Scholarship ApplicationMany scholarships are awarded each year to Wayne college students. Some scholarships are based on financial need while others are based on academic record.

New freshmen must be fully admitted to Wayne College and complete the Wayne College Scholarship Application by March 1 to be considered for the priority awarding. All applications received by July 1 can be considered for a second awarding.

Continuing students/transfer students must submit a Wayne College Scholarship Application by April 1 to be considered for priority awarding. All other applications will be considered for spring only awards.

For full consideration for all types of financial aid, students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 and no later than March 1 for priority consideration for need-based aid..

New scholarship applications and FAFSA renewals are necessary each year.

If assistance is needed, please contact financial aid in the Student Services Center or email waynefinancialaid@uakron.edu. Or, if you would like to fill out a paper copy, you can download the PDF Scholarship Application.

Students attending Wayne may also be eligible for Akron campus scholarships. Students can apply for Akron campus scholarships online.

The following list provides details for the scholarships available to Wayne College students. Some scholarships require an essay and/or additional application materials, as noted in the description, which are available in the Wayne College Student Services Center.

  • William T Baker Family Scholarship
    $1,000. Full-time/part-time student at The Wayne College Holmes Campus, resident of Holmes County, graduate of West Holmes High School, and financial need.
  • Carol M. Briggs Scholarship
    $500. Full-time student. Financial need.
  • Anita Degnan Memorial Scholarship
    $1,000. Full-time student. New freshman, graduate of Wayne County High School. Academic promise. Financial need.
  • Julius Fejes Scholarship
    $1,400. Full-time student, graduate of Orrville High School with 3.25+ GPA, business major and employed part-time or full-time.
  • First National Bank Scholarship
    $500. Full-time student, resident of Wayne/Southern Medina counties, completed 24+ credits at Wayne, academic promise and financial need.
  • Founders Scholarship
    $1,000, full-time student, $500 part-time student. Awards are determined each year by a Wayne College committee in each of these categories:
    1.) Recent high school graduate awarded based on GPA and ACT. Offered automatically to students accepted at Wayne (no scholarship application is required)
    2.) Career Center graduate, full-time with at least 2.5 GPA
    3.) Continuing full-time and part-time students at Wayne (completed 32 credit hrs.) 3.2 GPA
    4.) For GED students, renewable in 2nd year and remains at least half-time with 3.0 GPA.
    5.) Wayne early Admission Scholarship, 3.3 GPA, 22 ACT, fully admitted by March 1.
  • Great Start Book Scholarship
    $300/semester. Full-time/part-time student, based on financial need.
  • Scott D. Hagen Memorial Scholarship
    $500. Part-time student with plans to be full-time the following fall at Akron campus. 3.0+ GPA and biology major or related field. Requires Hagen Scholarship application.
  • The Hecker-Nussbaum Academic Achievement Scholarship
    $500. Full-time Wayne College freshman. This award is given to deserving incoming freshman with an ACT composite of 21 and higher and with a high school GPA between 3.0 and 3.5.
  • The Hecker-Nussbaum Academic Opportunity Grant
    Designated for new part-time Wayne College students who plan to enroll in 3-6 credits per semester. Students must submit an application and fulfill all skills assessment before applying. This grant is based on aid.
  • The Wayne College Holmes Campus Achievement Scholarship, $1500. Graduating high school senior with 3.25 GPA or in top 10% of class with ACT 24+ or SAT 1100+. Up to 12 awards will be made to students graduating from West Holmes, hiland, Waynedale, Central Christian, Triway or Loudonville high schools and attending classes at the Wayne College Holmes Campus. Student must also submit letter of recommendation from high school counselor or faculty member.
  • John P. Kristofco Scholarship
    $1,500. For an entering student (either traditional or adult) at Wayne College who intends to major in either English or education. Traditional student candidates (17-21) should have a high school GPA of at least 3.5, a composite ACT score of at least 26 (1100 SAT), and top 20% class rank.  Adult candidates should have a strong academic background (as determined by the selectors) and should demonstrate either accomplishment in/involvement with writing (if pursuing English) or experience in public service or education (if pursuing education).  A requirement for application to this scholarship, due by March 1, includes a brief essay describing academic-career goals.
  • John & Virginia Kunkle Memorial Scholarship
    $500. Full-time/part-time student, resident of Ohio, completed 15+ credit hours at Wayne with 3.0+ GPA, major area of business, office administration or healthcare office management, and financial need.
  • The Chuck Nicholson’s Auto Superstore Scholarship
    $1,000.   This scholarship financially assists West Holmes High School graduates attending the Holmes Campus and Wayne College. Additionally eligible students must have financial need and reside in Holmes County. The award may be used for tuition, fees and textbooks.
  • The Obiekwe Memorial Endowed Scholarship
    This scholarship was established to support full-time students with a minimum of 30 credit hours enrolled at The University of Akron Wayne College or The University of Akron main campus. However, the scholarship should only be awarded to students at the main campus if there are no qualifying students at Wayne College. Recipients selected must have at least a 3.5 GPA, with an earned “A” in College Algebra, English 111, and 112. This scholarship is based on scholastic achievement and on financial need and will be applied only to tuition fees. The Office of Financial Aid at The University of Akron Wayne College will select the recipients.
