STUDENTS: Financial Aid for Returning Students

This page provides information about loans, scholarships, new scholarships for BA students moving to the second year of full-time study in the Early Career MBA program in 2008-09, renewal of scholarships, and links to Internet scholarship databases.

EDUCATIONAL LOANS
Loans are also the most common source of financial assistance for MBA students around the world. Educational loans provide students the opportunity to cover their educational, living and personal expenses while completing their MBA. Loans make it possible for students to invest in a future of expanded career opportunities and increased earning power

• Federal Stafford Loans: The Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program includes two programs; the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. Eligible students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year through the Stafford programs. Eligibility for the Stafford Loan programs for 2008-09 is determined by submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is available on line. Students should contact Katy Wilson in the Willamette University Financial Aid Office for more information.
  
  
• Federal Graduate PLUS Loan: The Graduate PLUS Loan allows eligible US citizens and permanent residents to borrow up to the full cost of attendance (estimated budget of educational, living and personal expenses minus other financial assistance). Application requires submission of the FAFSA. In addition, students must have met their annual maximum of $20,500 in Stafford Loans before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS loan. Contact Katy Wilson in the Willamette University Financial Aid Office for more information
  
  
• Private Credit-Based Loans: International students may be eligible to borrow funds through private credit-based educational loan programs if they have a co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident. Contact Katy Wilson at the Willamette University Financial Aid Office for more information.
  

SCHOLARSHIPS
Atkinson School Scholarships and named scholarships are competitive and merit based. Most scholarships are awarded upon admission to the Early Career MBA program and are renewable for MBA students who meet all renewal requirements.

BA/MBA students moving to the second year of the Early Career MBA program will be reviewed for scholarship assistance after completion of the first year of MBA study.

MBA/JD students who receive scholarship assistance from the MBA program receive the scholarship only for the first academic year in which they are enrolled full-time in the MBA program. Atkinson scholarships awarded to MBA/JD students are not renewable.

RENEWAL OF 2007-08 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2008-09
Atkinson School scholarships and named scholarships awarded to incoming students are renewable at the same dollar amount for the second year of full-time MBA study based on the policies listed below. These policies were also stated in the email and letter which announced the scholarship award and the Atkinson Student Handbook.

• maintains a minimum Atkinson School cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+); and
• maintains fulltime enrollment in the Atkinson School and completes a minimum of 12 Atkinson School credits per semester*; and
• maintains good standing within the academic policies and expectations of conduct of the Atkinson School and Willamette University.

Students will be notified of their scholarship renewal status by email from Judy O'Neill in June. As with all scholarships, fifty percent of the scholarship award for the academic year is dispersed for fall semester and 50% is dispersed for spring semester. Scholarship awards are not available for summer semester.

MBA/JD students who receive scholarship assistance from the MBA program receive the scholarship only for the first academic year in which they are enrolled full-time in the MBA program. Atkinson scholarships awarded to MBA/JD students are not renewable.

[*Note: an exception to the 12 credit minimum may be requested by a full-time MBA student for the fourth semester of the program, if that scholarship student has completed the first three semesters as a full-time MBA student and has a minimum of nine (9) credits remaining to complete graduation requirements. Scholarship students requesting an exception must provide Judy O'Neill, Director of Admission, with a written request for the exception before the beginning of their fourth semester of study.]


NEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2ND YEAR STUDENTS
Scholarship awards have been processed for the 2008-09 academic year. Information about new scholarships for Early Career MBA students moving to the 2nd year of the program for 2009-2010 will be posted in January of 2009.

Several competitive merit-based scholarships were available for MBA students moving to the second year of study for 2008-09. These scholarships are described below. Applications are available on line via data drop and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2008.

• Gardner Knapp Scholarship Application - Recognizing the Characteristics of an Entrepreneur
  The Gardner Knapp Scholarship is an endowed scholarship of Willamette University awarded to full-time Willamette Early Career MBA students who exemplify the entrepreneurial characteristics of self-initiative, ambition, the willingness to take risks and high ethical standards and values. The dollar award of the scholarship may vary from $3,000 to $1,000 depending on the number of recipients. Decisions regarding the dollar award of the scholarship will be made by the selection committee. Application required - competitive selection. Application must be completed and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23rd.
  
  
• Governor Robert Straub Public Service Scholarship Application - Recognizing Dedication to Public Service
  The Governor Robert W. Straub Public Service Scholarship is an endowed scholarship of Willamette University and is awarded to a full-time or part-time Willamette Early Career MBA student who is dedicated to public service. The amount of the scholarship is approximately $1,500 if awarded to one student. Awards may vary depending on the number of recipients. Application required - competitive selection. Application must be completed and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 23, 2008.
  
  
• RAISE Scholarship Application - Recognizing Academics, Initiative and Service Excellence
  This new Atkinson School scholarship raises the renewed scholarship award for up to 10 recipients by $1,000 for 2008-09. Applicants for the RAISE scholarship must be eligible for renewal of their first year scholarship, achieved a first year MBA G.P.A. of 3.3 or higher, actively participated and contributed to their PACE team, demonstrated leadership in professional/student organizations, and showed initiative in the internship search and career services program. Application and interview required - competitive selection. Application must be completed and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 23, 2008.
  
  
• LEAP Scholarship Application - Recognizing Leadership, Excellence and Professionalism
  This new Atkinson School scholarship provides a scholarship of $2,500 to up to three students who did not receive scholarship assistance through the Atkinson School for the first year of study, or whose scholarship is not renewable for the second year of study. Applicants for the LEAP scholarship must have achieved a cumulative first year MBA G.P.A. Of 3.0 or higher, actively participated and contributed to their PACE team, demonstrated leadership in professional/student organizations, and showed initiative in the internship search and career services program. Application and interview required - competitive selection. Application must be completed and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 23, 2008
  
  
• Achievement Scholarship Application
  Atkinson School scholarship provides a scholarship of $13,500 for up to one MBA student who demonstrated outstanding performance in academics and service to the Atkinson School during their first year of study. The MBA Achievement Scholarship is intended for MBA students who did not receive scholarship assistance through the Atkinson School or another organization for the first year of study, and who achieved a first year cumulative MBA G.P.A. Of 3.5 or higher. Application and interview required - competitive selection. Application must be completed and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 23, 2008.

SCHOLARSHIP DATABASES ON THE INTERNET
The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid provides access several free scholarship search databases including FastWEB - the Internet's largest scholarship search database.

Essential information for international students is available at Education USA, EduPass and International Education Financial Aid.

Students from Oregon may be interested in the website of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.