Use Your Resources
In times of plenty or hardship, it is important to pay attention to the resources that help us move forward with strength and purpose, like money, health, time, and study skills.
Financial Aid
Student Financial Services Washington University realizes that the future can be uncertain. Even if you have not applied for financial assistance in prior years, we are committed to ensuring that financial hardships in the future do not jeopardize your educational opportunity. For assistance with funding your Washington University education, whether renewing your award or applying for the first time, contact the Student Financial Services Office, information available at http://sfsweb.wustl.edu/.
WashU Grants and Summer Stipends
See sites for details on eligibility, awards, and deadlines.
• The Gephardt Institute Civic Engagement Fund is for students or student groups engaging in service initiatives locally, domestically or internationally. There are four deadlines a year: Oct. 9, Dec. 6, Feb. 5, Apr. 9. For more information, see www.gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu.
• The Goldman Fellows Program is for rising sophomore, junior or senior students who undertake unpaid summer internships at nonprofit organizations or community agencies in the St. Louis region. Internships should be full-time and oriented toward issues of social justice, political action, or community development. Deadline in April. See www.gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu for more information.
• Social Change Grants provide funding for students pursuing innovative ideas serving the common good in the spirit of social entrepreneurship. Deadline in February. See http://www.communityservice.wustl.edu/grants.
• Stipends through the Career Center are available for eligible sophomores. These stipends help to defray costs related to securing internships and exploring careers. See http://www.careers.wustl.edu/stipends/ for details.
Florence Moog Scholarship
The Florence Moog Scholarship is awarded each spring to an outstanding sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences who is preparing for a career in science, but also achieving excellence in at least one area distinct from science, such as the humanities, arts, entrepreneurialism, student life, or community service. It is awarded solely on the basis of merit and provides half-tuition during the junior and senior years. Eligible students include those who have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and have pursued science at WashU. Eligible students are contacted to apply in early February.
National Scholarships and Fellowships
Washington University students are also eligible for certain selective national scholarships and fellowships. Sophomore year is the ideal time to start planning for one or several of these competitive scholarships. See http://college.artsci.wustl.edu/current-students. While some of the national opportunities described are for students more advanced in their studies (junior, seniors, graduates), there are programs open to sophomores, including the following:
• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship; deadline early December 2009
• Morris K. Udall Scholarship; deadline early February 2010
Please note that both of these scholarships are highly competitive and have internal WashU nomination processes. See http://college.artsci.wustl.edu/national-scholarships-fellowships or contact Dean Joy Kiefer (jkiefer[at]artsci.wustl.edu) for time lines and requirements.
"Arts & Sciences offered a huge variety of options to someone undecided about a major"
