Access to an exceptional student experience and top-notch education shouldn’t depend on your financial circumstances.
In 2023, Washington University provided more than $342.7 million in financial aid to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Donors like you provide essential student support for students that allows WashU to attract the brightest students from around the country and the world. Scholarship gifts of all sizes help ensure that our student body more accurately reflects the world at large—and that every student benefits from an environment rich with diverse perspectives.
Meet our students
Olin School of Business, Class of 2027
McKelvey School of Engineering, Class of 2027
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Class of 2026
Arts & Sciences, Class of 2027
Rafael Alvarez
Olin School of Business, Class of 2027
For Rafael Alvarez, scholarship support empowers him to pursue his education as well as his dreams. “I am taking full advantage of this amazing opportunity and have already begun to mentor younger students with the knowledge and skills I have obtained.”
Rafael is a sophomore in the Olin School of Business, majoring in business administration. He’s also involved in the Olin Business Council, serves as a Partners in East St. Louis mentor, and plays on the WashU club badminton team.
I am taking full advantage of this amazing opportunity and have already begun to mentor younger students with the knowledge and skills I have obtained.
“My favorite place to study on campus is the second floor of the library. It is always very quiet, and it has bean bags if you need to take a power nap! I enjoy relaxing in the Danforth University Center, since the second floor has a foosball table. I grew up playing foosball, so I am strangely good at it and am always looking for more competition.”
A memorable experience in summer 2024 took place when Rafael visited an accounting firm in Chicago. “While there, I got to visit Millennium Park, and one of my favorite bands was performing a free concert! It was a totally random coincidence that really capped off my trip and my summer.”
“A highlight of my 2023-24 academic year was getting to be a part of the first Latinx studies class taught by Elaine Peña. It was a phenomenal and engaging class where I learned a lot and connected with the professor. This year, I am most excited to connect with my career advisor, so I can prepare for my future as a business professional.”
After graduation, Rafael plans to earn a CPA license and work at an accounting firm. In the future, he also hopes to provide financial literacy courses to underrepresented communities.
Cora Johnson
McKelvey School of Engineering, Class of 2027
Thanks to scholarship support, Cora Johnson is attending her “dream school” and pursuing a major she was passionate about during high school. “There are no words to describe how incredibly grateful I am for your contribution to my education. Thank you for believing in a farm girl from rural Missouri. I truly couldn’t be here without your help!”
Cora is a sophomore biomedical engineering major in the McKelvey School of Engineering. During her first year at WashU, she especially enjoyed the BME 140 course with Professor Patricia Widder.
“She is a fantastic mentor, and her class is very engaging. I was also able to meet many other first-years and get to know them better over the course of the class.”
There are no words to describe how incredibly grateful I am for your contribution to my education. Thank you for believing in a farm girl from rural Missouri. I truly couldn’t be here without your help!
Outside the classroom, Cora devotes time to the WashU rowing team, Rockwell Episcopal Ministry, Society of Women Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Society, and Project Smile through the Campus Y. “This year, I am most excited about working with Campus Y on Project Smile. I love getting to meet kids from the St. Louis area and learn about their background while also sharing my passion for arts and crafts.”
Cora’s favorite study spot on campus is the physics library because of the many seating options and large windows. “I also love to relax in the hammock between Dardick and Nemerov [residential houses] because it’s close to my housing and almost always in the sunshine!”
In summer 2024, Cora had an internship at UN&UP, a medical device design startup. “I was able to work with two other WashU students majoring in biomedical engineering.” She learned new skills, such as fluidics and blood clot work, and practiced skills, like using CAD and maintaining 3D printers.
In the future, Cora would like to work with a medical device company. “I love working on devices that have the possibility to save lives, and I also enjoy the culture of a startup and the possibility that it brings.”
Trent Clark
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Class of 2026
Trent Clark aspires to help others in transformative ways, and he’s already made a difference thanks to the scholarship support he’s received. “Your donation has not only impacted me but will also enable me to positively influence others. I am committed to continuing the legacy of giving and support that you have begun in my life.”
Trent is a junior in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, majoring in architecture.
His favorite place to study on campus is in the Bear’s Den in the morning when it’s quiet. “I also value the peaceful study environment inside of Kuehner Court. My favorite place to relax on campus is anywhere I can laugh and decompress with my friends because it allows me to carry that energy all around campus.”
Your donation has not only impacted me but will also enable me to positively influence others. I am committed to continuing the legacy of giving and support that you have begun in my life.
A highlight of his previous academic year was being a mentor and role model to incoming first-year students at WashU and those enrolled at other nearby campuses. “I have a passion for putting a smile on faces and creating fun memories. I would update the incoming students on events around campus throughout the school year and invite friends from other schools to our activities and study sessions here on campus.” He has served as a tour guide for incoming scholarship recipients and as a board representative in the College Council for Congress of the South 40.
In July 2024, Trent joined his church on a mission trip to Costa Rica. “Our collective mission was to teach the English language, rejuvenate places of worship, and contribute to the healing of communities affected by natural disasters. I served as a helping hand in constructing homes and medical facilities, thus weaving a tapestry of service and support for those in need.”
This year, Trent is most excited to step into new areas of interest: real estate courses and marketing classes. “I feel like these are great additions to my architectural skills and soon to be bachelor’s degree. I want to take full advantage of every opportunity that is presented to me this year because I know it will pay off in the future!”
In the next few years, Trent hopes to give back financially to scholarship foundations and students around the world, especially in St. Louis. “I also want to continue my passion for traveling with loved ones and analyzing the beautiful architecture presented to me,” he said. “Lastly, I want to be working towards or already owning my own architecture/real estate company.”
Sarah Cai
Arts & Sciences, Class of 2027
Sarah, a sophomore in Arts & Sciences, loves to study in the East Asian Library. “It’s really quiet, so I can get a lot of work done there. It’s also less popular than Olin Library, so I can always find a spot.” The view of the campus from Tisch Park in front of Brookings Hall is another favorite of Sarah’s. “The places to eat on that side of campus are all so amazing, too. It’s nice to chat with friends there.”
She’s majoring in psychological and brain sciences, with minors in writing and architecture.
Because of you, I get to experience all the amazing opportunities at WashU. I can’t thank you enough for supporting my education at such an amazing institution.
Her academic pursuits are complemented by involvement in activities including the Asian Music Association, Active Minds, and tae kwon do. “Last academic year, I really enjoyed being a performer in the Lunar New Year Festival at Edison Theater. It gave me a great sense of community and an awesome friend group. Our hard work really paid off, and the festival brings such a large group of students together.”
In summer 2024, Sarah completed an internship with the Personality Measurement and Development Lab at WashU, where she learned valuable skills such as communication, coding, and research.
“This academic year, I am most excited to continue being active in my extracurricular clubs, working as a research assistant, and hanging out with the friends I made last year! And I cannot wait to live in a single room in my dorm.”
After graduation, Sarah plans to continue her studies and earn a PhD in psychology. “I hope to pursue research in the field and discover something new. I would also really like to visit Europe if I have the chance, be it through study abroad or in my free time.”
Did you know?
- WashU students were awarded $342.7 million in financial assistance during fiscal year 2023.
- In 2022-23, 42% of undergraduates received scholarship support.
- 33% of undergraduate scholarship recipients received significant assistance—50% or more of tuition.
- In 2022-23, the average scholarship award per undergraduate student was $56,652.