Scholarships for Health Professions Students

Thanks to the support of several generous donors, Willamette is able to offer the following competitive scholarships to continuing second, third, and fourth-year students pursuing careers in healthcare. 

Awards range from $690 to $8,250 to be applied to the following year’s tuition expenses. Some scholarship funds will be used to make multiple scholarship awards. Please see below for more information. 

Health Professions Scholarship Funds

• Ferrin Scholarship Fund

  Established in recognition of Dr. Al Ferrin ‘41 and Betty Ferrin, this award is given to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence and is interested in a career in the fields of medicine, nursing and/or laboratory technology. Multiple awards.

• Ralph E. Purvine Scholarship

  Established in the memory of Dr. Ralph E. Purvine by his family and friends, the Ralph E. Purvine Scholarship in pre-medicine is awarded annually to a rising third or fourth-year pre-medical student who exemplifies the attributes of a good physician. Single award.

• Lola Dasch Seeger and Mervin E. Seeger Science Scholarship Fund

  Established by Dr. Robert C. Seeger ‘62, in honor of his mother, Lola Dasch Seeger, and father, Mervin E. Seeger, this scholarship aims to assist students in attaining an undergraduate education in mathematics or the sciences in preparation for a career in medicine or the biomedical sciences. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Multiple awards.

• Richard Kerr Memorial Scholarship

  This scholarship was established to honor the memory of Richard Kerr. It is awarded to a pre-medical student enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. Single award.

Who should apply? 

Students enrolled in Willamette University’s College of Arts and Sciences who plan to pursue a health-related career and who will be returning to Willamette to complete their second, third, or fourth years are welcome to apply. Some scholarships (see above) require students to demonstrate financial need and/or meet a minimum GPA requirement. 

How to Apply 

Scholarship applications usually open in March and close at the beginning of April. Students who submit an application will be considered for each scholarship for which they are eligible. 

A complete application will include the following information: 

• Your post-graduate career interests within the health professions. 
• Your GPA and some short highlights of co-curricular activities including volunteer experience, clinical experience, and leadership experience. 
• A short statement (1-2 paragraphs) that describes your academic and intellectual goals for the rest of your time at Willamette and how these experiences will help prepare you for your professional goals.
• The name and contact information of a faculty member who will serve as a reference (they do not need to submit a letter)