Cohen Honors College Scholarships

The Honors College Merit Scholarship awards $500 a year for up to two years to new incoming freshmen and new incoming transfer students. You must be admitted to Wichita State University and submit your application to the Cohen Honors College by the following priority date for consideration:

• Incoming freshman: November 1  
• Incoming transfers: February 1

To apply for the Cohen Honors College Merit Scholarship, students must submit:

• The WSU Admissions online application
• The Cohen Honors College online application by November 1

*International Students are not eligible for the Honors College Merit Scholarships*

The Lenora McGregor Endowed Scholarship awards up to $26,000 for up to four years of study to an incoming freshman student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the past, has an academic vision for the future and who expresses an interest in advancing knowledge through individual learning. 

To be eligible to compete, you must be a current high school senior. 

To apply for the McGregor Scholarship, students must submit:

• The WSU Admissions online application by October 15
• The Cohen Honors College online application by December 15. .
• The Lenora McGregor Application by January 2. Application is available now in Scholarship Universe.  Important note: The McGregor application uses the same essay prompt as the Honors application. Please save your essay to use in both applications.

Interview selections for the Lenora McGregor Endowed Scholarship will be made by the end of January 2024.

To remain in good standing in the Cohen Honors College and continue receiving your Merit and McGregor Scholarships you must:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and complete at least 3 Honors credits each year or complete a 12-credit Honors track
• Enroll in and successfully complete at least 30 credit hours each academic year. If you are not receiving a scholarship, you must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (fall and spring).

NOTE: If students have fewer than 24 hours remaining in their degree program, enrollment exceptions may be granted on an individual review based on a written request.

The Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College IMA scholarship was established to honor Bill Cohen and recognize honors students in business, engineering, or leadership. Bill graduated from East High School and went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in insurance. Upon graduation, he joined his father at Cohen-Steenrod as an insurance broker, eventually taking over the company, now called the IMA Financial Group. Under Bill's leadership, IMA became a model of innovation and creativity. Bill supported his community with equal vigor. He believed in education, democracy, and life-long learning.

Application deadline: Feb 1 each year when funds are available.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate Students
• Sophomore standing or higher in fall 2023 semester
• Enrolled full time at Wichita State University in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College
• Pursuing degrees in business, engineering, and/or the Honors College leadership track
• May be renewed

Students are required to maintain good standing within the college and complete a half-day externship with an insurance company, preferably IMA, to expose students to the field and to the importance of corporate responsibility.

Application for this scholarship requires students to submit a resume and a personal statement that demonstrate academic achievement, innovation, and leadership. Award will be made with regard to financial need.

Apply here

A generous gift from Dorothy and Bill Cohen allows the Cohen Honors College to offer Cohen Enhancement Scholarships of up to $4000 support current Honors students in activities such as study abroad, National Student Exchange, unpaid internships, national conferences, undergraduate research or service learning. 

Apply through the online application. You will be asked to write a statement about your personal and professional goals, submit a budget and a timeline.

Application deadlines: July 15, October 15, and Feb 15. Applicants will be notified of results approximately four weeks after the deadline. If you need an expedited review, please email honors@wichita.edu. 

Note: You may apply for study abroad funding before you receive a program acceptance. We'll ask you to submit your acceptance before any funding is disbursed.

Additional review of applications will take place March 15 if funds are available. 

Check out our spring 2020 CES information meeting to hear from students!

Video by: Theodora Thach and Madison Domebo, Applied Video Production class, Elliott School of Communication

The Battin-Lester Corporate Responsibility Outstanding Essay Competition provides funding for students to engage in writing essays on a pre-determined topic each year. Topics are related to the areas of corporate responsibility, civic engagement, and nurturing an inclusive Wichita community.

Get more information and apply here.

The Cohen Honors College advises all WSU students, including Honors students, applying for competitive National Scholarships such as the Rhodes, Truman and Fulbright. Read through the general information sheet and email honors@wichita.edu to make an appointment to talk about your application.