Scholarships

Students who are enrolled in degree and select certificate programs may be eligible for both merit and need-based scholarships. Scholarship awards cover tuition only.

Note: Washington University employees and their spouses/partners or dependents are not eligible for University College scholarships.

Applying for Scholarships:

Step 1: Apply for a degree or qualifying certificate program* and complete the FAFSA.

Step 2: Complete the University College Scholarship Application Form by the application deadline:

New StudentsCurrent/Returning Students
Fall Deadline: August 15Fall Deadline: April 1
Spring Deadline: January 15Spring Deadline: October 31
Summer Deadline: N/ASummer Deadline: N/A

Step 3: Review the specific information relating to each scholarship below and complete any additional items for each scholarship that interests you. Note: some scholarships do not require additional steps.

Only one scholarship application is needed.

Community College Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for new undergraduate students who recently graduated from a community college with a 3.7 GPA. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among St. Louis area community college students who seek to continue their education through University College at Washington University.

Review the Community College Scholarship information sheet.

Completion Scholarship

A need-based scholarship for current or returning undergraduate students who have exhausted all financial aid and have less than 12 credits left to graduate.

Review the Completion Scholarship information sheet.

Dean’s Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for current or returning undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among University College students. 

Review the Dean’s Scholarship information sheet.

Donor-Funded Scholarships

Donor-funded scholarships are made possible through the generous gifts of donors to Washington University. Recipients of these scholarships are chosen from all eligible scholarship candidates. Opportunities include: 

  • The Bright Future Scholarship
  • The Carol J. Epstein University College Scholarship
  • The Marion E. Horstmann Endowed Scholarship in University College
  • The Norma & James Crockett Endowed Scholarship
  • The Philip and Elsa Block Scholarship
  • The Risa Zwerling Wrighton Woman’s Club Endowed Scholarship
  • The Robert Davisson Scholarship
  • The Patricia J. Casserly Scholarship

Graduate Scholarship

A need-based scholarship for new, current, or returning graduate students. The scholarship is intended to provide aid to students who have a financial need so they can meet their educational goals at Washington University.

Review the Graduate Scholarship information sheet.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for new undergraduate students who are Phi Theta Kappa members, have attended a St. Louis area community college for at least one year, and have a 3.5 GPA. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among St. Louis area community college students who seek to continue their education through University College at Washington University.

Review the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship information sheet.

Transfer Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for new undergraduate students who have attended a St. Louis area community college for at least one year and have a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among St. Louis area community college students who seek to continue their education through University College at Washington University.

Review the Transfer Scholarship information sheet.

Undergraduate Scholarship

A need-based scholarship for new, current or returning undergraduate students. The scholarship is intended to provide aid for students who have a financial need so they can meet their educational goals at Washington University. 

Review the Undergraduate Scholarship information sheet.

* The Geographic Information Systems certificate program, Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Teacher certification and Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher certification programs are eligible for financial aid.

Additional Information

Scholarship Application Deadlines & Policies

  • Scholarship applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters only; summer awards are only available to students who have already been awarded a scholarship for the previous fall and/or spring semester. 
  • Students may apply for multiple scholarships, but they can only receive one need- and merit-based award. Once awarded, most scholarships are automatically renewed for up to two subsequent semesters, as long as the student remains eligible. 
  • All current/returning students who wish to continue receiving scholarship funds in the subsequent academic year must reapply by April 1 (Those who receive an award the previous semester are not guaranteed to receive an award the following semester).
New StudentsCurrent/Returning Students
Fall Deadline: August 15Fall Deadline: April 1
Spring Deadline: January 15Spring Deadline: October 31
Summer Deadline: N/ASummer Deadline: N/A


Scholarship Policies for International Students

  • ​International students are eligible to apply for a scholarship after completing one year at University College. 
  • International students may only be considered for the Dean’s Scholarship. 
  • To be considered for the next semester, students will need to re-apply (Those who receive an award the previous semester are not guaranteed to receive an award the following semester).

Eligibility

  • Scholarship recipients must be admitted to a degree or select certificate programs and must be in good standing.*
  • Scholarships are not available for students in the Doctor of Liberal Arts program.
  • Only new students may apply for the Community College, Phi Theta Kappa, and Transfer Scholarships.
  • Only current/returning students may apply for the Dean’s Scholarship.
  • Both new and current/returning students may apply for need-based scholarships. 
  • Washington University employees, spouses, partners and dependents are not eligible for University College scholarships.
  • Scholarship recipients must attain a passing grade in all course work to remain fully eligible for scholarships in a subsequent semester.

Awards

  • University College scholarship awards must be applied to University College courses that are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate program.
  • University College scholarship awards cover tuition only.  Lab fees, late fees, books, and other expenses are not covered.
  • University College scholarship awards combined with a Pell Grant may not exceed tuition. 

* The Geographic Information Systems certificate program, Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Teacher certification and Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher certification programs are eligible for financial aid.