Student Scholarships and Funding

Overview of the School of Public Health Office of the Dean’s scholarship and funding process

The University of Washington School of Public Health makes every effort to connect prospective applicants to funding opportunities both before and upon admission. However, due to the high volume of requests and the limited number of awards available, we cannot guarantee that you will be matched with a Dean’s Office award.

Funding Available from the UW School of Public Health

Applications that are now open

 

Grayston Day Fellowship (Departmental Nomination Only)

The School of Public Health is committed to increasing the number of health professionals from diverse communities by funding the education of underrepresented students in the public health field. Funds from this award can be used to support financial need, academic merit, and potential contribution to the field of public health.  

 

Jack and Gayle Thompson Endowment

The fund supports graduate students pursuing their Master’s degree in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington. The fund supports the students with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion or those from under-served backgrounds. Considering academic achievement, professional promise, and financial need, the fund prioritizes support of students from diverse backgrounds and those who have overcome economic and educational disadvantages and/or personal adversity to pursue higher education.

Remak Scholarship

The School of Public Health is committed to increasing the number of health professionals from diverse communities by funding the education of underrepresented students in the public health field. Funds from this award can be used to support financial need, academic merit, and potential contribution to the field of public health.  

School of Public Health Endowed Fellowship

The School of Public Health is able to provide support to one (1) PhD student and one (1) Masters student currently enrolled in the School of Public Health and in their graduate program at the time of award disbursement (Autumn 2024). Funds can be used to support tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses.

School of Public Health Office of Dean Master’s Fellowship

The Office of the Dean will annually be making up to six Master's Fellowship Awards available to master's level students newly entering the School of Public Health. The intent of these awards is to help School master's-level programs attract and retain students with diverse experiences and perspectives.

In order to apply, interested applicants should complete a 300-word essay on: being the first in their family to pursue advanced schooling; overcoming personal or educational obstacles to pursue a master’s degree; personal experience with, and connection to, diverse cultures; and demonstrating commitment to promoting diversity within Public Health.

 

The Office of the Dean recommends that applicants interested in funding their time at the University of Washington should follow the below steps:

  1. In your application for admission OR to a departmental adviser in your anticipated program, you can indicate that you would like to be considered for department or program-specific funding. You can reach out to the program adviser directly to indicate interest for department-specific funding that is not housed via the Dean’s Office. 
  2. After inquiring with your department, check back here for any Dean’s Office awards. This webpage is updated every Friday with any new information on available awards.
  3. Student Employment Opportunities are another way students can work to defray cost of fees. These employment placements can range from Research Assistantships to Teaching Assistantships and Academic Student Employment (ASE) positions (also referred to as graduate assistantships). Review a listing here: UW SPH: Employment For Current Students and also check with your department for any current email lists you can be added to
  4. After checking any Dean’s Office awards, you can view a comprehensive list of scholarships, fellowships, and other awards that are both located at UW and are external here: Funding Your Education
  5. The Office of Student Financial Aid serves all of the Seattle campus, and they are a great resource for new applicants. If you have questions about: fee waivers, stacking scholarships/loans, or if you’re wanting to inquire what further options you have, they are a great partner to have! Their website is here: UW Office of Student Financial Aid
  6. Have patience. The UW School of Public Health relies heavily on RA/TA/ASE positions to help defray cost of funding. These positions are not normally advertised until later spring/summer. It requires diligence, patience, and communication with your departmental student services staff (i.e. advisers, program managers, etc.). Faculty can also be a resource! 
  7. If you are still seeking funding opportunities, or if you are confused on where to start, feel free to reach out to School of Public Health Student and Academic Services (sphsas@uw.edu).

Double Eagle II Endowed Scholarship
$1,000-5,000
This is a need-based funding opportunity for University of Washington School of Public Health undergraduate students. The intent of the award is to support students who are studying public health and committed to ensuring healthier communities in our region and abroad. Funding can be used to help cover expenses for tuition, travel, books, fees, and other educational needs.  

 

Undergraduate Student Assistance Fund
$1,000 - $5,000
The fund supports the School’s commitment to developing a more diverse and culturally competent student body and workforce in order to better serve communities in our region and beyond. Considering academic achievement, professional promise, and financial need, the fund prioritizes support of students from diverse backgrounds and those who have overcome economic and educational disadvantages and/or personal adversity to pursue higher education. 

 

Rattlinggourd Scholarship 
$1,000 
The intent of this award is to foster public health advances in Native American & Alaska Native communities by providing support to students in the School of Public Health. 

 

Remak Scholarship
$1,000
The purpose of the Walter A. Remak Scholarship is to benefit undergraduate and/or graduate students in the School of Public Health who plan to pursue public health work in South Africa, regardless of the student’s country of origin.  The funds can be applied toward a variety of expenses, including but not limited to: tuition, travel, research-related expenses, practicum/internship-related expenses, housing, food, textbooks and lab fees.  The expenses must be related, implicitly or explicitly, to the student’s work in South Africa. 

School of Public Health Office of the Dean Master's Fellowships
$10,000 - $20,000

The Office of the Dean will annually be making up to six Master's Fellowship Awards available to master's level students newly entering the School of Public Health. The intent of these awards is to help School master's-level programs attract and retain students with diverse experiences and perspectives.

In order to apply, interested applicants should complete a 300-word essay on: being the first in their family to pursue advanced schooling; overcoming personal or educational obstacles to pursue a master’s degree; personal experience with, and connection to, diverse cultures; and demonstrating commitment to promoting diversity within Public Health.

 

Jack And Gayle Thompson Endowment
$4,000

The fund supports graduate students pursuing their Master’s degree in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington. The fund supports the students with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion or those from under-served backgrounds. Considering academic achievement, professional promise, and financial need, the fund prioritizes support of students from diverse backgrounds and those who have overcome economic and educational disadvantages and/or personal adversity to pursue higher education. 

 

Grayston Day Fellowship (Departmental Nomination Only) 
$5,000-$8,000 
The School of Public Health is committed to increasing the number of health professionals from diverse communities by funding the education of underrepresented students in the public health field. Funds from this award can be used to support financial need, academic merit, and potential contribution to the field of public health.  

 

Magnuson Scholars Fellowship (Departmental Nomination Only)
$32,000
Each of the six University of Washington Health Sciences Schools is invited to nominate a student for selection as a Magnuson Scholar. Magnuson Scholars are selected annually from applicants nominated by each of the six University of Washington Health Sciences Schools: Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work. Preference for candidates who are preparing for or engaged in research related to diabetes, its antecedents, or complications. 

 

Patrick-Beresford Fellowship in Social Epidemiology
$2,000
The UW School of Public Health is pleased to announce the availability of the Patrick-Beresford Fellowship in Social Epidemiology. The intent of this award is to support graduate students from any department in the School of Public Health who are engaged in the study of social epidemiology. 

 

Remak Scholarship
$1,000
The purpose of the Walter A. Remak Scholarship is to benefit undergraduate and/or graduate students in the School of Public Health who plan to pursue public health work in South Africa, regardless of the student's country of origin. The funds can be applied toward a variety of expenses, including but not limited to: tuition, travel, research-related expenses, practicum/internship-related expenses, housing, food, textbooks and lab fees. The expenses must be related, implicitly or explicitly, to the student's work in South Africa. 

 

School of Public Health Endowed Fellowship
$2,000 - $5,000
The School of Public Health is able to provide support to one PhD student and one Masters student currently enrolled in the School of Public Health who has completed at least one full academic year (3 quarters) in their graduate program at the time of award disbursement (Autumn 2020). Funds can be used to support tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses. 

 

James A. McDermott, M.D. Global Health Endowed Fellowship
$2,000 - $4,000
The purpose of the James A. McDermott, M.D. Global Health Endowed Fellowship benefit graduate students in the School of Public Health with a demonstrated commitment to addressing international public health issues in areas of the world outside of the United States. The funds can be applied toward a variety of expenses, including but not limited to: tuition, travel, research-related expenses, practicum/internship-related expenses, housing, food, textbooks, and lab fees. The expenses must be related, implicitly or explicitly, to the student's work outside of the United States. 

