All applying students are automatically considered for aid — there is no additional application required. Among our many named scholarships are the following:

Edward C. Bou Scholarship

This is a merit award given annually in support of an undergraduate or graduate student studying in the Department of Philosophy and Religion who has exemplified outstanding scholarly aptitude.  

Gustavus Swift Fellowship

Established in 1914 in honor of Gustavus Swift, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who generously supported educational, religious, and cultural institutions, this fellowship is awarded to graduates of the Garrett Theological Seminary. The GTS selects fellowship recipients and AU awards the fellowship.

Charley D. Hardwick Scholarship

All majors may be considered for the scholarship. The main selection criterion is the future plan of the student to enter the ministry or church vocation. Consideration will be given to those who have a desire to pursue career opportunities within the ministry, not only minister or leader of a church.

Applicants should email a letter of interest to philrel@american.edu with "Charley D. Hardwick Scholarship Application" in the subject line. The application process will begin January 1st of each year with a deadline of March 1st.

Bordan Parker Bowne Fellowship

Established in 1955 in honor of Borden Parker Bowne, an American philosopher and Methodist theologian, this fellowship is awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in philosophy. The award is based on financial need and academic excellence. 

Lucinda Joy Peach Scholarship

Named in honor of an esteemed Philosophy & Religion professor and her commitment to peace, this scholarship is designed to defray the costs of tuition for MA students in the Department of Philosophy & Religion who are enrolled in the Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights program.

Harold J. and Ruth Pearson Fellowship

This fellowship is typically awarded to graduate students and is used for student assistance at the discretion of the department.

Edward B. Lewis Scholarship

In the trust agreement, Dr. Edward B. Lewis requested this bequest be used to establish a scholarship fund for a “worthy student or students preparing for the ministry or a church vocation.” This scholarship is administered by the Kay Spiritual Life Center.

Applicants should email a letter of interest to philrel@american.edu with "Edward B. Lewis Scholarship Application" in the subject line. The application process will begin January 15th of each year with a deadline of March 15th.

Ethics Bowl Lead Coordinator Position

Distinguished applicants with teaching and/or logistics management experience may be asked to take on this position as Lead Coordinator for the DC Area High School Ethics Bowl, which is housed in our department. The position is paid and works closely with key faculty. See the department's Ethics Bowl page for more information about the High School Ethics Bowl.

Pearson Outstanding Graduate Student Prize

A $500 award presented each spring semester to a graduating MA student in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. The prize recognizes outstanding overall performance in the program and can be based on demonstrated excellence in scholarship, public engagement, or pedagogy. 

All students who wish to be considered for departmental fellowship, or additional financial assistance in the form of loans, must fill out the FAFSA by March 1 for the following academic year. Contact Graduate Financial Aid for details.

International students are subject to federal regulations and, therefore, should contact International Student and Scholar Services for information.

Undergraduate Awards and Scholarships in Philosophy and Religious Studies

Andrea Tschemplik Memorial Scholarship

The Andrea Tschemplik Memorial Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate student(s) with demonstrated financial need enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and pursuing a major or minor in philosophy or religious studies. Preference is given to students who are from the first generation in their family to attend college.

Harold J. and Ruth Pearson Prize

A $500 award is presented each spring semester to a graduating senior or seniors majoring in philosophy for their outstanding performance in philosophy. A book prize is also awarded to each of the graduating philosophy majors who have demonstrated excellent work in philosophy. Both of these awards are decided in mid-March and awarded at the end of the spring semester.

Philosophy and Social Justice Prize

The Philosophy and Social Justice Prize is awarded annually for an undergraduate paper or project that affirms the value of philosophy to engaging barriers to social justice. Students whose work addresses philosophical approaches to understanding social difference or practical applications of philosophy to social problems are welcome to apply.

Donald Kane Prize in Religion

A $500 award is presented each spring for the best essay written by a religion major in the previous year. Students need only be religion majors to be eligible; no further academic standing is required.

Fellowships/Job Opportunities

The Outstanding Scholar Program is a special hiring authority established for entry-level positions at the GS-5 and GS-7 grade levels. This special hiring authority is used to fill approximately 100 occupational fields in the Federal Government.

Presidential Management Intern Program

Scholarships and Grants

Students should also consider outside funding in the form of scholarships and grants. The following is only a partial, in-progress, list to get you started:

Scholarship Search List of links provided by AU's Financial Aid Office

Scholarships for Minorities Large source of links to scholarships for a number of minority groups.

NAACP Scholarship Program Scholarships for African Americans

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Korean American Scholarship Foundation