You must file the 2021-22 FAFSA by March 1, 2021, to be considered for this need-based award. This award is offered to eligible freshmen and transfer students who are admitted and begin attending in the fall semester.

Note: Awards will be given until funding is exhausted, so it is best to get your FAFSA filed as soon as possible.  

WSU award renewal criteria

Scholarship policies

Wayne State Promise Grant

The WSU Promise Grant aims to help incoming freshmen stay on track to graduate within four years.

Award for new freshmen - fall 2021

• The Promise Grant can cover as much as $3,000 for up to four consecutive years, beginning the semester of admission.
• There is an option to apply for a fifth award year, provided you are on track to graduate.

Award requirements

• Incoming freshmen who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 5001-9000 will automatically be considered for this award
• This award is for fall and winter semesters and is disbursed only to students who attend full-time (12 or more credit hours)
• The sum of all aid received cannot exceed your financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
• This is a need-based award that may be reduced or canceled if you are receiving merit, talent or endowed scholarship awards.
• WSU must receive your 2021-22 FAFSA by March 1, 2021.

To retain the award

• Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester) during the fall and winter semesters
• Pass at least 24 credits per academic year
• If you earn a bachelor's degree in less than four years, the award will terminate at that time.
• File your FAFSA each year, continuing to demonstrate need with an EFC between 5001-9000.

Current award recipients must

• Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester) during the fall and winter semesters
• Complete at least 24 credits per academic year
• If you earn a bachelor's degree in less than four years, the award will terminate at that time.
• Students must file the FAFSA each year, continuing to demonstrate need with an EFC between 5001-9000.
• Students admitted before Fall 2017 must file the FAFSA each year, continuing to demonstrate need with an EFC between 0-8000. 

Award for new community college transfer students - fall 2021

• The Promise Grant covers as much as $3,000 for up to two consecutive years, beginning the semester of admission.
• This award is renewable for up to two years

Award requirements

• This award is available to qualified incoming transfer students who are currently enrolled at a community college. Students who were enrolled at a community college within one of the two semesters prior to their anticipated starting term at Wayne State University are also eligible.
• Students who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0-6000 will automatically be considered for this award
• This award is for fall and winter semesters and is disbursed only to students who attend full-time.
• The sum of all aid received cannot exceed your financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
• This is a need-based award that may be reduced or canceled if you are receiving merit, talent or endowed scholarship awards.
• WSU must receive your 2021-22 FAFSA by March 1, 2021. Awards will be given until funding is exhausted.

To retain the award

• Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester) during the fall and winter semesters
• Pass at least 24 credits per academic year
• If you earn a bachelor's degree in less than two years, the award will terminate at that time.
• Students admitted before Fall 2019, must file your FAFSA each year, continuing to demonstrate need with an EFC between 0-8000.