Promise Scholars Program

At the very founding of Ohio Wesleyan University, a promise was made. Every student who worked hard, applied themselves, and had a genuine desire to learn and grow was promised the opportunity to receive an Ohio Wesleyan education, regardless of the student’s ability to pay.

That founding promise made in 1842 is still important today, and yet many families need more assistance beyond the financial aid packages the University already provides. One way to help meet the growing need is through the OWU Promise Scholars Program.

Supporters of the Promise Scholars program commit to give $5,000 per year for four years toward the financial aid of a student for the entirety of the student’s undergraduate experience. The donor’s name is then attached to a Promise Scholarship and matched with a deserving student. Ohio Wesleyan shares information about student recipients with Promise Scholars supporters and, whenever possible, makes a personal introduction. Promise Scholars supporters can see their student grow, mature, explore, and discover themselves as the student takes full advantage of an Ohio Wesleyan education and launches into the greater world.

Gifts to the Promise Scholars program support OWU students through the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, are counted in class giving totals, and are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. But the best benefit to being a Promise Scholars supporter, by far, is the opportunity to get to know OWU’s greatest asset — its students. Promise Scholars supporters see first-hand the living embodiment of their philanthropic investment and understand how truly life-changing an affordable education can be.

Students are truly the lifeblood of the institution, and Ohio Wesleyan is now — as it has always been — committed to removing financial barriers that may keep a student from obtaining an Ohio Wesleyan University degree. Your support of the OWU Promise Scholars program ensures deserving students can say “Yes!” to an Ohio Wesleyan education.