Types of Aid

All undergraduate applicants, including transfer students, are automatically considered for merit scholarships, which start at $25,000 per year.

These awards are based on academic performance, and they also consider other aspects of the application, such as extracurricular and community involvement.

Learn More About Merit Scholarships

Incoming students may also apply for competitive scholarships that align with their talents and interests. Awards are available in areas such as:

• Data Science
• Debate
• Environmental Science
• Music
• Public Health
• Studio Art
• STEM
• Theatre 

Additional offerings, like the Schmidt Scholars Program, are based on financial need.

Learn More About Competitive Scholarships

Current Willamette students may be interested in—or eligible for—a variety of other institutional scholarships. These awards often focus on leadership ability, community service, and other characteristics.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond merit and competitive scholarships offered by Willamette University, students of all class years may wish to explore opportunities from corporate foundations, industry/scholarly associations, nonprofit agencies, and other organizations.

There are several databases to start your search, including FastWeb.

Here are some tips to help in the scholarship search process:

• Start Early: Begin your scholarship search in the fall of your senior year to maximize your opportunities.
• Seek Support: Connect with your high school counselor for guidance and resources to help streamline your search.
• Get Involved: Engage in activities and community service that demonstrate leadership and a commitment to helping others—qualities scholarship committees prioritize.
• Research Broadly: Explore national scholarship databases like Fastweb.com, but be aware that no single site covers every opportunity. Keep searching!
• Leverage Local Connections: Check with employers, civic organizations, and clubs that you or your family members are part of—they may have scholarships not advertised nationally.
• Stay Organized: Use a notebook to keep track of each scholarship. Include sections for activity lists, essays, recommendations, and application deadlines.
• Meet Deadlines: Arrange applications by their due dates. Late submissions aren’t considered, so send in your completed materials well in advance.
• Request Recommendations Early: Ask for recommendations early and, if needed, provide stamped, addressed envelopes with deadlines clearly noted.
• Avoid Scams: Never pay or provide credit card information to apply for a scholarship or to access a scholarship search service.
• Keep Applying in College: Continue searching for and applying to scholarships even after enrolling in college.
• Be Persistent: Apply, apply, apply—persistence pays off!
  

Key details about the federal subsidized loan:

• This program offers loans up to $5,500 per year.
• Interest begins accruing after the loan goes into repayment.
• Repayment begins six months after graduation.

Key details about the federal unsubsidized loan: 

• This program offers loans up to $7,500 per year.
• Interest begins accruing after the loan is disbursed.
• Repayment begins six months after graduation.

These loans allow parents with good credit histories to borrow on behalf of their dependent children. Key details about the PLUS loan: 

• This program offers loans up to the cost of the education.
• Interest begins accruing after the loan goes into repayment.
• Repayment generally begins two months after the loan is disbursed.  

These loans are offered to students with exceptional financial need. Key details about the Perkins loan: 

• This program offers loans up to $3,000 per year.
• Interest begins accruing and repayment begins nine months after graduation (or after enrollment changes to less than half time).