
The waiver reduces a percentage of the out-of-state or out-of-country portion of tuition. It does not affect the in-state tuition rate, which all students are required to pay.
Eligibility:
| Waiver Category | Institutional GPA to Qualify | Institutional GPA to Maintain |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential (100% waiver) | 3.5+ GPA | 3.5+ GPA |
| Scholastic (75% waiver) | 3.25+ GPA | 3.25+ GPA |
| Academic (50% waiver) | 3.0+ GPA | 3.0+ GPA |
| Merit (25% waiver) | 2.75+ GPA | 2.75+ GPA |
Requirements:
Students must apply via the application below. Student must submit a resume and a personal statement via the application. Supporting documents must describing the merits of your application and how the award would benefit you and your plans at UWG, as well as what contributions the student has made to enhance UWG so far during their studies. The statement should be thoughtfully and well-written, 1-page, and double-spaced. Applications requesting waivers that are short, brief, paragraph length or incomplete will be denied.
Renewals:
Students must reapply for the waiver each academic year during the Spring semester. GPA audits are performed at the end of each semester. If a student's GPA dips below the required minimum, they may receive a probationary semester at the discretion of the ISAP office, based upon waiver availability.
During a probation semester, the student may retain their higher award level while taking classes with the intention to improve their GPA to the required minimum. Failure to meet eligibility requirements by the end of the probationary semester will result in the waiver being reduced or removed, based on the final GPA following the next semester. All waiver renewal considerations are based on the student's institutional GPA.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award after being offered acceptance to UWG. Applications are made via the International Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Application
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers at the University of West Georgia (UWG) are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Returning students may apply for a waiver, in the case they were not selected for an award at the time of admission, after completing a full academic year of graduate (master degree, or above) study. Recipients are expected to actively participate in campus life and engage in leadership opportunities at UWG.
Waivers are awarded annually and must be renewed each year before the Fall semester by submitting a new waiver application. The percentage of the waiver awarded is based on the academic strength of the student's application. To qualify for a particular award level, students must meet the corresponding GPA requirement.
The waiver reduces a percentage of the out-of-state or out-of-country portion of tuition. It does not affect the in-state tuition rate, which all students are required to pay.
Eligibility:
Graduate students must first apply for the Graduate School waiver, before being considered for a partial waiver from the International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP) office. The Graduate School Waiver can be found at: Graduate Student Out-of-State Waiver Application
If a student is denied a waiver from the Graduate School, the student may complete an application for the ISAP waiver. ISAP waivers are limited to 50% and 25% values.
For 50% eligibility, the student must have an institutional GPA of 3.5 or higher.
For 25% eligibility, the student must have an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Application:
To apply, students must submit an application for the award after being denied a Graduate School Tuition Waiver. Applications are made via the International Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Application