CAPS Scholarships

Tuition & financial AiD ≫

Students who are enrolled in degree and select certificate programs may be eligible for both merit and need-based CAPS scholarships. Scholarship awards cover tuition only. Note: Washington University employees and their spouses/partners or dependents are not eligible for CAPS scholarships.

Jump to: Scholarship Policies | Application Deadlines

Applying for a CAPS Scholarship

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

Step 2: Complete the CAPS Scholarship Application Form by the application deadline:

New StudentsCurrent/Returning Students
Fall Deadline: August 15Fall Deadline: May 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.

CAPS Scholarships

Community College Scholarship (PDF)
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 the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) at Washington University.

Completion Scholarship (PDF)
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.

Dean’s Scholarship (PDF)
A merit-based scholarship for current or returning undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among CAPS students. 

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 CAPS Scholarship
  • The Marion E. Horstmann Endowed Scholarship in CAPS
  • 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 (PDF)
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.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (PDF)
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 CAPS at Washington University.

Transfer Scholarship (PDF)
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 CAPS at Washington University.

Undergraduate Scholarship (PDF)
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. 

Other scholarship opportunities

It can be difficult at times to find scholarships when there is so much on the schedule. Students can create accounts and can filter through scholarship applications based upon numerous factors and criteria. This website helps to eliminate some of the burden of searching.

Learn more >>

Scholarship 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 May 1 (Those who receive an award the previous semester are not guaranteed to receive an award the following semester).

International Students

  • ​International students are eligible to apply for a scholarship after completing one year at CAPS. 
  • 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 CAPS scholarships.
  • Scholarship recipients must attain a passing grade in all course work to remain fully eligible for scholarships in a subsequent semester.

Awards

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

Application Deadlines

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

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