Competitive Scholarships are awarded to students during the fall entry admission cycle based on interests, skills, or background. Requiring a separate application, which is reviewed by program faculty, competitive scholarships are added on top of merit scholarships awarded at the time of admission.
You’re encouraged to apply for all scholarships that match your interest and talents, but you’ll only receive the one that best matches your strengths. Check out each scholarship, including the application, participation and renewal requirements and apply by the priority deadlines.
Scholarship applications are available within the applicant portal after your application for admission is received.
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:
Finalists will be invited to interview with the 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:
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.
The application requires:
Finalists will be invited to interview with department faculty.
Scholarships are awarded up to $11,500 annually.
Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. The declaration of a major in public health is encouraged, but is not required.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
Unlike our other competitive scholarships, these awards do not require a separate application. Recipients are selected automatically based on the strength of the admission application and experience as it relates to the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
The Fairweather Fellows Scholarship and Experience Program provides incoming first-year students with scholarships and academic support activities to succeed as future computing and data science scholars and leaders.
No separate application is required. To be considered, you must:
Scholarships are awarded up to $10,000 annually.
An interest in computer science or data science is encouraged, but the declaration of a major in computer science or data science is not required. Renewal requires annual submission of the FAFSA and continued demonstrated need.
Ronald and Lila Schmidt (Class of 1966) established the Schmidt Scholars Program to help high-performing applicants attend Willamette University by removing financial barriers.
No separate application is required. To be considered, you must:
Preference is given to students with a minimum cumulative 3.75 high school GPA.
Scholarships are awarded up to $7,500 annually.
Renewal requires annual submission of the FAFSA and continued demonstrated need.
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