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Davidson College Grants & Scholarships

A wide range of funding sources are available through various offices and departments at Davidson.  Read through this list and see if you are eligible for any of these grants and scholarships.  Don't forget to explore the list of external (non-Davidson) funding sources for additional opportunities.


Davidson College Funding Sources

Name Description Eligibility
Kohler-Marchio Scholarship The Kohler-Marchio Spanish Summer Language Study Scholarship was established by the parents of Stephanie Kohler '01 and Winston Kohler '05. This scholarship is given in memory of Stephanie and Winston's grandmothers: Florence Kohler and Estelle Marchio. Stephanie and Winston had very positive experiences during their summer programs in Monterrey, Mexico and Cádiz, Spain while at Davidson. Davidson in Cadiz applicants only
Lester Scholarship Thanks to a bequest from Dr. Malcolm Lester, late Professor and Chair of History and first director of the Cambridge Program, and his wife Mrs. Pauline Lester, the Cambridge Program offers Lester Scholarships of between $1,000.00 and $3,000.00. All students are eligible to apply for a Lester Scholarship but, in accordance with the donors' instructions, preference will be given to candidates who 1) have strong academic records, 2) have demonstrated financial need, and 3) major in History. Instructions for applying for a Lester Scholarship are included in the Cambridge Program application. Davidson in Cambridge applicants only
Lilly Scholarship Thanks to a bequest from Dr. Henry T. Lilly, late Professor of English (1926-66), the Cambridge Program offers Lilly Scholarships of between $1000 and $3000.  All students are eligible to apply for a Lilly Scholarship but, in accordance with the donors' instructions, preference will be given to candidates who 1) have strong academic records, 2) have demonstrated financial need, and 3) major in English.  Instructions for applying for a Lilly Scholarship are included in the Cambridge Program application. Davidson in Cambridge applicants only
Heitz-Wagener Grant The Heitz-Wagener Spring Semester Travel Grant provides 2-4 stipends of no more than $1,500 each to students with demonstrated financial need who are studying abroad in the spring semester.  The stipend is to be used for additional travel after the end of the spring semester program.  Students on spring semester programs.
Downs Summer Grant The Downs Summer Grant awards 1-2 stipends of no more than $2,000 each to students with demonstrated financial need.  Apply through the Davidson summer study abroad application. Students must be applying to a credit-bearing summer program, receive need-based financial aid, and not have previously studied abroad for credit.

Priority is given to students for whom summer is the only time they are able to study abroad.
Dean Rusk Travel Grants The Dean Rusk International Studies Program awards grants to Davidson students for service, research, internships, study, and experiential learning abroad.  

Students on Davidson summer term faculty-led programs are automatically considered for Dean Rusk funding and do not need to submit a separate proposal.
Summer and winter break programs only
Chaplain's Office: Spiritual Exploration Grant Spiritual Exploration Grants are awarded for study, service, or experiential learning, either domestic or international, that substantially relates to any spiritual or religious tradition(s). Applicants must clearly state in their supporting essay how the proposed project will help them learn about or embody one or more spiritual or religious traditions. The maximum grant award is $750 for Winter and Spring Break, or $3,500 for summer break.  Summer and winter break applicants only.
Chaplain's Office: Staley Grant Staley Grants are awarded for study, service, mission, or experiential learning, either domestic or international, that (in accordance with the donors' wishes) relates to or embodies Christian faith. Applicants must clearly state in their supporting essay how the proposed project will help them learn about or embody Christian practices, beliefs, or traditions. The maximum grant award is $750 for Winter Break and Spring Break or $3,500 for summer break.  Summer and winter break applicants only.
Chaplain's Office: Warner Hall Study Grant Warner Hall Grants are awarded for travel and study outside the United States. In accordance with the donor's wishes, these grants are for students considering a Christian church vocation. Applicants must clearly state in their supporting essay how the proposed project relates to consideration of a Christian church vocation. The maximum Warner Hall Grant award is ordinarily $4,500.  
Center for Civic Engagement The Center for Civic Engagement provides grants and seed funding to support service and social action throughout the United States and abroad.  
Alvarez Access  Fund The Alvarez Access Fund provides curricular and career-related funding for any F-1 international student who has outstanding financial challenges. Access grant amounts will rarely exceed $1000 and never exceed $2000. To access these funds, students must file a timely and complete Alvarez Access Fund Application (Davidson login required) to demonstrate the experience’s relevance to their career aspirations or area of study. International students only

Summer programs only
Alvarez Guarantee Fund Starting in the fall of 2019 (with the class of 2023), the Alvarez Guarantee Fund guarantees every F-1 international student receiving Davidson College financial aid who submits properly filed applications two $4,000 stipends to use towards curricular or career pursuits while they are students at Davidson. To access these funds, students must file a timely and complete Alvarez Guarantee Fund Application (Davidson login required) to demonstrate the experience’s relevance to their career aspirations or area of study. International students only

Summer programs only
Financial Aid Office Summer Loans Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet apple pie bear claw brownie. Pie bear claw gummies oat cake oat cake chocolate. Pastry jelly pudding powder macaroon lemon drops gummies sweet. Contact Linda Patel at lipatel@davidson.edu