  • Orrville Campus Foundation Scholarship
    $1,650, full-time student, $850 part-time student. New freshmen, academic record, and financial need.
  • Marion Rothstein Memorial Scholarship
    $2,000. Full-time student, new freshman, graduate of Wooster High School and nursing major.
  • Bruce Schantz Memorial Scholarship
    $1300, full-time student, $650 part-time student. New freshmen, academic record, financial need and not a recipient of any other UA scholarship.
  • The Peggy J. Shallenberger Memorial Endowed Scholarship
    Eligible students must be enrolled full-time at Wayne College. This scholarship was established in November 2009 by the colleagues of Peggy J. Shallenberger and later endowed through a gift from Peggy's family.
  • Paul H. Smucker Memorial Scholarship
    $1,500. Full-time student, resident of Wayne County, enrolled in a degree-seeking program, academic promise, financial need and community service. (Requires essay on goals and career plans.)
  • Student First Endowed Scholarship
    $500 or two at $250. Dr. Denise J. and Charles G. Uitto established the Student First Endowed Scholarship, formerly known as the Student First Scholarship, in 2008. This scholarship is open to all Wayne College students. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be employed and demonstrate financial need and be enrolled with at least 6 credit hours. Students must have a 2.5 to 3.00 GPA. Dr. and Mr. Uitto have a deep desire to help students succeed in this coursework during their time at Wayne College and this award provides a way of lifting some of the financial burden.
  • Craig Alan Swope Memorial Scholarship
    $1,000 or two $500. Enrolled in Paraprofessional Education program. Financial need.
  • Mike and Cindy Taylor Textbook Scholarship
    $350/semester. Holmes County resident and enrolled at Wayne College or the Wayne College Holmes Campus.
  • (Wagstaff) Dr. H. Reid and Susan Smucker Wagstaff Scholarship
  • Up to $5,000, Wayne resident, GPA 2.5 (students with GPA of 2.5-2.9 must submit letter of recommendation specifying good work ethics and potential for future sucess) full time, renewable up to four years.
  • The Walkerly Memorial Endowed Scholarship
    $250. Eligible students are Wayne County residents with a financial need pursuing a B.A. in Social Work degree at Wayne College and enrolled as a junior or senior only.
  • Janet Barnett Minc and David C. Minc Endowed Scholarship
    $250. Full-time student, second-year Wayne College student, minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate a financial need. For textbook purchases at the Wayne College Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
  • Wayne College Alumni Association Scholarship
    $500. New and continuing students, registered for 6+ credits per semester, 2.5-3.5 GPA, with preference to children of Wayne alumni. 
  • Wayne College Community Scholarship
    $1,000. New and continuing students, preference to students living in Medina, Wayne and Holmes counties, registered for 6+ credits per semester, academic achievement, financial need and those ineligible for federal/state grants per FAFSA.
  • Wayne College Dean's Scholarship
    Amount of scholarship will vary. Graduating high school senior with 3.75+ GPA or in top 10% of class or ACT 26+ or SAT 1150+. Completion of FAFSA required. Must have passed all parts of Ohio Graduation Test and be attending Wayne College. One award available to a graduating student from each of the following high schools: Chippewa, Dalton, Rittman, Orrville, Wooster, Hiland, West Holmes, Wadsworth, Wayne County Schools Career Center, Norwayne, Northwestern, Waynedale, Triway, Smithville, Kingsway Christian, Barberton, Black River, Buckeye, Cloverleaf, Copley, Fairless, Hillsdale, Highland, Loudonville, Manchester, Washington Massillon, Medina County Career Center, Medina, Northwest, Norton, R.G. Drage Career Technical, Tuslaw, and Central Christian. **A letter of recommendation from a high school guidance counselor or faculty member must be submitted.**
  • Wayne College Faculty/Staff Scholarship
    $600/$400. Full-time/part time student. 24+ credits completed at Wayne or part-time student with 12+ credits completed at Wayne, 3.5+ GPA, preference to non-traditional students and those ineligible for federal/state grants per FAFSA.
  • Wayne College Student Senate Scholarship
    $250. Full-time or part-time students actively involved in any club or organization at Wayne College. A continuing Wayne College student with one or more credits completed, an active member in at least one College club or organization, minimum 2.5 GPA, and financial need. Students will submit an essay and need a letter of recommendation from their organization adviser. (Awarded as funds are available.
  • Louis Russell Wilson III Memorial Scholarship
    $1000. This non-endowed scholarship was initiated by Wayne College on the passing of a friend and colleague, Russ Wilson. Russ was always quick with his smile and wit. He will be remembered for his hard work, laughter, jokes, and his kind spirit. Russ worked at Wayne College for over 20 years. He served most of that time as the Coordinator of Academic Advising. He deeply enjoyed assisting students in planning their academic schedules and encouraging them in their future goals. His colleagues at Wayne will greatly miss him and believe that this scholarship is a fitting tribute, as this award will help many students achieve their future academic goals. This memorial scholarship will provide an annual $1,000 award to one recipient. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time at Wayne College and demonstrate a financial need.

