While most U.S. federal financial aid is restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international undergraduate students may apply to other funding sources. For a U.S. university to issue an I-20 or DS-2019, international students must provide evidence of the ability to pay for all tuition and living expenses.
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education and can be awarded upon various criteria that might include academic merit and demonstration of financial need.
Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities at WMU
Diether H. Haenicke Scholarship (Terms & Conditions)
Departmental scholarship awards
WMU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
THE DIETHER H. HAENICKE SCHOLARSHIP (TERMS & CONDITIONS)
The Diether H. Haenicke Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to international students upon first-time admission to Western Michigan University. The award amounts are determined on the basis of the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a four-point scale.
Awards of the Haenicke Scholarship are contingent upon available funds.
Criteria for Selection
Student must have been admitted to WMU.
Student must have non-resident international status.
International undergraduate students applying for and enrolled in fully online degree programs (programs comprised of all online courses) will NOT be eligible for the Haenicke scholarship.
Undergraduate degree-seeking student entering WMU for the first time after secondary school or transfer from another post-secondary institution.
A complete application to the University must be received by February 1 and meet all application requirements.
Intending F-1 SEVIS Active students to study in the US.
Scholarship Eligibility & Award Amounts
Scholarship eligibility and award amounts applicable to students beginning in the Fall of 2021 or in subsequent semesters:
Cumulative GPA (on a four-point scale)Award Amount (per year)*3.50—3.69$5,0003.70—3.94$7,5003.95—4.0$15,000
*In the event Homeland Security permits online classes in excess of regulatory limits, and if students take exclusively online courses in Fall or Spring semester(s), the scholarship award amount will be reduced by 20% accordingly, to adjust the scholarship amount to the lower tuition cost of online courses.
*Awards of the Haenicke Scholarship are contingent upon available University funds. Early applications are encouraged.
Additional Scholarship Disbursement & Renewal Details
Paid in equal amounts in fall and spring semesters.
Renewable up to eight semesters or until graduation requirements are met, whichever comes first. Students in the Pathway Program (Dual Enrollment) may be eligible to receive up to nine semesters. Scholarship funds will cover ONLY the academic credits, not the ESL/CELCIS credits during the Pathway Program.
Criteria for Renewal
To retain your scholarship from one academic semester to the next, you must:
Be enrolled full time at WMU, for a minimum of 12 credit hours during each Fall and Spring semester
Maintain nonresident, international status. You must also:
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year
Maintain F-1 active SEVIS studying in the US in Fall and Spring semesters
The maximum award eligibility is limited to four years (8 semesters) or graduation, whichever comes first.
Scholarship Payments
Each fall and spring semester, the University will credit your scholarship to your student account, provided you are enrolled for at least 12 credits. The Scholarship is usually posted approximately one week before the first day of classes. The Diether H. Haenicke Scholarship applies only to WMU academic tuition. Students coming to CELCIS before WMU will be awarded the scholarship for WMU academic classes only after successfully completing the CELCIS program.
Payment Adjustments After Drop/Add Period
If you drop below 12 credit hours after your scholarship has paid, your scholarship for that semester will be canceled and billed back to your WMU student account.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Please monitor your semester grades, and the total credit hours you had successfully completed in each academic year. If you are NOT maintaining the required GPA or credit hour requirements, you have one opportunity to explain your deficiency and appeal for re‐instatement of your scholarship.
You must submit an appeal letter together with the Scholarship Reinstatement Appeal form as soon as possible upon realizing that you had failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
An appeal committee will review the documents. You will be notified of the committee’s decision approximately one week after the appeal form and supporting documents are received in the Financial Aid office.
If you choose not to appeal, your appeal is denied, or you choose to stop attending WMU for a fall and/or spring term, your scholarship cannot be reinstated.
Changes in Enrollment
To avoid cancellation of your scholarship, please notify International Admissions and Services of your plans in writing if you will be:
Taking a leave of absence for one or more fall/spring semesters.
Enrolled in less than 12 credit hours for academic reasons (i.e. enrolled in an internship, graduation, or other extenuating circumstances).
If you leave WMU or transfer to another college or university, you will no longer be eligible for this scholarship.
Terms & Conditions Subject to Change
Eligibility and award amounts as published here represent currently approved scholarship amounts. However, Western Michigan University reserves the right to amend the scholarship terms and conditions without prior notice, upon approval by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
Global Engagement Component
By accepting this award you become eligible to participate in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education’s (HIGE) global engagement promotion and recruitment activities, for which you will be contacted by the HIGE staff.
