Competitive Scholarships

The Willamette University Debate Union is the oldest debate program in the Western United States and serves as an extracurricular activity for students across the academic spectrum.

The application requires:

• A resume highlighting past experiences;
• A short written response to a prompt; and,
• A reference letter form, or contact information for a current debate coach.

Scholarships are awarded up to $4,000 annually.

Recipients are required to enroll in the Collegiate Debate course each semester. Recipients must also participate in the Willamette University Debate Union and at a competition at least once each semester.

The Dempsey Scholars program values academically accomplished students looking to get a jump start on their career in environmental studies. Excellent applicants have a clear passion for environmental science and a commitment to civic engagement.

The application requires:

• A short written response to a prompt.

Scholarships are awarded up to $4,000 annually.

Renewal requires an annual application. To be prioritized for renewal, recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and declare a major in environmental science. Participation in department activities, such as assisting faculty and facilitating co-curricular programs, is expected, but not required.

This scholarship, made possible due to a $6 million endowed gift from FamilyCare Health and the Heatherington Foundation, is for students who have an interest in learning how to improve lives and build healthy communities through Public Health. Participants will collaborate with one another, with faculty, and with the FamilyCare Pre-Health Director to dive deep into important issues such as disease prevention, access to care and environmental health.

Recipients of the Heatherington Scholarship have a record of commitment to public health equity through a combination of involvement in extracurricular school-based activities, community service and employment and will demonstrate financial need through submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The application requires:

• A short written response to three separate prompts.
• Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need.

Finalists will be invited to interview with department faculty.

Scholarships are awarded up to $11,500 annually.

The declaration of a major in public health is encouraged, but is not required. Renewal requires annual submission of the FAFSA and continued demonstration of financial need.

Willamette's music ensembles and programs seek talented students to participate at all levels. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate ability and achievement in composition, vocal, band, or orchestra performance and plan to participate in music ensembles, major or minor in music.

The application requires:

• A video audition.
  • Classical musicians (instrumental/vocal) must include two to three pieces that offer contrasting styles and tempos and which demonstrate your ability to perform both rapid and lyrical passages. Auditions should be from a solo performance. Instrumentalists may include etudes and studies; vocalists must sing at least one piece in a foreign language.
  • Jazz musicians must include two to three pieces showing a variety of styles and tempos from written material and with improvisation. A rhythm section, live or prerecorded, should be included.
  • Composers must audition on an instrument/voice and submit a portfolio of compositions.
• Contact information for an ensemble director, private lesson instructor, or both, is requested, if possible.

Scholarships are awarded up to $10,000 annually.

Renewal is based on an annual evaluation by the faculty. Recipients must join at least one of Willamette’s music ensembles, enroll and complete a music scholarship class during their first year, and take private lessons through the music department.

With robust experiential, research and internship opportunities, the STEM fields are among the most popular at Willamette. For low-income students who show passion and academic promise, the STEM Fellows Program provides financial support, additional peer and faculty mentorship, funded research opportunities, academic support, and more. The STEM Fellows Program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. This scholarship is only available for first-year applicants.

The application requires:

• A short written response to a prompt,
• Contact information for a science or math teacher who will be able to speak to your preparation and fit for the program; and,
• Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualify as low income.

Scholarships are awarded up to $10,000 annually.

Recipients must pursue a major in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Exercise and Health Science, Mathematics, or Physics. Renewal requires annual submission of the FAFSA and continued qualification as low income.

Willamette’s Studio Art Department offers students with a serious commitment to studio art and the artistic community courses across traditional mediums and experimental practices.

The application requires:

• A digital portfolio of 5-10 work samples, which can include works-in-progress and up to 1-2 video excerpts, of no more than one minute each. All types of artwork are acceptable.
• A short written response to a prompt is also required.

Scholarships are awarded up to $4,000 annually.

Recipients are required to declare a major or minor in studio art, participate in Studio Art Department events for either six hours each semester, or 12 hours each academic year. This includes installation projects before major art shows, gallery and studio maintenance, and assisting faculty. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in studio art courses.

Willamette’s Theatre Department performs a variety of plays, musicals, and dance concerts every year, and seeks passionate, dedicated students, who will pursue a major in theatre, to participate in every element of theatrical production.

The application requires:

• A showcase of your prior experience.
  
  • For performers, a digital audition that consists of a Shakespearean monologue 20-30 lines in length, a one-minute contemporary monologue, and an optional two-minute song.
  • For design/technical students, a portfolio of your work which you will have fifteen minutes to present to the faculty during an interview.
• All applicants must also submit a short written response to a prompt.
• Contact information for your most recent drama teacher or director.
• A headshot; and,
• Your current theatre resume.

Finalists will be invited to interview with department faculty.

Scholarships are awarded up to $12,000 annually.

Renewal is based on an annual evaluation by the faculty. Scholarship recipients are required to declare a major in theatre and are expected to fully participate in every production in a given year, including, but not limited to the production itself, as well as department meetings and strikes, rehearsal and crew commitments. Recipients will work three hours a week and enroll in Acting I and Voice for the Stage in their first year, and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.