  • I was just admitted to the UW School of Public Health! I’m really excited but not sure how to pay for it. What should I do?
    -Congratulations on being accepted to UW! The first thing you should do is reach out to the department or program in which you were accepted and inquire if there are any funding or scholarship opportunities available there for you. These are overseen by departmental staff and not the Dean’s Office. If you still need additional support, email Jalen in the Dean’s Office to review your options.

  • I’m an international student. Am I eligible for any of the Dean’s Office awards?
    -Absolutely! Being an international student does not bar you from applying to any of the awards, so long as you meet the award criteria you will be considered.

  • I’m an undergraduate student currently, but I am applying for an MPH for the next academic year after I graduate. Can I still apply for one of the graduate awards?
    -Yes. You will complete the application as normal and your transcripts will be sent when they are available. As long as you meet the award criteria, you are welcome to apply.

  • How many applications for scholarships do you receive?
    -It depends! The awards that are most popular are our Office of the Dean’s Masters Fellowship for incoming master’s students. The award is given over a two-year period and primarily seeks to advance the School’s mission of assisting diverse professionals excel in education. Other awards that have a very specific focus, such as our Beresford Fellowship in Social Epidemiology may not see as many applicants.

  • What can I do to strengthen my scholarship application?
    -Check back here for more information on specifics, such as writing a strong essay, organizing your CV/resume, etc. Awards will open on December 14, 2020.

  • What does “Departmental Nomination Only” mean?
    -Awards that are notated with “departmental nomination only” mean that, typically, students cannot apply directly to these awards. Students are nominated by their departments, internally, by faculty and staff of the student’s respective program. HOWEVER, there are awards where you can apply directly AND there are nominations that occur in the departments, such as with the Master’s Fellowship. If you have any questions on if you’re eligible for an award, email Jalen!

You may be wondering what you can do to help yourself write the best scholarship essay, or the strongest materials to be competitive for our Dean’s Office Awards. Below are some reminders as you begin to apply:

  • Carefully read the essay prompt. Depending on what the prompt or the question that is being asked, you may have to answer specific questions or you must follow a specific outline of what is being asked. It is important that you read all of what is included in the prompt and respond accordingly. Weaker application scores usually result from information not answered through the written essay prompts.
  • Carefully read all required materials. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it is crucial that you have included all required/requested materials. Example scenario: the application asks for a letter from the Office of Student Financial Aid stating the student’s current financial needs. However, when reviewing application materials, the committee realizes the applicant(s) did not include this letter and therefore their application will not be considered. You will be prompted on the Google Form to submit all required materials as a reminder.
  • A strong essay demonstrates: self-reflection, clarity of purpose, and a holistic perspective of the applicant. Self-reflection means that the applicant has taken steps to review or challenge their own behaviors, actions, or beliefs. There is a demonstrated pattern of challenging and educating themselves. Clarity of purpose can be described as an overall comprehensive sense (or “theme”) of what is being discussed. Example scenario: you would like to discuss a personal story that relates to your passion of studying public health. This can be your purpose, and the clarity is brought about by supporting points (medication prices, doctor visits, etc.). It is important to keep the reason for writing your essay in the front of your mind. Finally, a holistic perspective of the applicant means just that – the applicant discusses more than what is written on their resume; they discuss passions, endeavors, and wishes that lay outside the classroom or workplace. You can begin brainstorming this by asking yourself the question: Who am I to a stranger?
  • Reach out to letter of recommendation writers at least one month before the due date. If not sooner! If you know that an award is due on March 1, 2021, it would be inappropriate to ask for a recommendation letter the day before (unless there are circumstances leading to this—life happens!). If that is the case, please be in contact with Jalen ASAP so we know to wait on a letter.
  • Ask for help if anything remains unclear. If you are still having trouble completing your application, or if you are struggling with accessing the Google Form, please email Jalen ASAP! As we all know, life happens, and UW School of Public Health remains committed to working with you, being flexible, and connecting you with the resources you need.

For more information, please contact student and academic services at sphsas@uw.edu.

updated: Feb 2024