WashU Danforth Scholars 2027 | Full Tuition + Stipend

The WashU Danforth Scholars Program 2027 is open to first-year applicants to any undergraduate division at Washington University in St. Louis. Its top award covers full tuition and adds a US$2,500 stipend; half-tuition awards are also available. International students may apply. Submit the admission application by December 16, 2026 for priority consideration, then complete the Danforth application in the WashU Pathway no later than January 4, 2027. WashU has not published a cutoff time or time zone.

WashU Danforth Scholarship 2027: key facts

Host: Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Study level: Undergraduate bachelor’s degree
Top award: Full tuition plus a US$2,500 stipend
Other award: Half tuition
Duration: Renewable annually for the normal degree period, subject to academic progress and program standards
Eligible applicants: Students applying to any WashU undergraduate school; international applicants are included
Priority admission submission: December 16, 2026
Final scholarship deadline: January 4, 2027
Application fee: US$75, with waivers available for financial-aid applicants and qualifying hardship cases
SAT/ACT: Optional for fall 2027

What does the Danforth Scholarship cover?

WashU states that Danforth Scholars may receive a full-tuition scholarship with a US$2,500 stipend or a half-tuition scholarship. The award is renewable each year while the student makes satisfactory academic progress and continues to meet the character and community expectations of the program.

This is a full-tuition award, not a complete cost-of-attendance guarantee. WashU’s official description does not say that the Danforth award automatically pays housing, meals, travel, health insurance or every personal expense. Applicants should budget for costs outside the stated tuition award and stipend unless separate financial aid covers them.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are seeking first-year admission to any of WashU’s undergraduate divisions: Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business or Engineering. The Danforth program emphasizes leadership in service, intellectual and creative ability, commitment to diversity, kindness and sustained community impact.

International applicants are eligible. WashU’s international application page directs students to the Signature Scholar Programs and does not impose a citizenship restriction on Danforth. This differs from WashU’s Ervin Scholars Program, which has specific U.S.-status restrictions.

Academic and personal profile

WashU does not publish a minimum GPA or class-rank cutoff for Danforth. Competitive applicants should show strong academic preparation and give concrete evidence of servant leadership—helping communities grow and empowering other people rather than simply listing titles.

Required documents

Prepare the following admission and scholarship materials:

Common Application or Coalition Application
WashU-specific 250-word academic-interest response
School Report and official secondary-school transcript
One teacher evaluation and one counselor recommendation
Danforth short-answer response of no more than 250 words in the WashU Pathway
Optional third recommendation from someone who can discuss your community contribution
English-proficiency score when required
Portfolio for College of Art applicants; strongly encouraged for Architecture applicants
International Financial Information form if an international applicant is not requesting need-based aid
Financial-aid documents if applying for need-based aid

International academic records must include original or certified transcripts, the grading system, examination results and school-leaving certificates where applicable. Documents not issued in English require certified English translations.

English language and standardized tests

International applicants whose first language is not English must normally submit TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo English Test results, unless WashU grants an exemption. For competitive undergraduate applicants, WashU reports recommended scores of IELTS 7.0 and Duolingo 130. For TOEFL, it recommends 100 for tests taken before January 21, 2026 and 5.0 under the revised scale for tests taken on or after that date.

The last English tests accepted for fall 2027 are those administered in December 2026, or October 2026 for Early Action and Early Decision I applicants. Beginning with fall 2027 applicants, SAT or ACT cannot replace the English-proficiency requirement. SAT and ACT remain optional for admission.

How to apply for Danforth Scholars 2027

Choose your application platform. Start a Common Application or Coalition Application for WashU’s Class of 2031.
Select an undergraduate school. Choose Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business or Engineering.
Submit the admission application. December 16, 2026 is the priority date for Signature Scholar consideration. The scholarship application itself closes January 4, 2027.
Open the WashU Pathway. WashU sends login instructions within a few days after the admission application is submitted.
Select the Danforth Scholars Program. The Pathway contains the separate Signature Scholar applications.
Write the Danforth response. In no more than 250 words, explain with one or two detailed examples how your leadership has fostered growth and empowerment in your community.
Check recommendations and records. The scholarship committee uses the counselor and teacher letters already submitted for admission. Add the optional third letter only if it contributes new evidence.
Submit by January 4, 2027. Do not wait for a time-zone assumption; WashU states the date but not a cutoff time.
Monitor the Pathway. Finalists are notified by the end of February and must attend the virtual events and interview in early March to remain eligible. Scholars are notified in March.

Apply Now — Official Danforth Scholars Page

Selection tips

Lead with a specific community problem, not a general claim about leadership.
Show what you did, whom you involved and what changed.
Explain how you gave other people agency or resources.
Connect service, intellectual curiosity, diversity and kindness naturally.
Use the optional recommendation only when the writer can document impact not already visible elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Danforth Scholarship fully funded?

The top Danforth award pays full tuition and provides a US$2,500 stipend. WashU does not describe it as covering all living, travel and personal costs, so it is more accurate to call it a full-tuition scholarship with a stipend rather than a full cost-of-attendance award.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International first-year applicants may apply to WashU’s Signature Scholar Programs, and the Danforth eligibility page is open to students applying to any undergraduate school.

Is there a separate scholarship application?

Yes. First submit the Common or Coalition admission application. WashU then gives you access to the Pathway, where you complete the Danforth-specific short answer.

What is the deadline?

Submit the admission application by December 16, 2026 for priority consideration. The completed Danforth scholarship application must be received by January 4, 2027. WashU does not state a cutoff time or time zone.

Are SAT or ACT scores required?

No. WashU is test-optional for fall 2027. Required English-proficiency testing for applicable international applicants is separate from the SAT/ACT policy.

What happens after I apply?

Finalists are notified by the end of February. They must participate in virtual programming and an interview in early March. Award decisions follow in March.