CAPS Scholarships

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: 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.

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. 

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 April 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: April 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.