Named Scholarships and Named Scholars Programs

When WashU’s generous alumni and friends donate to scholarships at or above a certain dollar amount, they have the opportunity to establish a named scholarship (for example: The Brookie and Bear WashU Scholarship). These donors receive updates throughout the academic year that demonstrate how their named scholarship is having a positive impact on a specific WashU scholarship recipient who benefits as the “matched” or assigned named scholar. Named scholarships directly contribute to the financial aid WashU awards students each year.

No, being matched as a named scholar to a named scholarship does not result in additional aid or awards.

When you’re “matched” with a donor-funded named scholarship, the money from that named scholarship is contributing toward the financial aid award you’ve already received from WashU. In short, as a named scholar, a portion of your financial aid is made possible by the donor of your named scholarship.

Named scholars have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that foster a sense of community and a culture of philanthropy among scholars. This includes attending annual events including the Named Scholars Orientation in September and the Grateful Gathering in the spring. In addition, named scholars may choose to participate in donor-student meetings, attend career readiness workshops co-hosted by campus partners including the Center for Career Engagement and the WashU Alumni Association, and serve as a volunteer on planning and engagement committees including the WashU Named Scholars Leadership Council.

Named scholars may also choose to be featured in communications shared with a broader audience of scholarship donors including video messaging and annual reports. These scholarship stewardship activities are optional for named scholars.

WashU utilizes tools and technology to conduct the matching of scholarship recipients with donor-funded named scholarships. To be considered, a student must first be enrolled full-time and, except for merit-based scholarships, show current financial aid. Other possible requirements outlined in a donor-funded named scholarship may include academic-based criteria such as school affiliation or declared major/minor program(s) of study.

The Awarded system is used by WashU to engage with scholarship recipients and conduct scholarship matching. In late summer, new and returning scholarship recipients will receive an invitation to log into the Awarded system and complete a brief questionnaire, known as the “Profile.” This first step is required in order to be considered for matching with a named scholarship.

The Awarded system also serves as the main hub for matched students/named scholars to review and respond to important follow-up information related to their named scholarship.

Scholarship stewardship is critical to sustaining and growing scholarship support from our generous scholarship donors, many of whom are alumni. Stewardship activities help WashU demonstrate to our donors the significant impact their support has on students, and the University at large.

One of the primary scholarship stewardship touchpoints produced by University Advancement is a one-page report using the responses you share in the “Follow-Ups” section of Awarded. As you respond to the questions, you will see in real time how your story flows into a custom one-page report to be shared with the donor of your named scholarship. You will only be asked to complete this section if you are a returning named scholar or a newly matched named scholar.

Check out these examples of student reports! 

Yes! Your work will save as you go; however, you will want to take advantage of the “save” button in case there are network issues. And don’t forget to hit the Submit button once you are finished responding to the questions posed in the Profile and Follow-Ups sections.

Updates and notifications regarding your status as a named scholar will be sent through the Awarded system in late fall (typically by early November). You can also check your status by logging into the Awarded system. At any time, you may also contact a member of the University Advancement team.

In most cases, students who remain eligible will be “matched” with the same named scholarship until graduation. Occasionally, a student may be matched with a different named scholarship. In late fall, the recipients of named scholarships will receive a notification with information about the named scholarship including the name of the assigned scholarship and donor information (as available).

There are several factors that determine if a scholarship recipient is eligible to participate as a named scholar. Such factors include enrollment status, financial aid status, academic programming, and other information you provide in the Profile section of Awarded. In some years, we have more eligible scholars than active named scholarships to match. If you are not matched, you will be considered in the future.

Your continued and timely response to the annual Profile questionnaire in the Awarded system is the best first step to ensure you are considered when the matching process is underway.

In September, University Advancement’s Scholarship Stewardship team hosts an in-person scholarship orientation & open house. This event is open to all returning and prospective named scholars interested in learning more about the named scholars program, what to expect in the current academic year, and other event perks like networking with WashU staff and peers, enjoying free food and swag, free headshots, and more!

Mark your calendar! The 2026-27 Named Scholars Orientation & Open House will be held on Thursday, September 10, in Umrath Lounge.