Center for Women and Gender Equity

The Institute for Women Graduate Grant

Amount: $750

Eligibility: A graduate student who is accepted into a master’s degree program at West Chester University. The award is based on high academic achievement, potential contribution to field of study, demonstrated leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for women and/or other historically marginalized groups.

Applications are open along the same timeline as the WCU general scholarship application. 

There is no fixed number of Newcombe scholarships to be awarded. The number of awards generally corresponds to the amount of funding available during a given year. Historically, the number of scholarships awarded has been in the range of 20-30 per year, and are awarded in several different amounts, ranging from $500 to $2,500 for the year.  

No. If you meet the criteria for the Alice Conway Memorial Scholarship, please use the same application as the Newcombe Scholarship, which can be accessed here (search for “Newcombe”).  

Yes. If you are enrolled in at least nine credits during the fall semester of your graduation, you are still eligible. If selected, the full amount of your scholarship will be applied to your account during the fall semester.  

Maybe. The primary intention of the scholarship program is to support undergraduate students taking courses leading to their first bachelor’s degree. However, a portion of the awarded scholarships may be made to students enrolled in a second bachelor’s degree programs or in post-bachelor’s certification programs, if the degree or certificate is necessary to gain, maintain or improve employment. If this applies to you, please be sure to discuss it in your application.  

No Newcombe/ Conway Scholarships may be awarded for master’s or doctoral degrees. If you are in a five-year joint degree program, you will only be eligible while you are considered an undergraduate student. 

You may apply for the scholarship without being enrolled in classes, but if you are selected to receive a scholarship, you must take a minimum of 9 credits each semester or the scholarship will be revoked.  

Yes! Prior recipients who still meet all of the eligibility requirements are welcome and encouraged to reapply.  

Applicants for the Charlotte W. Newcombe/ Alice Conway Scholarships MUST fill out and submit the FAFSA by end of the WCU Scholarship Application period.  
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Anyone who wants financial aid for college needs to fill out a FAFSA. All federal grant and loan awards are determined by the FAFSA, and nearly all colleges use the FAFSA as the basis for their own financial aid awards. You may fill out a FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Paper FAFSA applications are available at WCU’s Office of Financial Aid.  Contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at Finaid@wcupa.edu on instructions on how to access a paper FAFSA.  

Yes! International Students will need to complete and submit a paper copy of the FAFSA. Also, please describe in your essay the financial responsibilities that make it difficult to attend or stay in college. The selection committee members award scholarship amounts based on financial need. 

Of course! The essay is the portion of the application that provides the selection committee with the opportunity to get to know you best. We offer it as an opportunity to discuss how the scholarship funds would support completion of your educational goals.  
 
The application essay is split into two parts. In the first part, please provide what you think would be important for the committee to know about your life circumstances. We invite you to think about the things in your life that make it challenging for you to attend and stay in college.  These reasons might include financial support and/or caregiving for children or others, illness, insecure housing, loss of employment or inability to find suitable employment. In this part, please focus on discussing the impact of those challenges on your ability to achieve your goals. The maximum word requirement is 250 words for this part.  
 
In the second part of the application essay, we want you to make a direct connection between your educational goals and your future career goals. The selection committee wants to understand the why behind your degree and your next steps, and how this scholarship can move those goals forward. There is no maximum word requirement for this section, though we invite you to be brief, in the range of 250-500 words.  
 
Consider making an appointment with the Writing Center for assistance during all parts of the essay process.  You can make an appointment by visiting https://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/writingcenter/. The Writing Center offers online and in person appointments. For WCU Philadelphia students, the Student Success Center offers appointments in person and via Zoom . You can make an appointment or learn more by visiting https://www.wcupa.edu/_admin/philly/studentsuccess.aspx.  

Completed applications should be submitted via the accessed here 

All applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of faculty and staff from across the West Chester University community. Committee members will consider specific needs of students in determining the size, range, and number of awards.  

We aim to notify recipients of this scholarship by mid-June.  

Yes. You will be asked to write a letter of appreciation to the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation. You may also be invited to attend programs designed to recognize and/or support Newcombe Scholars. Details of upcoming events will be distributed via email.