Scholarships for Enrolled Students

*Note: A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for those scholarships that require demonstration of financial need. The FAFSA may be completed on line at www.fafsa.org.  To allow for processing time, students are encouraged to file a FAFSA by April 1st. 

Academic Departmental Scholarships and Awards
These Foundation Scholarships and Awards are offered annually by the following academic departments, pending renewal by the donors.

COLLEGE OF THE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Howard B. Leighton Scholarship– One $2,000 scholarship funded by Professor Howard B. Leighton. Scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who is majoring in Studio or Art History and is a permanent New Jersey state resident. Preference given to a student who demonstrates talent and excellence in his/her chosen major. Financial need should not be a criterion. For more information, contact the Art Department (973) 720-2401

Music Department Talent Awards – Awards are provided for incoming and continuing students based on outstanding musical talent ranging from $300-$500. Awards are granted for one year, renewable each year through the Music Department. Applications are available through the Music Department and must be submitted at the time of application or early in the spring semester. For more information, contact Cameron MacManus, Director of Music Admissioins (973) 720-3466 or Dr. Jeffrey Kresky (973) 720-3470

Sarah and abe bialer Scholarship – One 1,000 scholarship funded by Tami Cotsakos'71 in memory of her aunt and uncle. Scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who is majoring in Music Performance, pursuing a career in opera, with a concentration in voice.  Scholarship may be renewable with full-time status and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. For more information, contact the Music Department  Nan Guptil Crain at 973.720.2334 or Stephen Bryant at 974.720.2691.  

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Eric and Leonore Hummel Award– One $500 award funded by the friends of Eric and Leonore Hummel. Scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in Special Education who has matriculated in the Master’s Program and has a minimum GPA of 3.25 after the completion of at least four courses. Students applying for membership in Kappa Delta Pi will be considered as well as financial need will be taken into consideration. For more information, contact the College of Education (973) 720-3086

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Carole Sheffield Award– One $500 award named in honor of William Paterson University Professor Carole Sheffield. Scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student of Political Science and/or Women’s Studies. Student must have a record of community service and activism. For more information, contact the Women’s Studies Department (973) 720-3547

Chatterjee Scholarship – Three $2,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time students majoring in Asian Studies. Applicants must submit, for review and consideration by the Asian Studies Scholarship Committee; a scholarship application, including a 250 word essay explaining their interest in Asian Studies and at least one letter of recommendation, preferably from a faculty member/teacher. Chatterjee recipients are eligible to re-apply each year, by May 1st, for renewal of the scholarship with a letter of interest (a new letter of recommendation is not required). Recipients' academic progress will be reviewed at the end of the year to determine eligibility for renewal and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the major and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, enroll in at least one course on South Asia beginning the second semester and henceforth and continue enrollment in an Asian language course for at least 4 semesters while receiving the scholarship. The Chatterjee scholarships are intended primarily for new majors and preference will be given to incoming first-year students. Students who are currently Asian Studies minors and those who are not yet affiliated with Asian Studies (including transfer students) may also apply. The scholarship committee reserves the right to solicit applications from qualified students who meet the outlined criteria. The application deadline is June 1, 2007. For more information, contact Dr. Pixy Ferris, Department of Communication (973) 720-3338

Desai Scholarship -Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time students majoring or minoring in Asian Studies. Applicants must submit, for review and consideration by the Asian Studies Scholarship Committee, a scholarship application, including a 250 word essay explaining their interest in Asian Studies and at least one letter of recommendation, preferably from a faculty member/teacher. Desai recipients are eligible to apply each year, by May 1st, for renewal of the scholarship with a letter of interest (a new letter of recommendation is not required). Recipients' academic progress will be reviewed at the end of the year to determine eligibility for renewal and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the major and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, enroll in at least one course on South Asia beginning the second semester and henceforth and continue enrollment in an Asian language course for at least 4 semesters while receiving the scholarship. Students who are currently Asian Studies minors and those who are not affiliated with Asian Studies (including transfer students) may also apply. The scholarship committee reserves the right to solicit applications from qualified students who meet the outlined criteria. The application deadline is June 1, 2007. For more information, contact Dr. Pixy Ferris, Department of Communication (973) 720-3338

Helen and Philip Manno Award– One $100 award funded by Forte Manno. Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior with the highest GPA in English for the academic year. For more information, contact the English Department (973) 720-2254

Norma Van Dyke Award– One $500 or two $250 awards funded by Ellen VanDyke Bedell. Scholarships are awarded to a graduating senior who majored in Women’s Studies, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.8 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Women’s Studies courses. Recipient must exhibit evidence of community service, social activism or scholarly research. For more information, contact the Women’s Studies Department (973) 720-3547

Paul Vouras Humanities Award – One $500 award donated by Professor Paul Vouras. Scholarship is awarded to an academically outstanding senior majoring in either History or Philosophy who is planning on continuing on a graduate level. Recipients are to be nominated by the department and selected by department chairs. For more information, contact the chairpersons for the History or Philosophy Department (973) 720-2319/ 3032

Paul Vouras Social Science Award– One $250 award donated by Paul Vouras. Scholarship is awarded to an academically outstanding senior majoring in Sociology, Political Science or Psychology who is planning on continuing on a graduate level. Recipients are to be nominated by the department and selected by department chairs. For more information, contact the chairpersons for the Sociology, Political Science or Psychology Department (973) 720-2274/ 2183/ 3390

English Department Writing Awards – Awards of $75 each are offered in Fiction, Poetry and Creative Non Fiction. For more information, contact the English Department (973) 720-2254

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH
Improving Student Success in Biology and Biotechnology Scholarships (ISSBB) - Ten to twelve scholarships made available by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation. Scholarship awards will vary based on financial need, with a maximum award of $9,000, and will be given each year to full-time WPUNJ students pursuing a B.S. in Biology or Biotechnology. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years given the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in science and math and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application; two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a science, math or technology instructor; and a personal statement outlining goals, financial need, education plans and career objectives. Scholarship Committee will review student college transcript(s), and high school transcripts for those applicants who have earned less than 24 college credits. NOTE: To be eligible for an ISSBB Scholarship, the applicant must: provide documentation of U.S. citizenship, national or alien classification as a refugee; and have a current FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office. The application deadline is March 3, 2008. For more information, contact Dr. Eileen Gardner, Chair, Biology Department (973) 720-3441

marcelo llarull scholarship– One $1,000 scholarship funded by colleagues, family and friends in memory of Professor Marcelo Llarull. Scholarship is awarded to a senior Mathematics student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 who has completed at least 25 credits in the major.  In addition to academic excellence, students must demonstrate significant service in one or more of the following:  the Mathematics Department Learning Center, active participation in the Math Club, Mathematics Awareness Week, Math Fair, presentation of Mathematics article or poster in a Mathematical conference, etc. For more information, contact the Mathematics Department (973) 720-2158