Danforth Scholars Program
Offered by Washington University in St. Louis
About This Scholarship
The Danforth Scholars Program is Washington University in St. Louis's marquee scholarship for students who lead through service. Named for former Chancellor William H. Danforth and Elizabeth Gray Danforth, it awards either full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships, renewable annually as long as scholars maintain academic progress and the program's character standards.
The program is open to students applying to any WashU undergraduate school. The mechanics are simple: submit a Common Application or Coalition Application (by December 16, 2026 for priority consideration), then answer a single short-answer question — 250 words maximum on servant leadership and community empowerment — inside the WashU Pathway portal by January 4, 2027. Counselor and teacher recommendations are required, with an optional third letter from someone who can speak to your community contributions.
Finalists are notified by the end of February and invited to a virtual interview, with scholars named in March. If you are already applying to WashU, the marginal cost of this application is one thoughtful 250-word answer — among the best effort-to-value ratios of any full-tuition award.
Eligibility
- High school senior applying for first-year admission to Washington University in St. Louis (Class of 2031)
- Open to applicants to any WashU undergraduate school
- Demonstrated leadership in service and commitment to community
- Counselor and teacher recommendation letters required
How To Apply
- Submit a Common Application or Coalition Application to WashU — by December 16, 2026 for priority consideration
- Access the WashU Pathway portal and answer the 250-word short-answer question on servant leadership by January 4, 2027
- Submit required counselor and teacher recommendations (plus an optional third letter on your community contributions)
- If named a finalist (end of February), complete the virtual interview; scholars are notified in March
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Danforth Scholarship worth?
Scholars receive either a full-tuition scholarship with a $2,500 stipend or a partial-tuition scholarship, renewable annually contingent on academic progress and character standards.
What extra work does the application take?
One short-answer question of at most 250 words on leadership and service, completed in the WashU Pathway portal by January 4, 2027, plus your recommendation letters.
When are decisions made?
Finalists are notified by the end of February and invited to a virtual interview; scholars are notified in March.