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Tuition pledge programs

The Wayne State University tuition pledge programs make college more affordable. Students who qualify for these programs enjoy zero out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and standard fees, for up to four years of full-time study.  

Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge

The Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge offers free tuition for students of Detroit high schools or Detroit residents earning a high school diploma. Your tuition and standard fees will be completely covered by federal, state and WSU scholarships and grants for up to four years of full-time study.

$14,638 tuition & fees minus $14,638 scholarships & grants equals zero costs
Completion of the FAFSA is required, but financial need as a result is not required to receive the award. If any student struggles with completion of the FAFSA, they should reach out to the Office of Student Financial Aid to speak with a financial aid officer.

Award for incoming first-year undergraduates - fall 2025

  • Funding through the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge will cover up to the full cost of tuition and standard fees (matriculation, registration and student service fees) minus federal, state and other WSU scholarships and grants. 
  • This award is renewable for up to four years, with the option to apply for a fifth year, provided you are on track to graduate

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, students must:

  • Live in the city of Detroit (verified by mailing address) and graduate from high school in 2020 or after
    OR 
    graduate from any Detroit high school (public, private, charter, parochial, home school or GED program) in 2020 or after.
  • Be admitted to Wayne State University as a first-time, full-time freshman in fall 2025.
  • WSU must receive your 2025-26 FAFSA by April 1, 2025. Awards will be given until funding is exhausted.
  • Must apply for admission to WSU by April 1, 2025.

To retain eligibility

  • Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
  • Maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester) during the fall and winter semesters
  • Pass at least 30 credits per academic year
  • To secure your funding, please submit the annual FAFSA as soon as possible

Heart of Detroit 

If you don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) you will not be able to complete the FAFSA online and will need to submit a signed paper FAFSA to our office with our cover sheet. This must be submitted by the deadline.

This award will ensure tuition and fees are paid, but does not cover any other costs such as housing.

Born to Be a Warrior Tuition Pledge

The Born to Be a Warrior Tuition Pledge is a merit award for eligible children of full-time Wayne State employees and will ensure all tuition and standard fees are covered for up to four years of undergraduate study. 

All incoming first-year undergraduates, transfer students and current undergraduates who meet the award requirements and submit the application will be considered for this award. Completion of the FAFSA is required, but financial need as a result is not required to receive the award. International students will also be considered for this award. Only citizens of the United States and eligible non-citizens need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Award 

  • Funding from this award will cover the full cost of tuition and standard fees (matriculation, registration and student service fees) minus federal grants, state scholarships and grants, dependent tuition benefits and other university scholarships and grants. 
  • This award is renewable for up to four years, with the option to apply for a fifth year, provided you are on track to graduate.
    • Current students who were admitted as first-year undergraduates may be considered for an award that will end four years after their first semester at WSU. Students who were admitted as transfer students may be considered for an award that will end two years after their first semester at WSU.

Eligibility requirements for an award 

Complete the Born to Be a Warrior Scholarship application form available on our forms website. 

  • The student must be the child or stepchild of a current full-time Wayne State University employee. The child does NOT have to be an IRS dependent of the WSU employee.
  • First-year undergraduates must have a 3.5 high school GPA at the time of admission.
  • Transfer students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA from their current college or university and a 3.5 high school GPA at the time they graduated from high school.
  • The scholarship is for undergraduates who do not have a bachelor's degree.
  • This award is disbursed during the fall and winter semesters to students who attend full-time (12 or more credit hours)
  • Complete the annual FAFSA.
  • In addition to the above criteria, current students must have a cumulative WSU GPA of at least 3.0.
  • The WSU employee parent must apply and qualify for Spouse/Child Tuition Benefits.

Submit copies of all transcripts to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Wayne State University
P.O. Box 02759
Detroit, MI 48202

You also may be able to order your transcripts online.

To retain eligibility

Once you receive your award, you may continue to receive the scholarship if you meet other requirements; this is the case even if your parent is no longer employed at WSU. 

Employee Tuition Assistance Application or Spouse/Child Tuition Benefit Application

WSU Scholarship Policies

Apply for admission 

This award will ensure tuition and fees are paid, but does not cover any other costs such as housing.

Wayne Access Tuition Pledge for continuing students

We are not offering new awards for this program.

To retain eligibility

  • Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
  • Maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester) during the fall and winter semesters
  • Pass at least 30 credits per academic year
  • File your FAFSA each year, continuing to demonstrate need with an EFC between 0-5000.
  • If you earn a bachelor's degree in less than four years, the award will terminate at that time.