UW Marine Biology believes in supporting a diverse student body with a range of both merit and need-based scholarship opportunities. Fund your education in marine biology with the following sources of scholarships and financial aid.

College of the Environment Scholarships

  • Undergraduate students pursuing a Major in Marine Biology may be eligible for a variety of scholarships offered by the UW College of the Environment. Applications open annually in February, and all are based on academic merit and financial need.

View full details on College of the Environment Scholarships

Scholarships include:

  • College of the Environment Scholarship: These scholarships are available to any undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the College of the Environment. Previous recipients may re-apply. Award decisions will be based upon academic merit and financial need.
  • Nancy Wilcox Scholarship: These scholarships are available to students who are pursuing or plan to pursue a degree in the College of the Environment. The Nancy Wilcox Scholarship is part of the “Students First” program at the UW. Award decisions will be based upon financial need, and, secondarily, academic merit
  • Clarence H. Campbell Endowed Lauren Donaldson Scholarship: These scholarships are available to any undergraduate student pursuing a major in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Oceanography and/or Marine Biology. Previous recipients may re-apply. Award decisions will be based upon academic merit and financial need.
  • Dani Elenga Environment Scholarship: These scholarships are available to undergraduate students in all College of the Environment degree-granting programs who are affiliated with the Educational Opportunity Program.
  • Del Rio Environmental Studies Scholarship: These scholarships are available to students who are pursuing or plan to pursue a degree in the College of the Environment and who plan to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program. The Del Rio Environmental Studies Scholarship is part of the “Students First” program at the UW. Recipients will be eligible for continued scholarship funding as long as they meet satisfactory progress requirements. Award decisions will be based upon financial need and, secondarily, academic merit.
  • Yakama Endowed Fund for Student Support: These scholarships are available to any Yakama Nation tribal members who are incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students at the UW in an environmentally-related program or pursuing studies or research focused on the environment. Previous recipients may re-apply. Award decisions will be based upon academic merit and financial need. More information can be found here.

Research Funding

Other Funding

  • College of the Environment Student Travel & Meeting Fund: Financial support for students to attend, present or host conferences or meetings in their field of interest
  • Martin Achievement Scholarship: WA state transfer students attending a community college in the Puget Sound region can apply for this merit-based scholarship to help pursue their first baccalaureate degree at the UW (including in the sciences).
  • Morris K. Udall Scholarship: The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment.
  • Association for Women in Science Seattle Scholarship: $1,000 – $7,500 scholarship, “Open to women who will be juniors or seniors at a four-year college or university in the state of Washington in the Fall of 2021.  Applicants must have a declared major in the sciences, engineering or mathematics, and must have a United States issued social security number. Winners generally have exemplary grades, outstanding letters of recommendation, financial need, a record of community service, and a strong interest in pursuing a career in the sciences, engineering or mathematics.”

University Resources and Links

  • UW Office of Student Financial Aid: student loans, grants and scholarships
  • Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards: merit-based scholarships on and off campus as well as workshops about the scholarship search and application process
  • FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form is required to qualify for Federal Student Aid, and it can also be used to help determine eligibility for need-based scholarships
  • WASFA: Washington State residents, including DREAMers can fill out the Washington Application for State Financial Aid to qualify for Washington State Need Grants or as an alternative to the FAFSA to demonstrate eligibility for some need-based scholarships

Marine Biology Scholarships from other organizations

  • NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study in marine science (or related field) along with a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. Applications open annually in September with a deadline at the end of the following January.
  • Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Foundation Scholarship: The Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation (KGASF) provides scholarships to enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized Tribes and members of Metis, Aboriginal groups and First Nations (“First Nations”) recognized by Canada. Their goal is to help Tribal, or First Nations students or prospective students pursue careers in Aquaculture by providing financial assistance for training and education.
  • Caroline Gibson Scholarship in Marine Studies: $3,500 award given annually to students pursuing either undergraduate or graduate studies related to ‘sustaining the Salish Sea through their studies, work and life’. Deadline 10/1 annually.
  • Wild Fish For All Scholarship (WFFAS): WFFAS is for students enrolled in a fisheries program who are from groups that have historically been excluded from science. Both undergrad and grad students are eligible. Deadline November 15.
  • Marine Technology Society: multiple scholarships offered annually to college graduate, undergraduate and senior high school students. Membership in MTS is required (undergraduate and high school rate is $25/yr)
  • American Fisheries Society Washington – British Columbia Chapter: C. Jeff Cederholm Scholarship: This scholarship provides awards of $1,000 for education expenses for each a Ph.D, masters, and undergraduate student. Graduate students must be AFS WA/BC students at the time of the application (undergraduates do not).
  • The Next Swell Scholarship: One of the primary goals of The Next Swell™ is to award scholastic scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in a marine science field. Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria: academics, defined career goals, passion, contributions/potential contributions to marine conservation. Undergraduates must be in their senior/final year.
  • Captains Preferred Products Annual Marine Science Scholarship: This annual $1,000 scholarship is designed to help college students pursuing a degree in marine science, marine biology, or another marine-focused discipline achieve their academic and career goals.

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