Special Application Scholarships

Special Application Scholarships are offered to those students who demonstrate significant interest in a particular field of study, who evidence a commitment to service, or who have special talents in the arts.

Students may apply for as many of these scholarships as they wish by following the directions on the Special Application Scholarship Form; the deadline for submission is January 2 unless otherwise indicated.

Special Application Scholarships can, in most cases, be renewed for the recipients’ remaining three years at Davidson provided grade point average and progress toward degree requirements are met. Any additional renewal requirements are listed in the specific scholarships’ descriptions.

Rupert T. Barber Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $2,000
Number Awarded: Varies -- one to be offered in the Class of 2014
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to a student with exceptional ability in, and passion for, theatre.
Application: Students must submit a statement on the role of theatre in their lives, a recommendation from a current theatre mentor, and a portfolio or a monologue video.

Bonner Scholars Program
Annual Award Amount: $2500 for each of four years along with additional support for summers of service and loan reduction following graduation
Number Awarded: 20 in each first-year class
Eligibility: The Bonner Scholars program is a four year program that centers on being part of a team of students working to bring about positive community change through service, research, and action.  A commitment to the other Bonners and the broader community as well as to personal development is essential (Bonner Common Commitments). Applicants must also demonstrate financial need.  Davidson College is honored to be one of 80+ schools nationwide that partner with the Bonner Foundation.
Application: Students must submit responses to short answer questions related to their service experiences.  Application details can be found at Bonner Scholars.  

Bremer German Scholarship 
Annual Award Amount: $5,000
Number Awarded: One in the student body (next awarded for the Class of 2017)
Eligibility:  This scholarship is awarded to a student who expresses an interest in German as a field of study and who has shown significant success the field.
Application: Students must submit a letter discussing their interest in the award and their experiences and involvement in the study of German.
Special Requirements: The scholarship is renewable each subsequent year so long as the scholar successfully completes at least one course in the German Department per year. In the junior and senior years, that course must be either a course offered through Davidson’s Berlin program or a 400 level seminar course.

Patricia Cornwell Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $10,000
Number Awarded: One in alternate first-year classes -- next awarded for the Class of 2015
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to a student with exceptional ability and promise in writing.
Application: Students must submit a statement on the role of writing in their lives, along with ten pages of their best work in the genre(s) of their choice.

Dobson Neely Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $10,000
Number Awarded: One in each first-year class
Eligibility: These scholarships are awarded to students who express an interest in Latin as a field of study and who have shown significant success in the field.
Application: Students must submit a letter discussing their interest in the award, and their experiences and involvement in the study of Latin.

Music Scholarships
Annual Award Amount: $8,000
Number Awarded: Up to five in each first year class
Eligibility: These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding promise in the field of music.
Application: Students must submit audition recordings by January 2; finalists are required to audition on campus in the spring. All finalists will be offered free music lessons in one area for their four years at Davidson.

Pepper Visual Arts Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $10,000
Number Awarded: One in each first-year class
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding promise in the field of visual art.
Application: Students must submit a portfolio of 12-15 slides or photographs, each labeled with the image's title and the student's name (no disks or original artwork).
Special requirements: To maintain the award for the junior and senior years, recipients must declare a major in Studio Art or Art History. For those recipients eligible for need-based financial aid who do not elect an art major, the Pepper funds in their aid packages will be replaced with need-based funds.

W. Olin Puckett Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $15,000
Number Awarded: Varies
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to students of academic distinction who plan to pursue a career in medicine or in the sciences.
Application: Students must submit a letter stating their interests, qualifications, and related experience.

Wachovia Teaching Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $10,000
Number Awarded:  One in each first-year class
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to students interested in pursuing a teaching career in secondary education.
Application: Students must submit a letter indicating their interest in the award and their personal visions for their careers in secondary education.

Williams Challenge Scholarship
Annual Award Amount: $10,000 (plus $1,000 annually for special study opportunities)
Number Awarded: One in each first-year class
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to a student considering the ministry or other church-related vocations.
Application: Students must submit a letter describing their interest in the award and detailing their related qualifications and experience.