To develop the most diverse pool of scholars and leaders of tomorrow, Washington University is committed to creating possibilities for budding researchers, leaders and innovators through scholarships, internships and fellowships.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Signature Scholar Programs

The university’s signature merit-based scholars programs, housed within the Office of Scholars Programs (OSP), create unique academic and cultural communities in which to share, learn, challenge, make friends, and exchange views and ideas. 

Danforth Scholars Program

The Danforth Scholars Program honors students with a passion for helping others. Danforth Scholars are also known for their leadership in service, intellectual and creative acuity, a commitment to diversity and kindness. Named in honor of William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth, the chancellor and first lady of Washington University from 1971 to 1995, this program pays tribute to this couple’s exemplary leadership and service.

John B. Ervin Scholars Program

Started in 1986, the John B. Ervin Scholars Program honors the memory of a nationally renowned educator and community leader who believed in giving students a first-rate education. Ervin Scholars are selected based on academic excellence, leadership, service and commitment to bringing diverse peoples together.

Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program

The Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program is a nationally pre-eminent program based on the pillars of academic excellence, Leadership, Service to the Community, and bringing Diverse cultures together. The Rodriguez Scholars are a supportive network of young leaders focusing on positive change in their communities and the world.

Other Undergraduate Programs

Enterprise Holdings Scholars Program

Each year the Enterprise Holdings Scholars Program makes it possible for approximately 60 to 80 talented students to have an exceptional educational experience at Washington University. Approximately 10 percent of the Enterprise Holdings scholarships each year are reserved for high school graduates and community college transfer students from the St. Louis area.

Kessler Scholars Program

WashU has launched a Kessler Scholars Program to enroll and support up to 20 first-generation college and limited-income students each year who want to improve society using their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship funds undergraduate research in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis on projects pertaining to identity, social justice and diversity. The program encourages talented students to develop their academic interests, obtain PhDs, and pursue careers in higher education.

Neilsen Scholarship Program

The Neilsen Scholarship Program supports opportunities for students with spinal cord injury pursue higher education and lead full lives in and out of the classroom. 

Career Center Stipends

Undergraduate students interested in exploring career options in the public, private and non-profit sectors are encouraged to pursue a summer internship. To help offset the costs of summer internships, the Career Center provides a limited number of stipends to qualified students.

Summer Engineering Fellowship Program (WUSEF)

The Washington University Summer Engineering Fellowship (WUSEF) program is designed to encourage exceptional students from backgrounds underrepresented in the STEM fields, including underrepresented minority students, students from economically disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds and students with disabilities, to participate in engineering research.

School-based Scholarship Programs

Each undergraduate division at Washington University provides a number of four-year scholarships that range up to the full cost of tuition.

Graduate and Professional Student Programs

Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship Program

The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is an elite cohort of outstanding graduate students with diverse backgrounds and from varied disciplines. The OCF is committed to promoting diversity in all dimensions including cultural, socioeconomic, gender, racial, ethnic, geographical, philosophical/religious, and other distinctive backgrounds and perspectives.

Buder Center Scholars Program

The Buder Center Scholars Program is a premier graduate degree program in social work committed to the education of American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous students here at the Brown School.

School of Law Support

Through the generous support of our WashULaw alumni and friends, we are able to offer many named and anonymous scholarship awards based on excellent academic credentials, evidence of strong leadership skills, a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as other interests and goals.

McKelvey School of Engineering Support

The McKelvey School of Engineering & Applied Science is dedicated to fully covering our graduate students’ needs, with PhD students receiving a stipend and full tuition coverage for up to six years as long as academic progress is being made.

Olin Business School MBA Dean’s Scholarships

All candidates admitted to Olin are automatically considered for our merit-based Dean’s Scholarships—there is no separate scholarship application.

Staff Programs

Contract Employee Scholarship Program

The Contract Employee Scholarship Program supports basic services contract employees who work full time on its campuses to take classes at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, Washington University’s evening, professional and continuing education division. The goal of the program is to help employees earn a degree, a certificate or simply explore their interests in a stimulating academic setting.