Global Scholarship
Global Scholarships are Changing
WPI is committed to ensuring students have access to its transformative Global Projects Program, an internationally recognized component of a WPI education that immerses student teams into local communities to make a tangible, long-term impact in the world.
To enhance financial support for students with need, the Global Scholarship will transition from a scholarship for all students, regardless of financial need, to one awarded based on need.
The transition begins with all new students entering in the fall of 2026 (first-year and transfer students). Current students will not be affected by this change.
Funding will be redeployed to:
- A Global Scholarship for those with demonstrated unmet financial need.
- Supplemental Scholarships that students with unmet financial need can apply for to offset the non-billable costs associated with the project experience (e.g. flight, travel-related costs, food)
- General financial aid to benefit all students.
This model reaffirms WPI’s commitment to access and affordability and provides individualized support for students with need, based on verified financial aid data.
Global Scholarship
The one-time Global Scholarship of up to $5,000 can be applied to any one of WPI’s signature off-campus project experiences, including the Humanities & Arts Requirement (HUA), Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), and Major Qualifying Project (MQP) that are credit-bearing and approved by the Global School.
The Global Experience Office will provide the Office of Financial Aid with a list of the students participating in a credit-bearing, off-campus project for each academic year and the billable costs for the site they will be traveling to. The Office of Financial Aid will determine awards for students who meet the criteria for scholarships.
Supplemental Scholarships
Beginning with all new students entering in fall 2026 (first-year and transfer), students with unmet financial need can apply for a supplemental scholarship through the Office of Financial Aid to help offset the non-billable costs associated with the project experience (e.g. flight, travel-related costs, food.)
We will continue to provide updates as the new funding model is implemented.
Please contact Financial Aid at finaid@wpi.edu or 508-831-5469 with questions.
Is WPI eliminating the Global Scholarship?
No. The university is allocating funding in a different way: focusing on needs-based criteria to make global projects affordable for students with need.
How are the scholarships funded?
Generous donors created some funds to support the program, but the majority of funding has come from WPI’s general operating budget.
I’m a current student; does this affect me?
No; students who enrolled at WPI prior to Fall 2026 remain eligible for a one-time global scholarship of up to $5,000, which can be applied toward billable charges related to an off-campus project experience that is credit-bearing and approved by the Global School, including the Humanities & Arts Requirement (HUA), Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), and Major Qualifying Project (MQP).
When does this change take effect?
The new funding model applies to new and transfer students entering WPI in Fall 2026 and later.
Who will be eligible for Global Scholarship funding?
New and transfer students entering in the fall of 2026 or later who have unmet financial need may be eligible for a global scholarship of up to $5,000. Award amounts will be determined based on a student’s demonstrated financial need and the direct billable costs associated with their specific project center. Current students are not impacted by this change.
Will all eligible students receive the same amount of scholarship money?
Scholarship amounts vary based on financial need and the billable costs of the project center. Because some project centers are more expensive than others, the total scholarship amount a student receives may differ depending on the location and associated billable costs.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
To qualify, you must receive a Federal Pell Grant, be a U.S. citizen, and be studying abroad. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you if you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To learn more visit: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/application-overview/
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has been recognized for its success in making international study and internships more accessible and inclusive for American students of all backgrounds through the Gilman Program. Read more here: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/
To learn more about the Global Experience Office and projects, please visit their website.