Specialty Scholarships

The Lawson Family Scholarship was established to recognize an entering first-year student from the Chicago, IL area demonstrating an interest in African American culture, history, or studies.

This full-tuition award is need-based and renewable for four years of full-time study at W&L. Any eligible student applying to W&L will be considered automatically.

The Darnall W. Boyd Jr. Memorial Honor Scholarship was established for entering first-year students from South Carolina, with a preference for students from the Columbia area.

Recognizing students with exemplary academic and extracurricular records, this award covers full tuition, room and board and is renewable for four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average.

Finalists for the Boyd Scholarship will be notified in late January and will participate in a personal interview in March, conducted by Columbia area alumni.

The Houston Honor Scholarship recognizes students from the Houston, Texas area with superior achievement in academics, extracurricular activities, and community service.

Supported by W&L alumni from the Houston area, this full-tuition scholarship is renewable for four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average while enrolled at W&L.

Finalists for the Houston Honor Scholarship will be notified in late January and will participate in a personal interview in March, conducted by Houston area alumni.

The Keelty Honor Scholarship, endowed in 1981 by Joseph S. Keelty '44, recognizes students from Maryland with superior character and notable achievement in the areas of academics, extracurricular activities, and service to others.

Preference will be given to students from the Baltimore area who would be financially unable to attend Washington and Lee without such assistance. This full-tuition award is renewable for four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average while enrolled at W&L.

Finalists for the Keelty Scholarship will be notified in late January and will participate in a personal interview in March, conducted by Baltimore area alumni.

The J. Edward Lewis Scholarship Trust provides financial assistance to Washington and Lee students who are deserving graduates of West Virginia's Oak Hill High School, secondarily to graduates from any high school in Fayette County, West Virginia, and lastly to any deserving graduates from any high school in the state of West Virginia.

Requirements:

• Must be a resident of West Virginia and have graduated from a West Virginia high school. 
• Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to renew the award annually.
• Must maintain full-time student status with Washington and Lee University to renew annually.

The J. Edward Lewis Scholarship Trust is administered by JP Morgan. To request an application or for further information, contact Cory Whitlock at JP Morgan.

The Albemarle Corporation Honor Scholarship (formerly the Ethyl Corporation Honor Scholarship) was created in 1986 by a gift from the Ethyl Corporation to recognize an entering student with an interest in chemistry, engineering or business related to the petrochemical or chemical industry. This full-tuition scholarship is awarded to recognize superior achievement in academics, extracurricular activities and community service and is renewable for four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average. Students who are named Johnson Scholarship finalists and indicated their intention to major in chemistry or engineering are eligible for this award.

The Gail S. and Joel H. Bernstein Scholarship was established to recognize an entering first-year student demonstrating active interest in Native American culture, history, or studies. Students from the American Southwest will also be considered. This full-tuition award is need-based and renewable for four years of full-time study at W&L. Any eligible student applying to W&L will be considered automatically.

The Edward R. Mitchell Memorial Honor Scholarship was established in 1999 by an estate gift from Grace McPhail Mitchell to recognize an entering first-year student with an exemplary academic and extracurricular record, coupled with an interest in engineering. This full tuition award is renewable for four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average. Students who are named Johnson Scholarship finalists and indicated their intention to major in engineering are eligible for this award. Preference will be given to students who would be financially unable to attend Washington and Lee without such assistance.

National Merit Scholarships are available to students enrolling at W&L who are named Finalists in the National Merit Program and who list W&L as their first choice school. They receive either a Corporate award or an institutional award from W&L. The amount of the Corporate award varies based upon the sponsoring corporation. The amount of the institutional award is as follows:

• For a student who is already receiving a merit-based award from Washington and Lee, the National Merit Award is $750.
• For a student who is not receiving merit-based aid from Washington and Lee, the National Merit Award is $750. In addition, these students will receive a $3000 Gaines Scholarship which will be renewed each year and which will not increase or decrease in value, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average.

The Max and Sylvia Weinstein Scholarship was established to recognize an entering first-year student with an exemplary academic and extracurricular record. It is a unique opportunity for students of the Jewish faith who hope to become involved in Washington and Lee's vibrant Jewish community. The scholarship is for full tuition and is renewable for four years of work at Washington and Lee, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average.

To be considered for the Weinstein Scholarship - or any merit-based awards at W&L - students must apply for the Johnson Scholarship Program. Because we do not always know students' religious background or their interest in joining a religious community in college, we ask those who wish to be considered for the Weinstein Scholarship to submit a brief statement of interest with their Johnson Scholarship application.

The Army Department at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has a partnership agreement with Washington and Lee University for students interested in participating in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).

W&L students participating in ROTC will attend military science classes at VMI once a week for classroom and lab instruction. Students receive college credit and these courses are free of charge. Those desiring to pursue a commission and who meet all eligibility criteria can enter the United States Army as a commissioned officer immediately upon graduation.

Two, three, and four year ROTC scholarships may be available. Currently, scholarships cover tuition and books plus a significant stipend. New G.I. Bill benefits are also available to Army veterans.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information or assistance if you are interested in ROTC at W&L.

The Bonner Program is a unique leadership development program for students with an interest in service and social responsibility. Students are given a framework to be involved in community service while receiving financial support.

Applications for the Bonner Program are only available to admitted students, but you can learn more about the application process.