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
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
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 
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
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. 

Haresh & Saroj Patel Family Term Fellowship
The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to a graduate student in the School of Public Health. The intent is to support students with an interest in reproductive health and/or gender affirming care. Recipient will be selected based on academic merit.

• Is there funding specifically for my program?
  We have several funding that are available. Please check to see which one aligns with your program. If you do not see one then connect with your department or program student services staff to inquire about funding/scholarships opportunities that are available for you.
• I am an international/undocumented student. Am I eligible for any of the Dean’s Office awards?
  Yes! We have several awards that are not restricted to your status. As long as you meet the criteria for the award, you should go ahead and apply.
• Why is this award not available?
  We run two award cycles yearly. They are our winter and summer cycle. In the Winter (January or February), awards that are mainly for graduate students are available. In the Summer (July), awards mainly for our undergraduate students are available.
• When can recipients expect to receive their awards?
  Recipients should expect to see their awards in October of the incoming Autumn quarter. If you are a recipient, please make sure your myUW is up to date (current address and/or bank account). Awards are disbursed as stipends. If you have not received your award, please contact Marlena at sphsas@uw.edu.
• What can I do to strengthen my scholarship application?
  There are several things that can help strengthen your application.
  • Read instructions carefully. Read what the application is requesting.
  • Respect the deadline: Provide all materials before deadline.
  • Stick to the point: Essays should address the statement question. Do not stray from what it is asking. Provide details/examples.
  • GPA! Having a strong GPA helps.
• This scholarship is asking for a letter or recommendation. Who should I ask for this?
  It should be people that know you in a professional and academic setting, such as advisors, faculty, supervisors, mentors and so forth. Pay attention to what the application is asking. Most applications will tell you who you should request a letter of recommendation from.
• I can’t remember if I applied. How can I check my status?
  On the page of the application, check “send me an email receipt of my responses” to have a copy of your responses. That should be proof that you applied. If you can’t find that email, then email Marlena at sphsas@uw.edu. Please expect a response in 3 business days.

If you were unable to find the answer to your question, please email Marlena at sphsas@uw.edu. Turnaround for email replies is 3 business days.

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.