Commitment to Social Change Scholarship

At Walden University, we believe that knowledge is most worthy when it is put to use in the interest of the greater good. Through the combination of research, critical thinking, and analysis required by our graduate programs, you’ll be more inspired and better prepared to have a positive impact on your organization, community, or the world. Make a commitment to social change and “be the change you want to see in the world.”

Recipients

Awards

6 $2,500 scholarships for new master’s students
- 3 awarded in June
- 3 awarded in December
6 $5,000 scholarships for new doctoral students
- 3 awarded in June
- 3 awarded in December
2 $25,000 scholarships for new doctoral students
- 1 awarded in June
- 1 awarded in December

Timing

Application Deadline	Award Begins
April 1	June start date
October 1	December start date

For programs that do not have start dates in the month the award begins, the award will apply to the next available term.

Eligibility
Applicant must

Have been admitted to their program of interest, with the university in receipt of all of the applicant’s official documentation
Apply for the scholarship within 7 months of their date of admission
Start their program before or in the month their award begins. (Awards begin in June for the April application deadline and December for the October application deadline.) For programs that do not have start dates in the month of the award, scholarship recipients must start at the next available start date
Not have ever withdrawn from Walden University
Not have received another merit-based Walden scholarship for the type of degree they are pursuing (i.e., master’s degree or doctorate)

Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to effect positive social change.

Doctoral applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to conduct and succeed at research, which may include the following:

Concrete evidence of completed research project(s), prospectus, or project outline
Transcripts that show successfully completed research courses
Published articles, books, white papers, etc., resulting from a research project
Letter(s) of reference from research mentor(s)

Applying
Applications must include the following:

Position statement describing the applicant’s capacity to effect social change
Supporting documentation detailing concrete evidence of projects/programs that applicants have overseen or participated in and that have had an impact on a community, organization, etc.
Letters of reference

All application materials should include applicant’s name, email address, telephone number, and program of interest. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

Questions and application materials must be submitted electronically to awards@waldenu.edu.

Disbursement
Funding for the $2,500 and $5,000 scholarships will be disbursed evenly across two terms, with any balance rolling into additional terms. Funding for the $25,000 scholarships will be disbursed in the amount of $4,000 per term, with any balance rolling into additional terms.

The university must be in receipt of all of the applicant’s official documentation for scholarship funds to be disbursed. Students who take a leave of absence for an entire term forfeit the scholarship amount for that term. Students may not add forfeited scholarship funds to another term. Students who withdraw from the university will forfeit the scholarship. Receipt of this scholarship may reduce your loan eligibility and lessen your overall debt load.

Scholarships

You may qualify for $1,000, $2,000, or $4000 in need-based aid. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds are available.

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