Presidential Scholarship

About the Scholarship

If you are a high achiever, consider applying for this prestigious opportunity. The Presidential Scholarship pays your tuition, mandatory fees, and your room and board (up to $10,400) all four years while you are at UC.

In addition to incredible financial support, the Presidential Scholarship also provides you with the opportunity to meet regularly with UC President Roth for mentoring and leadership skill development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any incoming Fall 2025 freshman who has:

• Been admitted to UC
• A High School GPA of 3.75 or higher
• A demonstrated record of leadership and citizenship
• A desire to become a campus leader while serving the UC & Charleston communities

Application deadline is 5:00 pm EST on January 17, 2025

The Application Process

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and select up to 15 semi-finalists for the first interview round. Semi-finalists will be contacted by February 7 and Zoom interviews will take place the week of February 17. (Semi-finalists who do not advance to the next round will be offered a semi-finalists scholarship package.)

Following the Zoom interviews, up to nine finalists will be invited to campus for a finalist interview event. During the event, you will have interviews with faculty, staff, current Presidential Scholars, and President Roth.

Finalists will be notified of their selection by February 28 and will be invited to campus in March (date TBD) for final interviews. (Finalists who are not selected as Presidential Scholars will be offered a finalist scholarship package.)

How to Apply

To apply for the Presidential Scholarship, you must submit an application package to scholarships@ucwv.edu by 5:00 pm EST on January 17, 2025. You application package must include:

• Your full high school transcript
• Resume of extracurricular activities, community services, and leadership accomplishments
• Two (2) personal essays (see below for topics) and two (2) recommendation forms completed by a teacher, coach, or mentor (may not be completed by a family member)
• Other examples of your personal successes and accomplishments

Application Guidelines

• All documents must be submitted to scholarships@ucwv.edu by the deadline (5:00 pm EST on January 17, 2025) as PDF or .doc files.
• All email submissions must include “Presidential Scholarship – [Student’s Full Name]” in the subject line.
• Recommendation forms (2) must be emailed by the recommender, not the student.
• Applicants must submit essay responses to the following two (2) prompts*:
  • UC’s mission is to prepare students for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement. Describe how our mission aligns with your future goals and plans.
  • What is the most important lesson you’ve learned at this point in your life. How did you learn it, and why is it so important to you?

*by submitting these essays, you are affirming that they are entirely your original work. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

• You must submit (or have your counselor submit) your current high school transcript.
• You must submit a resume of your extracurricular activities, community services, and leadership accomplishments.
• You may submit any other materials you feel would help the selection committee get to know you better. This is not required, and will not count against you if you choose not to submit additional materials.

Questions?

Submit any questions about the scholarship or the submission process to scholarships@ucwv.edu. Please allow two business days for a reply.

2024 Presidential Scholars

Four high school seniors have been selected to receive the 2024 University of Charleston’s Presidential Scholarship – the highest-level scholarship the University offers – covering full tuition, fees, housing, and meals for four years, with a total value of $183,920.

• Gavin Bias, Scott High School, Danville, WV, majoring in business
• Ana Clara Chaguri, Colegio Uirapuru (high school), Sorocaba, Brazil, majoring in biology
• Grace Gatts, John Marshall High School, Moundsville, WV, majoring in management
• Ella Zucchero, Acton District School, Acton, Ontario, Canada, majoring in exercise science

2024 Presidential Scholar Finalists

In addition, the University will award scholarship packages of between $20,000 – $25,000 per year (the lower amount is for the students choosing to commute, rather than live on campus), with a total value of up to $100,000 over four years to the following Presidential Scholar Finalists:

• Connor McKown, Wirt County High School, Le Roy, WV, majoring in nursing
• Alison Morgan, Hundred High School, Wileyville, WV, majoring in biology
• Libby Stricklen, Roane County High School, Walton, WV, majoring in accounting
• Montanna Vannoy, Herbert Hoover High School, Charleston, WV, majoring in psychology