Merit-Based Awards
College is an expensive investment in your future. That’s why we offer substantial scholarships and grants to students likely to thrive on our campus. Committed students are celebrated for the good work and dedication leading up to their application to Hobart and William Smith. Qualification for merit-based awards is determined through a holistic admissions review process and at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions. Standardized test scores are not required for any scholarship.
Merit-based Scholarships
Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and range up to $40,500. These scholarships are good for the time the student is enrolled at HWS as an undergraduate as long as the scholarship recipients meet satisfactory academic progress, uphold community standards and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. A student may only earn one merit scholarship. Any student who is placed on academic or social probation will have their scholarship eligibility reviewed.
Merit Scholarships Include:
TRUSTEE SCHOLARSHIP
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL ’49 SCHOLARSHIP
Bicentennial Scholarship
Faculty Scholarship
Alumni Scholarship
FINGER LAKES SCHOLARSHIP
Finger Lakes Scholarships are designated for students in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State who have at least a 3.0 GPA and visit HWS on designated visit opportunities.
Special Interest Awards
The following special interest awards are stackable with the above named merit scholarships:
CENTENNIAL CENTER LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
$2,500 per year is awarded to academically high-achieving students who are leaders in their communities, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, and may be great candidates for leadership programs in the Centennial Center at HWS. Qualification is determined through the application process at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions.
EDWARD E. RIGNEY ’31 DEBATE SCHOLARSHIP
$3,000 per year, is awarded to students who have contributed significantly to debate programs, Model U.N., Mock trial, or other similarly relevant pursuits. The Debate scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions with guidance from the Faculty Advisor for the Debate Team. Interested applicants should contact the Faculty Advisor, Daniel Schonning, at schonning@hws.edu.
THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
$2,500 per year is awarded to students who demonstrate a heightened awareness of issues that impact the greater good and who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to community. Civic Engagement Scholars will serve in and with organizations that support the Finger Lakes region. Qualification is determined through the application process at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions.
ARTS SCHOLARS PROGRAM
$3,000 per year, the Arts Scholars Program is designed for talented first-year applicants who would like to continue their work in the fine or performing arts while pursuing a rigorous program of study in any of the liberal arts and sciences programs offered by the Colleges. Scholarships are awarded on the recommendation of the fine and performing arts faculty.
If chosen as an Arts Scholar, students are not required to major in a fine or performing art, but it is the expectation that the scholar will participate every year for four years in the art for which they were designated a scholar. All arts scholars require a completed arts application.
Follow the links below to view specific requirements for each scholarship: