Office of Admission

Special Interest Awards

Wittenberg StudentsWittenberg recognizes individual talents, experiences and passions through special interest scholarships in chemistry, community engagement, entrepreneurship, environmental science and leadership. These scholarships require a separate application. All special interest scholarships are competitive, and require you to submit application materials. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by January 15, 2024, to be considered.

  • Students must be admitted to Wittenberg University prior to applying for a Special Interest Award.
  • Special Interest Awards and Fine Arts Scholarships require separate applications.
  • In addition to a Wittenberg Merit Scholarship, students may receive either one Special Interest Award or one Fine Arts Scholarship.
  • All scholarships and awards are renewable for up to four years (or eight semesters) providing the student remains in good academic standing and meets any specified award-specific renewal criteria.

This competitive award recognizes students who are committed to developing themselves as leaders in Business or Economic careers. Recipients will participate in robust professional programming and gain a deep appreciation of the relationship between the economy and society. The program positions participants to solve problems both within and outside of the for-profit world.

Criteria: Awards are selective and based on demonstration of excellent academic achievement, proven intellectual curiosity, evidence of leadership potential and an interest in a career in business or economics. Among the criteria used to select recipients are your essay, resume, high school class rank and GPA. Entering first year Business & Economics Leaders are ensured a seat in a business or economics first year seminar, as well as an academic advisor in the Business & Economics Department in the first year.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Guidelines: Students must provide a resume showing intellectual curiosity and leadership potential. Students must also write a personal essay (500-700 words) describing why they are interested in studying Business or Economics. The essay should demonstrate motivation and personal characteristics that will enable success in the program.

Expectations: In order to renew the scholarship students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and do the following:

  • Freshman Year: Participate in the Business & Economics Lecture Series (3-6 speakers from a variety of industries per year). During the spring of their first year, recipients will help plan and promote the following year’s speaker series.
  • Sophomore Year: By the end of the fall of their sophomore year, recipients must complete ACCT 225, BUSN 210/DATA 227, ECON 200 with at least a 3.0 in each class. In the spring of the sophomore year, recipients will participate in a travel learning experience or participate in independent research with a faculty mentor.
  • Junior Year: Recipients must participate in the alumni Mentorship Program.
  • Senior Year: Recipients must participate in mentoring First Year Leaders.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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Application Closed

The Franta Chemistry Special Interest Award will give you the opportunity to complement your coursework with work study, research, co-curricular activities, or extra-curricular involvement.

Criteria: The Franta Chemistry Special Interest Award is awarded to students who demonstrate an interest in studying chemistry.

Amount: This award ranges from $2,000 up to $15,000 per year, and may be awarded in addition to a merit scholarship.

Guidelines: Please provide a personal essay describing why you are interested in studying Chemistry at Wittenberg.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: To renew this scholarship, recipients must maintain a cumulative and Chemistry GPA of 3.0 or above. Franta Chemistry Scholars also must maintain satisfactory academic progress in Chemistry courses by completing at least CHEM 162 by the beginning of the second year, at least three chemistry courses by the beginning of the third year, and at least five chemistry courses by the beginning of the fourth year. Recipients will be given priority for the summer research and conference travel support that is available to all Chemistry and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology students and will have the opportunity to participate in academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities related to chemistry. Opportunities for involvement may include assisting faculty in scholarly research, potentially through work study; organizing or aiding campus activities that promote the program; hosting visiting scholars, speakers, or prospective students; providing leadership in student organizations; participating on relevant faculty committees; and engaging in community outreach activities.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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This award will develop a student’s capacity to work with others for the betterment of the civic life of a community. Through engagement, reflection and trainings, the scholarship will strengthen a student’s disposition to be knowledgeable and appreciative of the community and to act upon this sense of responsibility to contribute to community.  Scholars will develop supportive and meaningful networks and the skills to thrive during and after college.

Civic Learning Outcomes for the Scholarship

  • Connect personal attributes, skills and knowledge to one’s identify as an engaged citizen
  • Value and believe in the promise of the community
  • Understand and appreciate the value of diverse beliefs, ideas, and worldviews that lead to a desire to address issues of inequality
  • Develop the ability to work with others to develop better-informed opinions, perceptions, and solutions to complex issues in society
  • Recognize the responsibility of taking action for benefit of the community
  • Construct a commitment to stay involved in and connected to the community

Criteria: Awards will be made to students who have maintained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate a sustained commitment to community service as a type of civic engagement, take initiative and leadership roles in conjunction with their engagement, and display an interest in addressing key civic and social issues and developing a better understanding of complex ideas and worldviews.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Students must submit the Special Interest Award in Civic Engagement application, write a personal essay exhibiting the criteria stipulated, and include a resume of community engagement activities. Upon acceptance to Wittenberg University, finalists will be selected for an interview

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: Civic Engagement Scholars will engage in trainings to prepare them for an on-going commitment of service throughout their time at Wittenberg (~20 hours/semester), participate in educational workshops and dialogues, serve as advocates for civic engagement on campus, design and implement a civic engagement project, and reflect on the connection between their scholarship experience and the liberal arts education. If all expectations are met, the award is renewable annually based on maintaining a 2.75 cumulative GPA and good academic and social standing.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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Application Closed

The Special Interest Award in Entrepreneurship is designed to support students from all disciplines committed to the study and practice of entrepreneurship. In addition to supporting individual student entrepreneurs, this award is also aimed at fostering a vibrant, multi-disciplined community of entrepreneurs on campus. Wittenberg's motto, "Having light, we pass it on to others" is central to Wittenberg's approach in educating the next generation of entrepreneurs and change-makers in all aspects of life.

Criteria: The Special Interest Award in Entrepreneurship will be awarded to incoming students who have maintained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and exhibit a strong interest in entrepreneurship and a willingness to engage with Wittenberg's community of student entrepreneurs. Students with prior entrepreneurial experience and a desire to take that experience to the next level in college are especially encouraged to apply.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Students must write a personal essay explaining how they demonstrate the qualities of entrepreneurial thinking and practice. Your essay should emphasize why you are the best candidate for this award and how you plan to incorporate entrepreneurial study and practice into your college experience. Where appropriate, this essay should align with your planned field of study at Wittenberg.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: Special Interest Awards in Entrepreneurship are renewable annually to students who carry a full-time course load at Wittenberg and maintain satisfactory academic progress and good social standing. As an Entrepreneurial Scholar, recipients will have the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program during their freshman year. While award recipients will undoubtedly pursue a wide variety of fields of study, it is expected that all will successfully complete BUSN 200, Entrepreneurship, prior to the end of the sophomore year. Recipients will also have the opportunity to meet with the Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program Coordinator at the beginning of the semester, as well as other Entrepreneurial Scholars.

Mentoring: Entrepreneurial Scholars, regardless of the major being pursued, will have an opportunity to participate in the Business Department's student mentoring program in which students have an opportunity to select a mentor from participating Wittenberg alumni, many of whom are successful entrepreneurs.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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Application Closed

Wittenberg's mission challenges us to become responsible global citizens. The Environmental Science Program provides academic opportunities to engage in our mission as you pursue a degree in environmental science. The Special Interest Award in Environmental Science will give you the opportunity to complement your coursework with work study, research, co-curricular activities, or extra-curricular involvement.

Criteria: The Special Interest Award in Environmental Science is awarded to students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and desire to pursue a major or minor in environmental science.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Please provide a personal essay about your interest in environmental science.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: To renew this scholarship for the duration of your four years on campus, you must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Environmental Scholars are required to major or minor in environmental science or environmental studies, and will have the opportunity to participate in academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities related to the environment, and to help promote the Environmental Science Program.  Opportunities for involvement may include assisting faculty in laboratory or field research, potentially through work study, organizing or aiding campus activities that promote the program, host visiting scholars, speakers, or prospective students, providing leadership in student organizations, participating on relevant faculty committees, and engaging in community outreach activities.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

Application Closed

Criteria: The Office of Career & Professional Development offers the Special Interest Award in Leadership to students who have experience with leading others through leadership roles in organizations and co-curricular programs, or cumulative 3.0 GPA, and who have led positive change in their communities.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Write an essay about personal leadership experiences and, if selected, participate in a scholarship interview. Candidates should exhibit strong academic skills, an interest in creating positive change through leadership, and a sustained commitment to involvement and participation in student organizations.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: To renew this scholarship, students will be required to complete all activities outlined in the Student Leader Fellowship award contract, including participation in any Student Leader Fellow meetings, projects, and experiences annually. As first-year students, recipients will be required to get involved in a student organization or co-curricular program. In addition, recipients must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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Application Closed

Criteria: The William A. McClain Center for Diversity offers this award to exceptional and talented students who have been traditionally underrepresented or marginalized on college campuses, and who are culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse. For consideration, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: For consideration, students must:

  • Write an essay reflecting on their lived experiences and how those experiences have influenced their view(s) on diversity and inclusion.
  • If selected, participate in a phone interview with the Director of the William A. McClain Center for Diversity.

Candidates should exhibit strong academic skills, an interest in creating positive change through leadership and advocacy, and a sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion at Wittenberg University.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2024

Expectations: To renew this scholarship, students will be required to complete all activities outlined in the William A. McClain Award for Multicultural Leadership contract, including participation in the extended orientation program, WITT Connected, along with assisting with various multicultural student recruitment initiatives.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@wittenberg.edu or 877-206-0332.

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Application Closed

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