The following scholarships are administered through the Holmes County Education Foundation and require a separate application in addition to the Wayne College Scholarship application.

  • The Baserman/Irving Family Scholarship
    $500. This annual scholarship is held and administered through the Holmes County Education Foundation. Holmes County residents attending Wayne College or its Holmes Campus. Part-time or full-time, financial need. Awards limited to tuition and student fees and determined by Wayne College and the Holmes County Education Foundation. Subject to the renewal guidelines of the Foundation. Visit www.hcef.net for more information and application.
  • The French Ridge Title Company Scholarship
    $500. This scholarship is held and administered through the Holmes County Foundation. Part-time or full-time student, female, graduate of West Holmes High School, Holmes County resident, financial need, attending Wayne College or its Holmes Campus with a goal to complete a bachelor's degree. Renewable. Visit www.hcef.net for more information on this scholarship and application.

The following scholarship is administered through the Wayne County Community Foundation.

  • Arden and Clarice Shisler Nationwide Insurance Scholarship (Wayne College)
    Eligibility:     Available to Dalton High School graduating seniors enrolling at Wayne College, University of Akron as a full-time student who have a balance of participation in academics, extra-curricular activities and community service/part-time employment. Applicants must have a minimum 2.50 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Previous applicants and/or recipients may not reapply.
    Term: One Year
    Amount: $1,000
    Number of New Awards Each Year: One
    Contact: Wayne County Community Foundation (http://www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org/)

Other scholarship sources

The University of Akron Undergraduate Scholarship information is available at www.uakron.edu/finaid
Holmes County Education Foundation Scholarship information is available at www.hcef.net
Greater Wayne County Foundation Scholarship information is available at www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships 

** While every effort is made to provide an accurate scholarship listing, information posted is subject to change without notice.