Merit-Based Scholarships for First-Year Students

You are worth the investment

First-year student

Scholarships, Grants & Awards

All students who have submitted a completed application to Wells College will be considered for the following merit-based scholarships, grants and awards. Recipients are selected at the time of admission based on information supplied in the application. These funds are for undergraduate, full-time students only and are awarded by the Admissions Committee.

Note: international students are also considered for our Henry Wells, Trustee, President’s, Dean’s, and Alumni Opportunity Awards.

For a full financial aid package that includes all available funding opportunities, submit your completed FAFSA to Wells College (school code 002901).

Wells Grants are supported by the Wells College endowment and by gifts it receives from generous friends of the College.

Henry Wells Scholarship

$24,000

Henry Wells Scholars demonstrate outstanding consistent academic achievement and leadership skills throughout high school. This award includes a stipend of up to $3,000 that can be used to support internships or other experiential learning.

Trustee Scholarship

$22,000

Trustee’s Scholars maintain academic excellence in high school and demonstrate leadership skills through active contributions to the enrichment of the individual’s school or community with active involvement in co-curricular and/or community activities.

President's Scholarship

$20,000

President’s Scholars have excellent academic standing and are actively engaged in extracurricular programs outside of the classroom.

Dean's Scholarship

$18,000

Dean’s scholars present records of academic improvement and consistent extracurricular participation.

Alumni Opportunity Award

$16,000

The Alumni Opportunity Award recognizes students with outstanding potential to thrive and contribute as part of the Wells community

Janet Taylor Reiche '52 Legacy Award

$1,000

Awarded to students who have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who is a graduate of Wells College.

21st Century Leadership Award

$10,000

This scholarship is awarded to high school juniors for their dynamic spirit and integrity, as well as intellectual and leadership qualities. Students must be nominated by their guidance counselors, and a maximum of two qualifying students can be nominated from each school. Qualified candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 85% and demonstrate leadership ability and/or potential through school and community activities. 21st Century Leaders can finish high school with the comfort of knowing there is guaranteed financial support for their college career at Wells. By continuing to improve their performance in academic and extracurricular activities during their final year of high school, students can increase their chances to qualify for other Wells College merit-based scholarships upon submission of a completed application for admission. See the Counselor Resources page for more details.

Empowering New York Leaders Award

up to $1,000

This award is granted to eligible students who submit a completed application for admission by January 1 and are also residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, or the Bronx.

Dual Enrollment Award

$500

Entering first-year students who participated in a dual enrollment program through a local community college while in high school are eligible to receive this $500 scholarship. This award is renewable and will be combined with other merit-based aid for up to four years of full-time enrollment at Wells College.

Local dual-enrollment programs include:

Cayuga Advantage at Cayuga Community College
Gemini at Finger Lakes Community College
CollegeNow at Tompkins Cortland Community College

Explore scholarship options on RaiseMe

We partnered with RaiseMe to offer micro-scholarships that recognize your everyday achievements and allow you to start earning money for college beginning in 9th grade. You can earn up to $13,000 per year, which will be included in your Wells College financial aid offer. You may receive even more in merit-based scholarships or financial aid once we review your application and FAFSA, but the money you earn from Wells College on RaiseMe is the minimum guaranteed amount you will receive from Wells.

Endowed Funds

Wells Grants

Wells Grants are supported by the Wells College endowment and by gifts it receives from generous friends of the College. If your family situation doesn’t change from year to year, your grant(s) will not change in subsequent years. You are automatically considered for Wells Grants when we review your application.